What is the term for releasing medical records without a patient's consent?

The release of medical records without a patient's consent is classified as invasion of privacy. This term refers to the unauthorized disclosure of personal information, which in the context of healthcare, specifically pertains to a patient’s medical records. Patients have a fundamental right to keep their health information confidential, and any breach of this privacy—especially when it involves sensitive health details—constitutes an infringement on that right.

Invasion of privacy emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and the ethical obligation healthcare providers have to protect sensitive patient information. When medical records are disclosed without consent, it not only violates legal statutes such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States, but it can also lead to emotional and psychological distress for the patient.

The other terms listed, such as assault and battery, relate to physical harm or threats of harm against an individual, while negligence involves a breach of duty leading to harm, but does not directly pertain to privacy issues. Thus, the correct identification of the action as invasion of privacy highlights the serious nature of unauthorized disclosures within medical practice.