What is essential for a licensee to ensure during practice concerning medical records?

In the practice of optometry, maintaining the confidentiality and security of medical records is a fundamental ethical and legal obligation. Storing records in a secure location ensures that sensitive patient information is protected from unauthorized access and breaches of privacy. Security measures could include physical safeguards such as locked cabinets or digital tools like encrypted databases.

By ensuring that medical records are securely stored, licensees comply with regulations and guidelines that govern patient privacy, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Protecting patient information helps to build trust between practitioners and patients and is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system.

The other options do not address the primary concern of security and confidentiality in handling medical records. For instance, publishing records online or sharing them with patients without adequate precautions could compromise their privacy. Similarly, while availability on demand is important for providing timely care, it must not come at the cost of compromising the security of those records.