Electronic Health Records: VAs Efforts Raise Concerns about Interoperability Goals and Measures, Duplication with DOD, and Future Plans

Abstract

VA operates one of the nations largest health care systems, serving millions of veterans each year. For almost two decades, the department has undertaken a patchwork of initiatives with DOD to increase interoperability between their respective electronic health record systems. During much of this time, VA has also been planning to modernize its system. While the department has made progress in these efforts, it has also faced significant information technology challenges that contributed to GAOs designation of VA health care as a high risk area.This statement summarizes GAOs August 2015 report (GAO-15-530) on VAs efforts to achieve interoperability with DODs electronic health records system. It also summarizes key content from GAOs reports on duplication, overlap, and fragmentation of federal government programs. Lastly, this statement provides updated information on VAs actions in response to GAOs recommendation calling for an interoperability and electronic health record system plan.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 13, 2016
Accession Number
AD1014105

Entities

People

  • Jacqueline Mai
  • Jennifer Stavros-turner
  • Mark T. Bird
  • Nancy Glover
  • Rebecca Eyler
  • Scott Pettis
  • Valerie C. Melvin

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Application Software
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Governments
  • Graphical User Interface
  • Health Care
  • Health Informatics
  • Health Services
  • Information Exchange
  • Information Systems
  • Personal Information Managers
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics