Information Technology: VA and DOD Are Making Progress in Sharing Medical Information, but Remain Far from Having Comprehensive Electronic Medical Records

Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) are engaged in ongoing efforts to share medical information, which is important in helping to ensure high-quality health care for active-duty military personnel and veterans. These efforts include a long-term program to develop modernized health information systems based on computable data: that is, data in a format that a computer application can act on--for example, to provide alerts to clinicians of drug allergies. In addition, the departments are engaged in short-term initiatives involving existing systems. GAO was asked to summarize its recent testimony on the history and current status of these long- and short-term efforts to share health information. To develop that testimony, GAO reviewed its previous work, analyzed documents, and interviewed VA and DOD officials about current status and future plans.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 18, 2007
Accession Number
AD1158068

Entities

People

  • Barbara Collier
  • Barbara Oliver
  • Glenn Spiegel
  • Valerie C. Melvin

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Brain Injuries
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Governments
  • Health Care
  • Health Informatics
  • Health Services
  • Information Exchange
  • Information Systems
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Personnel Management
  • Pharmacies
  • Physical Disabilities
  • Project Management
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Medical or Health Care Field.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics