In CCAR documentation, which practice best protects client privacy while enabling continuity of care?

• A. Disclose information only with informed consent and a documented plan.
• B. Notes may be shared freely among team members.
• C. Include explicit consent for disclosures, documenting it.
• D. Consent for disclosures is optional.

Answer: (C)

Protecting privacy while ensuring coordinated care relies on having explicit, written permission to share information. Explicit consent means the client is clearly informed about exactly what information may be shared, with whom, for what purpose, and for how long, and that this permission is documented in the chart. This written authorization creates a concrete, auditable record that sharing is intentional and limited, which supports both privacy and effective collaboration among care providers.

This approach allows the team to share needed details to maintain continuity of care—such as treatment plans, safety concerns, or medication information—without overstepping confidentiality boundaries. It also protects the client and the team by providing a clear basis for disclosures and a mechanism to revoke or update consent as needed.

Notes being shared freely or consent for disclosures being optional undermine privacy and can lead to inappropriate access to sensitive information. While informed consent and a documented plan are important, they don’t necessarily ensure that every disclosure is explicitly authorized and traceable. Explicit, documented consent for disclosures is the strongest practice for balancing privacy with the realities of coordinated care.