IT execs call for HIPAA overhaul in 'Project Nightingale' wake

It could be time for stricter personal health information protection laws in light of Google collecting the data of more than 50 million Americans from provider giant Ascension, health IT experts say. The partnership, called Project Nightingale, came to light last week and involves the nation's second-largest health system sharing data from patients from 21 states with the Mountain View, California-based tech giant — without patient consent or knowledge. In return, Ascension gets access to any software or services Google develops, such as an omnibus search tool integrated into the EHR that aggregates all PHI in one location.