Microsoft, Google, and others provide prescription for protecting online health records

Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have joined with healthcare providers and insurers to lay out ground rules for protecting the privacy of online medical records. The guidelines are designed to reassure patients that they can enjoy the convenience of keeping their medical histories online without worrying that will open a door for outsiders to peruse the data without their knowledge. The "Connecting For Health" guidelines aim to give electronic PHRs at least the same level of protection already governing paper medical records, and also call for patients to be notified in a "timely way" if their medical information is released.