A release of information (ROI) department or division is found in the majority of hospitals.
ROI departments perform such tasks as obtaining patient consent, certifying medical records, and deciding what information can be released.
Special federal regulations protect the release of information in the areas of mental health, drug treatment, and alcohol treatment.
Records of this nature often require either a patient's consent or a court order for their release.
ROI staff must possess a strong acumen for the legal rights of the patient.