DSS, Inc. Unveils New Acquisition Purchasing Agent Tool to Benefit Veteran Care

Module Simplifies Procurement of Prosthetics with Automated Workflow to Better Manage Reporting Processes, Streamline Ordering and Reduce Associated Costs with Fewer Errors

JUNO BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DSS, Inc., a provider of software, integration, installation, project management, training, support and development of VistA and vxVistA, today announced the availability of its Acquisition Purchasing Agent Tool (APAT). The VistA integrated software module enables the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve management processes and better allocate costs by simplifying the purchasing workflow of items such as prosthetics, orthotics and other sensory aids for veterans, helping ensure patients receive such items more quickly.

“Previous manual purchasing processes were often cumbersome. In addition to the burden this placed on staff resources, the manual approach also required excess storage space for housing paper records,” said Mark Byers, CEO and president of DSS. “We worked closely with contracted VA sites to develop conceptual ideas once we identified this need, and ultimately created a solution to assist the VA in continuing to provide excellent, timely service to veterans.”

APAT automates the entire purchasing process for improved efficiency and streamlined workflow. It also includes electronic bidding and ordering as well as the ability to incorporate scans, indexes and archived paper received from outside vendors, which eliminates redundant searches.

In addition to streamlining purchase agent processes so that veterans receive sensory aids as quickly as possible, the automated processes help the VA:

• Better manage costs with new, efficient reporting features;
• Improve interoperability between departments through note and email attachments; and
• Reduce errors in initial orders through reporting and detailed tracking requests.

“We are committed to providing solutions to help the VA operate more efficiently in order to provide better patient care regardless of the department—clinical or administrative—and rolling out APAT across the VA is another milestone in this ongoing effort,” continued Byers.

To learn more and see a live demonstration of APAT, visit DSS, platinum sponsor, at booth #4050 at the National Veteran Small Business Conference from June 26 – 28, 2012, in Detroit, Michigan.

About DSS, Inc.

DSS, Inc. is a Health Information Technology (HIT) software development and systems integration company that provides an open source Electronic Health Record (EHR), vxVistA, with extensions for behavioral health, radiology, oncology and dentistry, among other specialties. vxVistA is based on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ award-winning VistA system, which is proven to reduce costs and enhance the quality of patient care.

For more than 20 years we have specialized in healthcare IT solutions that improve quality and productivity. In order to support use of open source software in healthcare organizations, DSS is founder and supporter of a community-driven, collaboration environment, www.vxVistA.org, that acts as a forum for discussion and best practices among all VistA users, including clinical and administrative staff, new adopters, C-suite executives and developers. For more information on DSS, Inc., visit www.dssinc.com.