Noteboom The Law Firm

Wisconsin Delegates Question VA’s Open-Source Approach To EHRs

March 30, 2011 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) have been working toward developing individual electronic health records (EHRs) in the hopes of merging their individual systems into one overall and solid system. Last month, the VA announced it was planning on using an open source approach. Weeks ago, 5 congressional delegates from Wisconsin petitioned the VA and the DoD to instead use a single commercial system, which would benefit Epic Systems Corp, one of Wisconsin's largest employers.

Although the VA has no intention of granting their request, just their inquiry in itself may be enough to impede the implementation of the new EHR system. Their specific query was if the VA and the DoD have given "appropriate consideration" to utilizing a commercial system while integrating their EHR systems. To support the use of a commercial EHR system, the 5 delegates highlighted the system's:

• Affordability;
• Technological prowess;
• Shortened development and installation time; and
• Ability to supply heightened patient safety through the use of a single, consolidated database.

Some believe the delegates' letter will put a hitch in the negotiations between the VA and the DoD to create a single EHR. Others believe the letter was intentionally written to derail the VA using their planned open-source approach. The VA's reply to the letter supported their use of an open-source approach and showed how its use would not only free up billions of dollars, but would create a faster and more efficient EHR system. Under the open system, companies like Epic would be given the fair chance to compete, just like every other vendor.