On October 4, Microsoft launched an open beta of HealthVault, a client application plus a Live service that will allow consumers to build and maintain a personal health record.
HealthVault is comprised of a number of different elements: A records database stored in Microsoft-hosted datacenters; one or more Live services providing users and approved health professionals with access to those records; a secure health-focused search engine; and various mechanisms for inputting everything from health-device data, to prescription information into a centralized record repository.
On the main HealthVault dashboard, users will get centralized access to their health-search info, health-record account info, and health-device data.
Powering HealthVault Search is the MedStory engine Microsoft acquired.
On the HealthVault Search site, Microsoft groups data into categories such as “Article Results,” “Web Results,” and “Sponsored Results.” Users will be able to save search results securely for future access, according to Microsoft.
The Connection Center is “a utility you can use to add data to health records in your HealthVault account from health and fitness devices such as heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, peak flow meters, and glucometers.”
At the crux of HealthVault is a user’s health record, comprised of inputs such as electronic forms, user-entered information, search results, device data, imaging and lab results, and more. Microsoft officials said they intend to password protect users’ data and store it on secure servers, as well as encrypt it over secure network connections.
\r\n\r\nWill users trust Microsoft with their medical records? The jury’s still out on that one….
