What is the correct action for a specialist upon receiving a subpoena for a patient's medical documentation?

When a specialist receives a subpoena for a patient's medical documentation, the appropriate action is to send only the requested medical information. This ensures compliance with the legal request while also adhering to patient confidentiality and privacy standards. It is critical to provide only the specific records that have been requested, rather than sending all records on file, to protect the patient's sensitive information and avoid disclosing unnecessary data that could violate their privacy rights.

Providing only the requested information minimizes the risk of legal ramifications and maintains professional standards in handling patient information. It also allows for compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, which govern how health information is shared, ensuring that only relevant data is disclosed in response to a legal request.

Consulting with a lawyer or taking a cautious approach before responding might be prudent in certain scenarios but is not the immediate action required in response to a subpoena, as the specialist must first determine exactly what information is being requested to comply appropriately.