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Enterprise Featured Article
May 02, 2008
Technology to Allow Automated Medical Information to Transmit, Store Through Wireless System
By Michael Dinan TMCnet Editor
A medical technology company announced today that implantable devices to measure data such as people’s heart rhythms could soon be used to send health records to doctors and databases.
St. Jude Medical, Inc. is working with Microsoft (News - Alert) Corp. Health Solutions Group to determine how data collected through devices such as implanted defibrillators could safely, accurately and securely transfer patients’ medical information to physicians and personal health records remotely.
The collaboration, between St. Paul, Minnesota-based St. Jude’s Patient Care Network and Microsoft’s HealthVault, could revolutionize the Internet-based consumer health records, according to George J. Fazio, president of St. Jude’s U.S. division.
“This partnership between two industry leaders will give patients and physicians easier access to health records during clinical care," Fazio said. "A centralized, highly secure database with implanted device data, and additional relevant patient information, will allow patients and their physicians to more efficiently manage cardiac conditions."
Microsoft describes its HealthVault as a placed where people collect, store and share health information securely. It was created with oversight from privacy advocates such as the Patient Privacy Rights Foundation, according to Microsoft.
Peter Neupert, Microsoft Health Solutions’ corporate vice president, said the effort is designed to create a tool that health care consumers may use to manage their own health.
“Patients will be able to share more complete health information with their doctors, privately and securely,” Neupert said.
According to St. Jude, the Patient Care Network allows physicians to make the most of their time by providing patients with a convenient and comprehensive alternative to in-office visits. Patient data collected from implant, in-clinic and remote follow-ups are stored in one centralized location, accessed through a secure Web-based system and can be sent directly to a patient’s electronic health record, the company said.
What distinguishes St. Jude’s system from other remote monitoring systems is that it doesn’t only store data for further review, the company said. Rather, the system allows data to be sent directly to a clinic or hospital’s electronic health records, according to St. Jude.
Michael Dinan is a TMCNet Editor. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
