St Jude Medical and Microsoft to enhance access to health records

St Jude Medical and Microsoft will work with physicians to determine the optimal level of integration (between the Merlin.net Patient Care Network and Microsoft HealthVault) that will allow physicians to efficiently and confidentially share device information with their patients.

Merlin.net PCN is a secure internet-based system that collects and displays information from implantable devices, such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). It stores data that is captured during implant procedures, in-office follow-up visits with physicians and remote follow-up transmissions in patients’ homes. Transmitted data includes reports of irregular heart rhythms and real-time electrograms (EGM) which show patients’ heartbeats at the time of transmission.

George Fazio, president of St Jude Medical US division, said: “This partnership between two industry leaders will give patients and physicians easier access to health records during clinical care. A centralized, highly secure database with implanted device data, and additional relevant patient information, will allow patients and their physicians to more efficiently manage cardiac conditions.”