I wrote my comment before I saw the link you provided, which I did read. btw, I see nothing about the directory being “current” with respect to it restricting previously compiled directories of then-current patients. If directory information (that the person was in the hospital and where) is open to the public now, then it would seem logical that hospitals would not restrict past “directories” from the public, especially since the one under discussion was in the hospital library, according to Zullo. At the present time, there is said to be a book compiled by Dr. West that is in the State Archives. It contains information about children that he delivered. How can that information be in the state archives since it refers to medical treatment of individuals who probably are still living?
To understand HIPAA better, look up the “Minimum necessary rule” which says that hospitals must only release the minimum necessary to perform the function. No way you can make the argument that over 50 years later it is “necessary” to release a directory from 1961.
It doesn’t matter what information is already out in the public domain. It doesn’t matter if the patient has already published the information himself. The hospital still can’t release PHI without express permission from the patient.