An emergency department physician in a hospital in another city is calling to request information to assist in diagnosing and treating an unconscious patient who is alone.

An emergency department physician in a hospital in another city is calling to request information to assist in diagnosing and treating an unconscious patient who is alone. The patient’s driver’s license reveals that he lives in your town. The physician wants to know whether this patient has been treated at your facility (a general acute-care hospital) and, if so, whether the patient has any significant health problems or allergies. The patient’s condition is critical with unknown multiple injuries from a motor vehicle accident. List the steps needed to respond to this request and protect the patient’s privacy.