Final answer:
Protected Health Information shall only be released with the patient's written authorization, in line with HIPAA standards. Informed consent is also a crucial component in research and healthcare, especially involving ethical considerations like patient privacy and the disclosure of sensitive information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Protected Health Information (PHI) should not be released to anyone unless the patient gives written authorization. This requirement is by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which was passed into law in 1996. HIPAA sets the standards for the protection of patient information, mandating that businesses such as insurance companies and healthcare providers maintain strict confidentiality of patient records. The ethical considerations around patient privacy are complex. For instance, when considering whether a patient's privacy rights are more important than a sexual partner's right to know they may be at risk of a sexually transmitted disease, one must weigh numerous factors. However, without the patient's written authorization, contacting a sexual partner could be a violation of HIPAA rules. Researchers also need to ensure they obtain informed consent from their subjects, ensuring compliance with ethical research standards which require full disclosure about the research and how it will be used. In cases involving minors, the situation becomes even more sensitive. Healthcare professionals must navigate the balance between an adolescent's desire for confidentiality and the rights of parents to be informed about their child's health. Nonetheless, PHI cannot be disclosed without proper authorization, which may be provided by parents for minors, per legal and ethical guidelines.