Electronic Health Records: DOD and VA Have Increased Their Sharing of Health Information, but More Work Remains

• Main Authors: Melvin, Valerie C, Oliver, Barbara S, Collier, Barbara, Shaw, Kelly, Williams, Jr, Robert
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration and Management; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE; ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING; HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT; INFORMATION EXCHANGE; INFORMATION SHARING; INTEROPERABILITY; Medical Facilities, Equipment and Supplies; Military Forces and Organizations; RECORDS MANAGEMENT; SHARING

Under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are required to accelerate the exchange of health information between the departments and to develop systems or capabilities that allow for full interoperability (generally, the ability of systems to use data that are exchanged) and that are compliant with federal standards. The act also established a joint interagency program office to act as a single point of accountability for the effort, whose function is to implement such systems or capabilities by September 30, 2009. Further, the act required that GAO semi-annually report on the progress made in achieving these goals. For this first report, GAO describes the departments' progress to date in sharing electronic health information, developing electronic health records that comply with federal standards, and setting up the joint interagency program office. To do so, GAO reviewed its past work, analyzed agency documentation, and conducted interviews with agency officials. GAO is recommending that the departments give priority to fully establishing the program office and finalizing the implementation plan. Commenting on a draft of this report, DOD and VA concurred with GAO's recommendations and described actions planned or being taken to address them. Report to congressional requestors.