What can dr. williams or her staff say to the mother of the deceased patient when she calls for information?

According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, it is part of their health information privacy to disclose details about the patient's location, general health condition without going deeper into detail and religious affiliations, as long as the caller asks for the patient's name. This is also applicable for emergency cases when the patient is not able to give his consent. However, if the patient is conscious, he would be asked for his preferences. If he wishes for the hospital not to divulge and medical information even to his family, then the hospital should respect it and comply.