Who has access to patient records when consent is given?

When a patient provides written consent, it establishes the legal foundation for sharing their medical records with specified individuals or entities as designated by the patient. This means that the authorization is not limited to a specific category of individuals, such as immediate family members or emergency personnel. Instead, it allows for a broader access to anyone the patient has chosen to include in their consent.

The significance of written consent is that it empowers patients to control their personal health information and determines who can review their records, which can include healthcare providers, family, or others as per the patient's decision. This approach aligns with patient privacy laws, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which mandates that patient information can only be disclosed following the patient's consent unless there are overriding legal or medical necessities.

In contrast, the other options imply restrictions that do not align with the principle of patient autonomy in consent for record access. For instance, limiting access to immediate family members or emergency personnel only would contradict the notion that patients can designate who can view their medical information as they see fit.