Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

A valid subpoena duces tecum for health records does not require signatures from the plaintiff and defendant. This is because a subpoena duces tecum, which compels a party to produce documents or evidence for a legal proceeding, is typically issued by a court or an authorized official rather than the parties involved in the case. The authority of the court or issuing official is what legitimizes the subpoena, not the signatures of the parties.

While other components, like including a case docket number or essential details such as date, time, and place of appearance, may be necessary for the subpoena to be effective and enforceable, the lack of requirement for signatures distinguishes this particular type of legal document. The focus is on the judicial authority behind the subpoena rather than the agreement or acknowledgment by the parties involved in the case.