Electronic Signatures

Article

The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, signed by President Clinton in June, gives electronic signatures the same legal weight as paper signatures. Highlights of the law include the following: consumers must consent to the use of electronic signatures; consumers must be offered the choice of electronic means or pen/paper; and electronic signatures cannot be used to cancel health or life insurance benefits except for annuities. Digital signatures will also reduce paperwork and avoid phone tag with colleagues and other caregivers. However, because of possible inadequacies in security standards, physicians should be cautious. The law makes electronic signatures valid in all 50 states, but health care requires stronger security standards. For more information, visit www.ama-assn.org.

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Brenna Doran PhD, MA, hospital epidemiology and infection prevention for the University of California, San Francisco, and a coach and consultant of infection prevention; Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, director of infection prevention and control for Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Shanina Knighton, associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing and senior nurse scientist at MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio
Brenna Doran PhD, MA, hospital epidemiology and infection prevention for the University of California, San Francisco, and a coach and consultant of infection prevention; Jessica Swain, MBA, MLT, director of infection prevention and control for Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Shanina Knighton, associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing and senior nurse scientist at MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio
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