What destruction method is used for magnetic tape medical records?

The correct answer is demagnitizing. This method specifically addresses the nature of magnetic tape media, which stores data using magnetic patterns. When magnetic tape medical records are no longer needed or require destruction to protect patient confidentiality and comply with data protection regulations, simply shredding or burning may not effectively erase the magnetic information stored on the tape. Demagnitizing, also referred to as degaussing, effectively disrupts and neutralizes the magnetic fields that hold the data, ensuring complete loss of the stored information. This is critical in the healthcare sector, where confidentiality and data security are paramount.

Other methods like shredding or burning are suitable for physical destruction of paper records or other materials but would not ensure the complete destruction of data encoded on magnetic tape. Pulverizing is generally associated with solid materials and wouldn't apply effectively to magnetic tape. Therefore, demagnitizing is the most appropriate and effective method for the secure destruction of magnetic tape medical records.