Releasing Confidential Information:  In certain situations, a signed realease form may not be required for you to share patient information with others.  Some examples are:

When patients are delivered to other healthcare providers, you must relay information about them and their conditions and treatments to provide a complete transfer of care (such as reporting when a paitent is delivered to the emergency department).  Certain incidents require notifying law enforcement, and you must provide appropriate information in those situations.  A police report may be required for animal bites, industrial acceidents, suspected child abuse, rape, or gunshot wounds.  Reporting regulations vary from state to state, check with your local law enforcement agency to find out what incidents must be reported.  Sometimes medical experts can be subpeoned for information.  In this case legal documentation requires you to honor the rules of the court and tell what you know.  As a medical professional you must always follow court orders.  Third party payment is one other time that confidentiality requirements may be different.  It is fairly common for a third party payer such as an insurance company that covers patient expenses.  Often times others besides the patient must submit patient and insurance information.

Always check with your state regulations and also your employer to find out what their expectations are for confidentiality.  This extra step will help to protect you and your job, and also the patient’s that you serve.

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