Final answer:
HIPAA is the act that governs the sharing of patient information between healthcare institutions, ensuring both the privacy and security of patient records.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act that has influenced hospitals' willingness to share patient information across multiple institutions is C) The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA, enacted in 1996, sets standards for the protection of patient information and requires healthcare providers to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records. It allows for the sharing of health information for treatment and healthcare operations but with stipulations to ensure privacy and security.
The act that has influenced hospitals' willingness to share patient information across multiple institutions is The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA, passed into law in 1996, sets the standards for the protection of patient information. It requires businesses that use health information, such as insurance companies and healthcare providers, to maintain strict confidentiality of patient records.