Open Source Helps Spokane Data Exchange Pilot Go Live In Record Time

The use of open source software made it possible to deploy the fourth data exchange pilot between the Department of  Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and private sector medical facilities in record time.

The Spokane Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) went live less than eight weeks after the start of the project. The VLER is intended to provide seamless access to the medical record of veterans and military personnel irregardless of where they receive medical treatment.

The Spokane VLER pilot was built by the Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS) and Harris Healthcare Solutions. INHS and Harris Healthcare Solutions were able to implement the Spokane VLER in less than eight weeks thanks to their use of an open source, commercially supported out-of-the-box solution that was developed by the Nationwide Health Information Network CONNECT project.

Jim Traficant, president of Harris Healthcare Solutions emphasized that the Spokane pilot project has “demonstrated the value of open source, standards-based, flexible technologies that can easily and quickly be implemented for critical health care information sharing projects between the public and commercial sectors."

Over half of America's active duty service members and veterans receive  medical care outside of VA and DoD facilities. For this reason it is essential that private medical facilities be able to exchange clinical records with the VA and DoD in order to provide the best medical care. In addition the VLER also allows the VA and DoD to exchange medical records between their medical facilities.

According to the Secretary of the VA, Eric K. Shinseki, the collaboration and secure exchange of health information over the Internet between federal and private agencies “will enhance our ability to continue providing Veterans with high-quality medical care.”

The INHS network, encompassing the greater Spokane, Washington area, connects 38 hospitals, 450 clinics and physician offices with more than 4,000 physicians, and contains over 3.5 million electronic medical records.