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Google to Store Patients' Health Records, Raising Concerns
Associated Press ^

Posted on 02/21/2008 2:33:23 AM PST by Southerngl

SAN FRANCISCO — Google Inc. will begin storing the medical records of a few thousand people as it tests a long-awaited health service that's likely to raise more concerns about the volume of sensitive information entrusted to the Internet search leader.

The pilot project to be announced Thursday will involve 1,500 to 10,000 patients at the Cleveland Clinic who volunteered to an electronic transfer of their personal health records so they can be retrieved through Google's new service, which won't be open to the general public.

Each health profile, including information about prescriptions, allergies and medical histories, will be protected by a password that's also required to use other Google services such as e-mail and personalized search tools.

Google views its expansion into health records management as a logical extension because its search engine already processes millions of requests from people trying to find about more information about an injury, illness or recommended treatment.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: google; googlecorrupt; healthcare; medicalrecords; phr
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Don't go Googling your sniffles or symptoms of what a stroke feels like I guess.
1 posted on 02/21/2008 2:33:24 AM PST by Southerngl
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To: Southerngl

So did they ask the patients involved if they want their records stored in this manner?

Oh wait...they don’t own those records the hospital does.


2 posted on 02/21/2008 2:38:55 AM PST by EBH ( ... the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness. --Alculin c.735-804)
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To: Southerngl

Wow, what a staggeringly bad idea. Is search engine technology really an appropriate combination with private health records?


3 posted on 02/21/2008 2:41:02 AM PST by FR Class of 1998 (the long term solution to corruption is to starve the government of money)
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To: Southerngl
Just stay away from doctors. Problem solved.

I've been told you live longer that way too;-P

4 posted on 02/21/2008 2:55:34 AM PST by MrPiper
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To: EBH
So did they ask the patients involved if they want their records stored in this manner?

1,500 to 10,000 patients at the Cleveland Clinic who volunteered to an electronic transfer of their personal health records so they can be retrieved through Google's new service,
5 posted on 02/21/2008 3:21:08 AM PST by boxerblues
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To: Southerngl

My Doc still uses manila file folders and lined paper... He refuses to digitize due to the lack of privacy and possible liability. I appreciate his concern, but he is a dying breed....


6 posted on 02/21/2008 3:47:23 AM PST by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: Southerngl

I’ve said if before, you have to be nuts to sign-up for a g-mail account (or whatever they call it). Whatever you’ve written and to who, they store it. They continue to build files/profiles on people under the auspices of defining customers for targeted advertising. Google “big-breasted redheads” and it goes into your “Horn Dog” tab in their file on you.

I had to send a letter to stop them from opening up one of my books for their search function. In 4-5 searches, you could read the whole book. They stopped, but I’m sure there were undefined damages done to my pocket book.

They are the epitome of “1984.”


7 posted on 02/21/2008 3:52:33 AM PST by toddlintown (Michelle Obama; Teresa Heinz, minus the gin-soaked raisins.)
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To: boxerblues
"...1,500 to 10,000 patients at the Cleveland Clinic who volunteered to an electronic transfer of their personal health records so they can be retrieved through Google's new service..."

Oh STOP it.

This is MUCH more interesting when we can demonize someone. And hospitals, like BIG OIL are such a juicy target because they obviously are out to extract every red cent they can without having to deliver any benefit.

Sheesh, why are you actually READING the article???

8 posted on 02/21/2008 4:04:08 AM PST by rlmorel (Liberals: If the Truth would help them, they would use it.)
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To: toddlintown

>>>>I’ve said if before, you have to be nuts to sign-up for a g-mail account

I don’r entirely disagree, but some of us have thought about the implications of using Gmail (and other Google services) and decided that the price (a certain amount of privacy) is worth the tradeoff (access to some useful Google tools such as Gmail).


9 posted on 02/21/2008 5:21:56 AM PST by angkor
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To: rlmorel
Sheesh, why are you actually READING the article???

Unlike the dolt who signed away all rights to their personal information. Having dealt with the Cleveland Clinic, and having to wait 4 months for test results I wouldn't trust these people to do anything right
10 posted on 02/21/2008 5:39:57 AM PST by boxerblues
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To: Southerngl; All
marx laughs again, as capitalism devoid of morals does exactly what he said it would.

if there were a "sixth column" google would be it.

***

brought to you by the firm that showed anyone who could key in your telephone number an actual arial photograph of your house, your street, your neighborhood....

death-to-databases alert.

11 posted on 02/21/2008 5:45:43 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (unavailable for comment)
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To: FR Class of 1998
once it's on a disk, it's public. period, end of story.

privacy on the ropes again.

12 posted on 02/21/2008 5:46:23 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (unavailable for comment)
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To: Southerngl

They’ll be able to tip off their Chinese buddies who’s in the market for harvested organs.


13 posted on 02/21/2008 5:50:23 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: angkor
don’r entirely disagree, but some of us have thought about the implications of using Gmail (and other Google services) and decided that the price (a certain amount of privacy) is worth the tradeoff (access to some useful Google tools such as Gmail).

I love this argument: "oh yeah, I've decided the tradeoff is worth it, for the benefits..."

I mean, the "argument" might almost be valid for as long as it takes you type it if the email service itself didn's completely suck.

But even if it could read your mail for you and your mind for a reply, and shine your shoes, there is no price that is high enough to compensate for the documentation and dissemination of one's most intimate private information, even if it wasn't guaranteed by the laws of history and human nature to be misused.

Disabuse yourself of this sophistry. It's la-la-libertarian speak, and it's in direct denial of reality.

14 posted on 02/21/2008 5:51:27 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (unavailable for comment)
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To: long hard slogger
Ping. hmmm, what say you?
15 posted on 02/21/2008 6:28:08 AM PST by socialismisinsidious ( The socialist income tax system turns US citizens into beggars or quitters!)
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To: Southerngl

This is great news. While the privacy concerns are valid, the fact that Google is making an attempt to put volunteer’s patient records online is commendable. With the current diversity and proprietory nature of EMR/EHR systems, communication between providers is quite a challenge.

Google’s attempt might well force providers to make some attempts at coming to an agreement on common data terms and might actually achieve what HIPAA hasn’t been able to re: communication between disparate provider s/w systems.


16 posted on 02/21/2008 6:41:27 AM PST by indcons
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To: cbkaty

“My Doc still uses manila file folders and lined paper... He refuses to digitize due to the lack of privacy and possible liability. I appreciate his concern, but he is a dying breed....”

He probably refuses to digitize because the average cost of an EMR implementation is close to $50 000/license and usually requires a change to the provider’s/practice’s workflow. Some healthcare providers are notorious for slow adoption of IT and anything that can accelerate this process is a positive.


17 posted on 02/21/2008 6:45:52 AM PST by indcons
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To: Southerngl

what is it with Google?
these Stalinists are pissing me off!
is there software that will totaly Block Google from even getting near My Computer???


18 posted on 02/21/2008 7:54:48 AM PST by LtKerst (Lt Kerst)
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To: indcons
Some healthcare providers are notorious for slow adoption of IT and anything that can accelerate this process is a positive.

WRONG! I am retired IT (AT&T & BELL LABS) and proud to say hold a US patent for a unique software program with artificial intelligence so I do have some credentials.

I will never trust the democrats or any government agency with regard to private records. Anyone with a high profile or threat to a Clintoon will eventually reap the wrath of those criminals.... Have you forgotten the FBI files?

I can't tell you how often that crew showed up at our door....

19 posted on 02/21/2008 8:24:24 AM PST by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: boxerblues

I am sure there is a nice community group hospital near you that can help you out.


20 posted on 02/21/2008 8:38:56 AM PST by rlmorel (Liberals: If the Truth would help them, they would use it.)
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