James is excited to obtain employment at a large practice in the suburbs. His position is titled “assistant release of i

[answerhappygod]

James is excited to obtain employment at a large practice in the
suburbs. His position is titled “assistant release of information
clerk.” He is responsible for obtaining appropriate patient release
of information to process requests for information from third
parties (e.g., payers, attorneys, providers, and so on). James is
responsible for applying all state and federal laws to the release
of health care information. He received training about the
practice’s policies and procedures for appropriately releasing
patient information, including requirements that he:
When James arrived at work, he was eager to learn as much as
possible about his new position and to actually be working in his
chosen profession. His team leader, Teresa, went on her lunch break
at a time that is normally busy for the release of information
section. At first, it was quiet, and James reviewed his notes about
official policies and procedures related to the release of
information. He felt ready to answer any questions in the absence
of his team leader.
James heard a person walk to the front counter. The person was
an older gentleman, quite well dressed and very tall. He said he
was there to pick up his wife’s medical records. James was able to
find the records. Upon review of the release of information signed
by the patient, it appeared that the patient had authorized her
husband to pick up her records. Prior to handing over a copy of the
records, James asked the gentleman for identification to verify
that he was indeed the patient’s husband. The gentleman said he had
left his wallet in his car, and he was late for an appointment. He
was impatient and muttered that it was ridiculous since everything
was signed and in order; so, he had every right to pick up his
wife’s records. The gentleman grabbed the manila envelope out of
James’ hand and quickly left. James was quite distraught over this
incident.
When Teresa returned from lunch she saw he was upset. After
James told her what happened, her face dropped. “You are never
supposed to give out patient records without a valid patient
authorization and photo identification.”
What steps to the practice's release of information policy and
procedure did James forget to follow, and why are they
important?