01 Dec VA, Kaiser plan to link electronic medical records
The Department of Veterans Affairs and Kaiser Permanente are launching a pilot program to exchange electronic health record information using the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) created by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The pilot program slated to begin mid-December 2009, will connect Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect and the VA’s electronic health record system, VistA, two of the largest EHR systems in the country.
Officials said starting this week, VA and Kaiser Permanente will send a joint letter to Veterans in the San Diego area who receive care from both institutions, to invite Veterans to participate in the pilot program. Veterans, who respond and ask to participate, will enable their public and private sector healthcare providers and doctors to share specific health information electronically.
“The ability to share critical health information is essential to interoperability,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki. “Utilizing the NHIN’s standards and network will allow organizations like VA and the Department of Defense to partner with private sector health care providers to promote better, faster and safer care for Veterans.”
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