Thursday, September 8, 2011

VA WNY Healthcare System Launches Electronic Records Exchange

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new pilot site in Western New York area to improve the delivery of services to Veterans.

“VA Western New York Healthcare System is committed to offering new technologies that enhance our ability to provide Veterans in Western New York with high quality health care and services,” said Jason C. Petti, Interim Medical Center Director.

This pilot is part of the broader Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) initiative. VLER is a multi-faceted business and technology initiative that includes a portfolio of health, benefits, personnel, and administrative information sharing capabilities. VA Western New York Healthcare System will partner with HEALTHeLINK to exchange health information electronically for Veterans who participate in the pilot.

VA selected the Western New York area because it has a high concentration of Veterans, military retirees, and members of the Guard and Reserve. Locally through HEALTHeLINK, there are 16 hospitals and over 1,800 clinicians participating in the VLER Health pilot.

Adding Western New York health information exchange builds on the success of the VLER Health pilot in places like San Diego; Hampton Roads in Virginia; and Spokane, Washington. Participants exchange information using the Nationwide Health Information Network.

Veterans in the area will be invited to participate in the health information exchange pilot, which launches this fall. Veterans who choose to participate will authorize their public and private sector health care providers to share specific health information electronically, safely, securely, and privately. No exchange of information will occur without the permission of participating Veterans.

More detailed information on the pilot program is available by calling 1-877-771-VLER (8537).

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