In which situation is it permissible to release information from a patient's records?

The release of information from a patient's records is legally permitted when a court requests it by means of a subpoena. A subpoena is a legal document that orders an individual to testify or produce evidence, such as medical records, in a legal proceeding. This process is governed by laws that protect patient confidentiality while also ensuring that relevant information can be made available in the interest of justice.

In contrast, requests made by an attorney, a patient's employer, or a friend do not typically meet the necessary legal standards for releasing protected health information without the patient's consent. Attorneys must usually have a valid reason related to a legal case, and even then, proper procedures must be followed. Employers may not have the right to access medical records without the patient's explicit permission, and friends do not have the authority to access such private information without the patient's consent. Thus, only a court's subpoena provides the legal authority required to release patient information in a manner that complies with healthcare privacy laws.