California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) Practice Test

The correct answer is that the patient's medical record belongs to the hospital, but it contains information that is the property of the patient. While health care providers, including nurses and physicians, play significant roles in creating and maintaining medical records, it is the healthcare facility (hospital, clinic, etc.) that owns the actual physical or electronic record. It's important to understand that even though the facility owns the record, patients have rights regarding their health information, including the right to access and obtain copies of their records.

This distinction is crucial in medical practice as it underlines the ethical and legal responsibilities institutions have in managing patient information. It reinforces the idea that while patient data is collected and documented by healthcare professionals, the ownership and ultimate control over that information rest with the healthcare organization that provides services to the patient.