Can Google set the standard for EMRs?

Implications: With a plethora of expensive Electronic Medical Record (EMR) programs on the market, the lack of a standard or interoperability has kept many practices on the sidelines.  Moreover, systems that do use EMRs, often cannot exchange that information with other EMRs. Google could leverage its technology, and brand, to entice the myriad small groups and practices to use their service.  If the price is low enough, even some large users could switch to the Google platform.

Analysis: EMRs are an inevitability in the management of medical information.  While there are several programs available, they all share two common problems.  They tend to be quite expensive, and they usually lack interoperability--they don't talk to each other!

While many large health care systems have implemented EMRs, quite of a bit of the medical community still consists of small shops that have not yet embraced an EMR.

Google may offer a low-cost way for these groups to get into the EMR game.  The article states that Google has not indicated how it would earn money from this service.  Would it be a direct charge to the health care provider or patient?  Or would it be advertising-based, similar to Google mail?

Google also offers a trusted brand in the world of search, so that may help medical practices embrace the product.  If enough practices embrace Google, and if the cost is low enough to attract established buyers, then Google could become the de facto standard in EMRs.