Under what condition can patient information be released to a third party?

The correct answer indicates that patient information can be released to a third party with written consent from the patient. This aligns with essential privacy laws and ethical standards in healthcare, including regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, which emphasizes the importance of protecting patient confidentiality. Written consent provides a clear, documented agreement from the patient, ensuring that they understand what information is being shared, with whom, and for what purpose. This level of consent helps safeguard patient autonomy and promotes trust in the healthcare provider-patient relationship.

Other options involve scenarios that don't meet the stringent requirements for protecting patient information. Verbal consent, for example, may lack the necessary documentation and clarity, making it less secure. Releasing information without any need for consent would violate privacy laws and ethical guidelines completely. Consent from a family member does not suffice unless the patient has designated that family member to make decisions on their behalf or if they are a legally authorized representative. Thus, written consent is the safest and most compliant approach for releasing patient information to third parties.