DOD, VA Consider More Integration for EHR systems, VA Official Says

The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are considering creating a joint electronic health record (EHR) system as one of many options, a top VA official said today. A single integrated system “is an option that both agencies would consider, but it is not the only option,” said Roger Baker, VA’s assistant secretary for information and technology, in a conference call with reporters.

“The most important thing is to both look at the paths forward and to do it in the best way,” Baker said. The departments have different needs, populations and locations to consider, he added.

Bake said DOD and VA have been holding "a series of productive discussions" on how to proceed on their modernization goals for DOD's AHLTA and VA's VistA EHR systems. DOD officials recently said they are planning on developing a new record system, to be known as the EHR Way Ahead, with a decision due next year.

VA and DOD are also collaborating on several projects that involve partial integration of their EHR systems.

In Chicago, the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center opened Oct. 1 and is preparing to begin operations with partially integrated IT systems from VA and the Navy. “We will go live with the IT systems on Nov. 30,” Baker said.