IBM teams up with Google on health software

CALIFORNIA, USA: IBM is teaming up with Google Inc on software to move data from remote personal medical devices into Google Health and other personal health records (PHRs), IBM said on Thursday.

Patients will be able to exchange health information with their doctors and other health services professionals in real-time by using the IBM software.

"Once stored in a PHR, the data can also be shared with physicians and other members of the extended care network at a user's discretion," IBM said in a statement.

Google Health, which was launched last May, allows users to store, manage, and share their medical records and personal health information online.

"Our partnership with IBM will help both providers and users gain access to their device data in a highly simplified and automated fashion," Sameer Samat, director for Google Health, said in a statement.

IBM competes with companies including Hewlett-Packard Co, Microsoft Corp and Oracle Corp.