What is required for the protection of health records under HIPAA?

The correct choice emphasizes the need for security measures encompassing all formats of health records—this includes physical, electronic, and verbal forms. HIPAA establishes that health records must be adequately protected irrespective of how information is stored or transmitted. This concept is central to maintaining patient confidentiality and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Mandatory training for all staff, while important for ensuring that employees are aware of privacy protocols, is just one component of comprehensive protection and does not encompass the full range of necessary security actions. Physical security measures alone, as suggested, do not address the encryption and safeguarding of electronic records or the appropriate handling of verbal communication regarding health information. Lastly, while regular audits can help ensure adherence to policies, they are not a standalone requirement for the protection of health records. Instead, they serve as a monitoring tool within a broader security framework designed to safeguard health information in all its forms.