« PBS Explores African-American Contributions to History and Society | Main | IRS to Institute Regulation of Tax Return Preparers; Enrolled Agents Already Meet or Exceed New Standards »
Veterans Affairs and Kaiser Permanente Share Electronic Health Information to Improve Care for Veterans
January 6, 2010The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Kaiser Permanente recently launched a pilot medical data exchange program in San Diego using the Nationwide Health Information Network. This innovative pilot enables clinicians from VA and Kaiser Permanente to obtain a more comprehensive view of a patient's health using electronic health record information, including information about health issues, medications, and allergies. "The Department of Veterans Affairs and the entire administration are encouraged by the opportunities that electronic health record interoperability provides for Veterans, Service Members and their dependents," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "We are proud to join in this effort with Kaiser Permanente and to achieve the benefits of health data exchange, including improved quality, patient safety, and efficiency." Led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NHIN provides a technology "gateway" to support interoperability standards and a legal framework for the secure exchange of health information between treating physicians, when authorized by a patient. Full release.