The process of allowing something to go out.
A giving up of a legal claim or right, to the person against whom the claim could have been asserted. For example, when a malpractice case is settled, the injured patient signs a release freeing the physician and hospital from any further liability for the injury, in exchange for the money paid in the settlement.
A document that, if signed by the patient or the patient’s legal representative, permits the treating health care provider to perform certain procedures (e.g., surgery, anesthesia, blood transfusion, removal of tissues or fluids for analysis). In addition to being signed by the patient, the release should also be signed by a witness. Most releases have a notation indicating the applicable time of the release.