The healthcare industry faces a significant challenge: managing incredibly complex health information. From misspellings and varied terminology to handwritten notes and outdated communication methods like faxes, the sheer volume and disorganization of patient data can hinder effective care. Furthermore, the lack of seamless communication between different Healthcare IT systems prevents doctors and nurses from delivering the best possible patient care.
Recognizing these critical issues, global policymakers and regulatory bodies, including organizations like CMS, HHS, NHS, and EC, have emphasized the urgent need for improved healthcare interoperability. At Google Cloud, we are committed to addressing this challenge by developing systems built on interoperable standards. Our goal is to provide Health Care Providers Tools that streamline workflows and enhance patient care.
To effectively serve health care providers, these tools must operate on patient records. This necessity has raised questions, particularly concerning our partnership with Ascension, prompting us to clarify our data handling practices. It’s crucial to understand that our commitment to data privacy and security is paramount.
As previously stated, our operations strictly adhere to patient data handling regulations. Our Business Associate Agreement with Ascension guarantees that patient data is exclusively used to provide our services and is never utilized for advertising or any other secondary purposes. We reinforce this commitment through robust data encryption and isolation methods in the cloud, detailed in our publicly available white paper on data security.
To ensure the safety and efficacy of our tools for healthcare professionals at Ascension and beyond, it is essential for our team members to interact with patient data in a controlled environment. We implement rigorous controls for the limited number of Google employees who may access identifiable patient data:
- Our system development and testing are conducted using synthetic, anonymized data and publicly accessible datasets, minimizing exposure to real patient information during initial phases.
- For configuration, testing, tuning, and ongoing maintenance within clinical settings, a select group of vetted and qualified Google personnel may require limited exposure to real patient data. These individuals undergo comprehensive HIPAA and medical ethics training and receive explicit, time-bound approval from partners like Ascension.
- We employ advanced technical controls to bolster data privacy. Access to patient data is restricted to a strictly controlled environment with comprehensive audit trails. These safeguards are engineered to prevent data leakage and ensure all access is meticulously monitored and auditable.
- We are actively prioritizing the development of innovative technologies aimed at minimizing the number of engineers requiring access to patient data, mirroring our advancements in external redaction technology.
- We proactively engage in external certifications such as ISO 27001. Independent third-party auditors rigorously assess our processes, including the information security controls we have in place for these vital health care providers tools.
Reflecting on my medical career since graduating in 1989, I’ve witnessed remarkable advancements in healthcare. However, this progress has also introduced challenges, notably information overload, which can inadvertently detract from the essential doctor-patient relationship. I firmly believe that technology, particularly through well-designed health care providers tools, holds the key to reversing this trend, optimizing care delivery, and ultimately, saving lives by empowering healthcare professionals to focus on what matters most – their patients.
