What is the primary purpose of medical records release documents?

The primary purpose of medical records release documents is to authorize the disclosure of a patient's medical information. These documents serve as formal consent from the patient, allowing healthcare providers to share specific information with designated individuals or organizations. The release must be clear about which records are to be disclosed, to whom, and for what purpose, ensuring that the patient's confidentiality and rights are maintained throughout the process. This authorization is essential for compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, which govern the protection and sharing of personal health information.

While the other options relate to aspects of patient rights, liability, or tracking patient care history, they do not capture the direct function of the release documents, which is specifically focused on granting permission for the sharing of sensitive information.