Noteboom The Law Firm

VA To Create National Standard With Open Source Format

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) could establish a national standard by creating an open-source format for electronic health records (EHRs). The VA currently uses the Veterans Integrated System Technology Architecture (VistA), which is a 30-year-old format, and may serve as the basis of a national network for accessing EHRs.

One of the Obama administration's biggest selling points in the renovation of the nation's healthcare system is a nationwide implementation of paperless health care records. VistA is the single most utilized electronic health record system in the country and because of that, they are the one federal agency leading the movement toward adopting paperless records.

According to VA Sec. Eric Shinseki, the only way to provide the high quality of service veterans deserve is to modernize VistA. In order to accomplish this transition, the VA is very receptive to private-sector companies offering and providing help in various fashions. Indeed, the VA has incorporated private-sector help into their strategy for redevelopment and improvement.

If all goes as plans, the VA will start converting VistA to an open source platform this summer. It is hoped the same passion that spawned VistA in the first place re-surfaces when VistA becomes an open source.