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Federal subpoenas are classified as court orders in relation to the release of health records. This classification underscores the legal authority granted by the court system, which compels the health records custodian or healthcare provider to produce specific documents or information, including protected health information.

A subpoena is a formal legal document that mandates compliance, and it is issued by a legal authority such as a judge or grand jury, thereby establishing it as a part of the judicial process. This process ensures that there is a legitimate legal basis for requesting such sensitive information, protecting the rights of both the individuals whose records are being accessed and the institutions responsible for safeguarding these records.

Other classifications, such as internal memoranda, informal requests, or patient consent forms, do not possess the same level of legal authority or requirement for compliance as a court order does. Internal memoranda are typically used for communication within an organization and do not hold any legal standing in requiring the release of health records. Informal requests may lack the necessary legal framework to compel action, while patient consent forms represent the individual's authorization rather than a directive from the court.