Which of the following may be considered an improper disclosure of protected health information?

The correct choice encompasses all scenarios presented, which are all potentially deemed as improper disclosures of protected health information (PHI).

Releasing records for legal purposes without patient authorization is significant because the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates that any disclosure of PHI requires patient consent unless specific exceptions apply. The lack of authorization undermines patient privacy, therefore qualifying it as an improper disclosure.

Accidentally releasing the wrong patient's records also constitutes improper disclosure. Even if the information is released unintentionally, it still represents a violation of confidentiality and trust. Under HIPAA, covered entities are responsible for safeguarding PHI, and inadvertently sharing the records of another patient breaches this responsibility.

Releasing treatment dates not authorized refers to sharing specific details about a patient’s medical history without their consent. While some minimal information may be disclosed under certain circumstances, unauthorized sharing of specific treatment dates can violate HIPAA regulations and the patient's right to control their health information.

Given that each option illustrates a clear violation of PHI privacy regulations, it is appropriate to conclude that all scenarios mentioned could collectively represent improper disclosures of protected health information.