How Electronic Records Transformed Care for Veterans

Ken Kizer is the miracle man of U.S. health care. Mr. Kizer brought in bold reform that transformed the vast and woeful Veterans Health Administration into an efficient, effective model institution with sky-high patient satisfaction. Starting in 1994, it took him five years to reduce costs and increase quality of care, while nearly doubling the number of patients.

The measurable results included a reduction in medication errors and patient deaths.

“What's wrong with expecting the government to do a good job?” he would ask those professing amazement at the change.

Key to the VHA's stunning improvement was the implementation of easily accessible electronic health records (EHRs).