Which document is required to disclose an adult patient’s information to an authorized party?

• A. A signed release from the patient
• B. A court order
• C. Verbal request from staff
• D. A sign-in sheet

Answer: (A)

Written authorization is needed to release an adult patient’s health information to a specified recipient. A signed release documents the patient’s consent, naming who may receive what information, for what purpose, and for how long. This protects patient privacy under HIPAA by ensuring disclosure only occurs with the patient’s explicit written consent. A court order can compel disclosure but isn’t the usual authorizing document for routine sharing. Verbal requests aren’t sufficient because they lack a written record, and a sign-in sheet doesn’t authorize disclosure and can expose confidential information.