How do you respond to a person about someone you serve but there is no release of information?

How do you respond to a person about someone you serve but there is no release of information?

• A. I can tell you everything you want to know
• B. I can't discuss any information
• C. I will disclose only to authorized personnel
• D. I can neither confirm nor deny

Answer: (D)

Protecting confidentiality means you never reveal or even hint at whether a specific person you serve is a client when there’s no signed release. The appropriate response is to state that you cannot confirm or deny anything about the person. This neutral stance prevents disclosing sensitive information while avoiding implying details about the client’s status. If the requester needs information, you can offer general information about the program or explain how to obtain information with a proper release or through authorized personnel. The other options would either disclose information, overstate what you can share, or presume there’s a release when there isn’t.

Protecting confidentiality means you never reveal or even hint at whether a specific person you serve is a client when there’s no signed release. The appropriate response is to state that you cannot confirm or deny anything about the person. This neutral stance prevents disclosing sensitive information while avoiding implying details about the client’s status.

If the requester needs information, you can offer general information about the program or explain how to obtain information with a proper release or through authorized personnel. The other options would either disclose information, overstate what you can share, or presume there’s a release when there isn’t.