The News General DM News US veterans' health records exchanged electronically with private health sector to aid treatment
11 January 2010
The US Department of Veterans Affairs and Kaiser Permanente are working together to electronically share veterans' electronic health records to help aid their healthcare.
More than half of America's veterans and active duty service members receive some portion of their healthcare outside of VA or government facilities, so interoperability between federal agencies and the private sector is seen as essential to provide the best care for veterans, service members, and their dependents.
US Department of Veterans Affairs and Kaiser Permanente have launched a pilot medical data exchange program in San Diego using the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN). The pilot enables clinicians from VA and Kaiser Permanente to obtain a more comprehensive view of a patient’s health using electronic health record (EHR) information, including information about health issues, medications and allergies.
Led by the US Department of Health and Human Services, the NHIN provides a technology “gateway” to support interoperability standards and a legal framework for the secure exchange of health information between treating physicians, when authorised by a patient.
Clinicians from the participating organisations can electronically share authorised patient data, ensuring around-the-clock access to critical health information. This immediate electronic access supports increased accuracy, efficiency and safety, said the partners. It also helps to avoid redundant care and testing.
“Instant access to critical health data can greatly improve not only the care and service for individual patients, but also reduce redundancy and waste in health care, saving precious resources for care delivery,” said John Mattison, MD, assistant medical director and chief medical information officer at Kaiser Permanente Southern California.
“The Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraged by the opportunities that electronic health record interoperability provides for veterans, service members and their dependents,” said secretary of veterans affairs Eric Shinseki.
Ultimately, the EHR interoperability programme is planned to be made available to all veterans and service members across the US.
