Which situations permit the use and disclosure of PHI without written patient consent but allow for patient objection?

The correct choice highlights situations in which healthcare providers can use and disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) without obtaining written consent from the patient, while still allowing the patient the opportunity to object to such uses.

With respect to the patient directory, healthcare organizations can include information about patients in their directories for purposes such as informing visitors that a patient is present, providing room numbers, and sharing the patient's general condition. However, patients do have the right to request that their information not be included in this directory, providing them an avenue to object to this disclosure.

Additionally, notifications to relatives fall under similar standards. When a healthcare provider needs to notify a family member or friend about a patient’s condition or location, the provider can do so without written consent, as long as the patient is given a chance to object. This respects patient privacy while still allowing for essential communication in certain contexts.

In contrast, the other choices (like law enforcement and public health activities) often pertain to disclosures that are more mandated by law and do not typically allow for patient objection. Similarly, judicial proceedings involve disclosures that are subject to legal requirements, which generally override patient preferences regarding consent. Public health activities may also not involve the same consideration for patient objection, as they often focus