HIPAA News

Quest Diagnostics and Google Empower Patients and Physicians to Share Diagnostic Test Results Online

(May 27, 2008)-- Patients and physicians have a new way to share diagnostic laboratory data online, thanks to Quest Diagnostics and Google Health, a product launched today by Google. More than 100,000 physicians in the U.S. who use Quest Diagnostics' family of Care360 connectivity products will be able to securely provide diagnostic data with a brief explanation of test results to a patient's Google Health Account, where a patient can maintain medical records and personal health information online.

The new product is expected to empower patients and physicians to collaborate more closely in making more well-informed health care decisions based on diagnostic information. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the a leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, serving half of all physicians and hospitals in the U.S. and analyzing test results for more than 500,000 patients every day. Quest Diagnostics is the only diagnostic testing company collaborating with Google to launch Google Health.

"Diagnostic testing is the foundation of a patient's health record and a key driver of the health care decisions physicians make on behalf of their patients," said Stephen C. Suffin, M.D., interim chief laboratory officer and corporate medical director, clinical pathology, Quest Diagnostics. "Using Google Health, physicians will be able to more efficiently share important diagnostic data with their patients. As patients become better informed and proactive in managing their health care, they may be more likely to practice preventive care, adopt healthful behaviors and practice other measures that promote improved medical outcomes."

Google Health allows users to store, organize and manage their medical records and personal health information online. The collaboration will enable physicians who use Quest Diagnostics' Care360  patient-centric physician portal to securely transfer, at a patient's request, diagnostic data in a HIPAA-compliant format into the patient's protected Google Health Account. Using Google's secure technology platform, patients will be able to use their account to access current and historical diagnostic laboratory records that include brief electronic messages from their physicians about test results.

Quest Diagnostics and Google established their collaboration because the companies share the same vision of giving patients greater access to personal health information so they can make more informed decisions about their care. The companies first announced their collaboration in February 2008, when Google announced a pilot of Google Health with a large delivery system. The product is publicly available to all U.S. users starting today.

According to The Markle Foundation, two in three Americans (65 percent) would like to access all of their medical information electronically to ensure accuracy, improve doctor-patient communications and help prevent medical errors. Two-thirds (68 percent) also said having health and medical information accessible online gives them more control over their own health.

Google Health complements Quest Diagnostics' commitment to physician- and patient-focused solutions. These include an option for patients to schedule diagnostic testing online and access to a comprehensive health library, available at www.questdiagnostics.com. In addition, its Care360 family of connectivity products allow physicians to access diagnostic test results online, share clinically relevant information in a HIPAA-compliant manner and electronically prescribe medications.

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