Health Information Management

Privacy concerns mount over Google, Cleveland Clinic PHR pilot

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, March 3, 2008

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

Google, Inc.T, will begin storing the medical records of several thousand Cleveland Clinic patients in a pilot project that is already causing concerns regarding the volume of sensitive data entrusted to the popular Internet search engine, according to a February 21 Associated Press (AP) article.

The pilot will involve 1,500 to 10,000 patients who volunteered have their personal health records (PHRs) electronically transferred for retrieval through Google, the AP reported. The project will not be open to the general public.

Health profiles will include information about allergies, medical histories, and prescriptions. Password protection will be similar to that required for use of other Google services, such as e-mail and personalized search tools, the article stated.

Google already processes millions of requests for health information and views this expansion into health records management as a logical move, but the venture is raising concerns among those who think Google already knows too much about its users' interests and habits, the AP reported.

For more information, click here.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

Comments

0 comments on “Privacy concerns mount over Google, Cleveland Clinic PHR pilot

 

  • Briefings on APCs

    Worried about the complexities of the new rules under OPPS and APCs? Briefings on APCs helps you understand the new rules...

  • Medical Records Briefing

    Guiding Health Information Management professionals through the continuously changing field of medical records and toward a...

  • Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies

    Submitting improper Medicare documentaion can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers...

  • Briefings on HIPAA

    How can you minimize the impact of HIPAA? Subscribe to Briefings on HIPAA, your health information management resource for...

  • APCs Weekly Monitor

    This HTML-based e-mail newsletter provides weekly tips and advice on the new ambulatory payment classifications regulations...

Most Popular

Related Articles