G Health, Google’s new Health Service

Los Angeles - The Internet giant Google announced today the launch of its new and controversial service, Google Health, which allows users to archive and access their medical records through the web.

The objective of this product is giving patients control over their medical records, including X-rays taken at different hospitals, and the ability of accessing it from any computer in the world, which could speed up diagnosis and treatment.

“How many of us saw or touch our own medical records?, Isn’t it crazy the fact that we do not have a copy of our medical records under our control?”, Wondered Marissa Mayer, vice president of Search Products from Google.

The step taken by the company, which assured that their health service will not be sponsored, originated many reluctance by potential risks to privacy of the patients. According to the company, profitability will come through increasing the flow of visitors to other pages on Google.

Google Health will be an open system to other companies or institutions who want to provide direct services to consumers, such as tables or medication reminders for vaccines, but the access to personal data will require the express consent of the patient.

The system was tested in more than 1,300 volunteers from U.S Cleveland Hospital Clinic, with complete satisfaction by the company that will partner with pharmaceutical and research companies such as Walgreens, Longs Drugs and Quest Diagnostics, said the statement.