After a patient authorization is signed, Vermont's new "global consent" policy will allow any physician connected to Vermont's Health Information Exchange to view the patient's information, even if the physician is not providing treatment or care to the patient, according to a Vermont Public Radio report.
Supporters of the new policy argue it is beneficial to patients because it reduces the number of forms each patient must sign when they go to their physicians' offices, and it is more secure than the traditional system of keeping patient files and information in paper form in the office, according to the report.
Opponents of the global consent policy argue there is nothing stopping unauthorized physicians and their staff from viewing any patient's record, according to the report.
Even with opposition, the global consent policy is set to take effect this summer when
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