Thursday, February 21, 2008

Google Goes for EMR Market

Filed under: Informatics

In its continuing, relentless attempt to collect all the world's information, Google is betting on being a big player in the electronic medical records (EMR) market. (This new push by Google is in addition to its ability to scan your emails, record your browsing history, photograph your house from above and from the street, and more.) Collaborating with the Cleveland Clinic, Google will be running a pilot program testing its version of EMR software. Though Cleveland Clinic already uses MyChart, the hospital's own proprietary system, they will be offering up to 10,000 patients to sign up for Google's offerings.

The pilot, an invitation-only opportunity offered to a group of Cleveland Clinic PHR users, plans to enroll between 1,500 and 10,000 patients.

It will test secure exchange of patient medical record data such as prescriptions, conditions and allergies between their Cleveland Clinic PHR to a secure Google profile in a live clinical delivery setting. The ultimate goal of this patient-centered and controlled model is to give patients the ability to interact with multiple physicians, healthcare service providers and pharmacies.

"Patients are more proactively managing their own healthcare information," said C. Martin Harris, M.D., Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Clinic. "At Cleveland Clinic, we strive to participate in and help to advance the national dialogue around a more efficient and effective national healthcare system."

"Utilizing Cleveland Clinic’s PHR expertise, this collaboration is intended to help Google test features and services that will ultimately allow all Americans (as patients) to direct the exchange of their medical information between their various providers without compromising their privacy," he added.

The pilot will eventually extend Cleveland Clinic’s online patient services to a broader audience while enabling the portability of patient data so patients can take their data with them wherever they go — even outside the Cleveland Clinic Health System.

Press release: Cleveland Clinic Collaborates With Google to Enhance Patients' Healthcare Experience

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replies: 4 comments
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Can you imagine the amount of money in advertisement Google could make if this ever became public. Targeted drug advertising to people with specific medical conditions on certain drugs. It would be amazingly devious.

Under the headline “Google health guide” this explanation follows: “When you add some information to your profile, Google Health will search trusted medical sources and create a health guide targeted for you. ... Google Health will check for relevant updates to your guide whenever you add new information to the profile.” You can use the health guide, Google writes, to learn about drug interactions, treatments, tests and preventive measures.


Posted by:
on February 21, 2008 03:51 PM GMT

I agree that the potential benefit of these personel medical record systems out weigh the privacy risk, and I am sure more laws will be passed. But for my money I would never trust Microsoft with this given its track record with windows and Google has stumbled around now trying to team up with a big burecratic health system. For my money I am sticking to the smaller companies like http://www.medicalrecords247.com to have the most relevant and easy to use system


Posted by: Kevin Jones
on February 24, 2008 08:09 PM GMT

People is really sensible to the confidentiality of their medical data. It is critical information.

The danger with Google Health and HealthVault is that somebody in the future crack their security systems.

Also the fact about a private company getting data about your health must concern us.

There is an alternative, http://www.keyose.com/, designed by the doctor that described the first case of Wiiitis, its philosophy is based on total anonymous users. A smart mechanism allows the store of clinical record without asking you any personal data (not even your email).

Confidentiality is in such a way assured.


Posted by: Dr Julio Bonis
on February 26, 2008 08:58 AM GMT

I work for a company called Practice Fusion, and I�d like to clear up a few things about Electronic Medical Records.
There is a lot of skepticism surrounding the security and quality of EMRs, especially applications that are free and web-based. Costly applications want you to believe that you must pay for quality. However, there are many high-quality and free, web-based applications out there. Google Apps. is just one example. I can honestly say that we deliver the best product and support at absolutely no cost, and with no on-site implementation. And that is why we are one of the fastest growing physician practice communities in the United States. We have outstanding technical support, and we pride ourselves on our �Live in Five� process which allows us to get users started within five minutes of calling. If you are interested in learning more about Practice Fusion, you can check out our free EMR. Also, take a look at what others have to say about us: http://www.fiercehealthit.com/innovators/2007/practicefusion, http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=4670, and http://blogs.zdnet.com/Stewart/?p=774
If you prefer, you can visit the website and take a demo with a Practice Fusion team member. Give us a call at 415-346-7700.


Posted by: taylor
on June 16, 2008 04:59 PM GMT

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