Microsoft Corp. has launched an online health-care service designed to help patients take control of their health records and monitor their medical conditions.
Microsoft’s HealthVault, announced Thursday in Washington, D.C., will allow users to store and share health records online, to collect and manage health data on a variety of home devices, and to search for health information.
The HealthVault applications, available for free on the HealthVault Web site, are designed to allow patients to share their information safely and easily with health-care providers and manage their health issues, such as weight loss and long-term diseases, Microsoft said.
The three pieces of HealthVault include:
— HealthVault Search, a specialized search engine designed to give the most relevant online health content and connect results with HealthVault-compatible products.
— The HealthVault repository account, an encrypted online e-health record that users and their families can share with doctors.
— The HealthVault Connection Center, a place where users can find “plug-and-play” drivers for health monitoring devices such as diabetes meters and heart-rate monitors to connect to the HealthVault accounts.
The HealthVault was developed in cooperation with privacy advocates, including the bipartisan Coalition for Patient Privacy, Microsoft said. Dr. Deborah Peel, founder of the Patient Privacy Rights Foundation, praised the company for privacy controls on the service, including the prohibition of data transfer without “explicit” informed consent.
Microsoft said more than 40 applications and devices will work with HealthVault now or in the near future.
Partners offering applications or devices that will work with HealthVault include: American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association; American Lung Association; Diet.com; Eclipsys Corp.; Healthphone Solutions Ltd.; LifeScan Inc.; Medifast Inc.; NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital; NoMoreClipboard.com; Texas Instruments Inc.; US Wellness Inc.; and Vital Data Technology.
