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| Google developed a healthy algorithm |
Google and HCA have reached an agreement regarding access to patient records. The company has 181 hospitals and more than 2,000 healthcare sites in 21 states.
As a result, this tech company could develop healthy algorithms, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
Google stores anonymous data from patient records and online medical devices.
This data is used to create procedures that doctors can use to make medical decisions.
The Wall Street Journal described the deal as several years, but did not disclose the number of years.
In recent years, with the digitization of health records, hospitals and technology companies have been looking for ways to take advantage of the vast amounts of digital medical information collected with each visit to the doctor.
Microsoft and Amazon also work with hospitals to analyze their patient information.
Google and Health:
Google previously worked with Ascension Health System to collect patient records on a secret project called Project Nightingale.
The company has been criticized for starting the project for failing to pass this business on to patients and doctors.
HCA is a big plus for Google as its facilities can handle 5% of US hospital services, or about 30 million patient interactions annually.
In addition to using this data to develop algorithms, Google can also independently create healthcare tools and then pass them to HCA for independent testing.
"We want to push the boundaries of real-time computing for clinicians," Chris Sakloski, CEO of Google Cloud Healthcare and Life Sciences, told the Wall Street Journal.
US healthcare privacy laws allow hospitals to share information with contractors.
Researchers were able to analyze patient data without the patient's explicit permission.
Healthcare companies can use this information in any way they see fit, including increasing their profits.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, HCA generated $ 3.75 billion in profits in 2020.
NNU said in February the company was prioritizing sales over patient and employee safety.
NNU reported a staff shortage and a decrease in personal protective equipment.