Google to store Cleveland Clinic medical records

A long-awaited test of Google's medical record storage service will involved between 1,500 to 10,000 volunteer patients at the Cleveland Clinic. (Source: "Google to store Cleveland Clinic patient records," Associated Press, Feb. 21, 2008.) These patients will have their medical records electronic transfered into 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." However, privacy watch groups have raised concerns about Google's expansion into the electronic medical record business.