VA, DoD Electronically “Hand Off” Records of Wounded Patients

VA, DoD Electronically “Hand Off” Records of Wounded Patients

WASHINGTON – Instant electronic medical information from the Department of Defense (DoD) about severely wounded troops soon will be transferred to four Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) special treatment centers.  The two departments completed a successful pilot project sharing patient information between Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Polytrauma Unit at the Tampa, Fla., VA Medical Center.

The pilot’s expansion will share enhanced data between VA’s four polytrauma centers in Tampa, Fla.; Richmond, Va.; Minneapolis; and Palo Alto, Calif. and all Army medical treatment facilities. 

The patient information to be shared between DoD and VA involves electronic notes on the patient’s situation and background, an assessment of his or her condition, and recommendations for future care.  This uniform, standard method of communicating patient information will ensure veterans receive high quality care immediately after being transferred and the information is available and accessible at all times.

“I’m proud to announce the launch of this partnership,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.  “Because it is targeted at severely wounded veterans transferring directly from DoD to VA, it enhances their care.”

The VA-funded project is the result of collaboration among VA and DoD nurses and information technology professionals.  The departments are working to make all of their electronic patient records interoperable.  Peake said the announcement represents a significant step forward in those efforts.