Kaiser, VA join forces in pilot EHR pilot project

Two of the largest electronic health record systems in the country, Kaiser Permanente’s HealthConnect and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ VistA, have joined forces in a pilot project in San Diego to exchange electronic health record information using the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) created by the Department of Health and Human Services. The program was set to begin in mid December.

“The ability to share critical health information is essential to interoperability,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki in a prepared statement. “Utilizing the NHIN’s standards and network will allow organizations like VA and the Department of Defense to partner with private-sector healthcare providers to promote better, faster, and safer care for veterans.”

Andrew M. Wiesenthal, MD, associate executive director of the Permanente Federation, said in a prepared statement, “The reality is that most people receive care from multiple providers. Without the ability for caregivers and patients to have access to their data, all of the time, there is the possibility for wasted time and resources duplicating tests and procedures.”