VA is implementing its new electronic health record (EHR) system on Oct. 24 at initial sites in the Pacific Northwest. The implementation improves how clinicians store and manage patient information, including visits, test results, prescriptions and more. This will also mean some changes to how Veterans access their own health data online if their VA facility has changed to the new EHR.
VA medical records technicians ensure patient records are accurately and confidentially maintained so that Veterans can receive proper care.
The theme of this year’s National VA Research Week, May 17–21, is “One Team, One Mission,” reflecting the nationwide focus of VA researchers on improving Veterans’ health care and quality of life.
Veterans seen at VA Central Ohio Healthcare System facilities can now schedule their medical visits using a new online tool, which rolled out Aug. 22. The tool, called My VA Health, uses VA’s new Centralized Scheduling Solution (CSS) — an all-in-one system — to provide Veterans with cutting-edge capabilities to make and manage their appointments.
Million Veteran Program – After 10 years, nearly a million volunteer Veterans have joined VA scientists to change the future of health care.
To date, more than 60 VA medical centers have been involved in trials on COVID-19 therapeutics (see sidebar), including antiviral drugs such as remdesivir, monoclonal antibodies, convalescent plasma, and immunomodulators. Other therapeutics are in the pipeline for clinical trials, but only one has received FDA approval.
CommonWell brings a nationwide network of more than 15,000 hospitals and clinics to the 46,000 community partners already part of the FEHRM’s joint health information exchange (HIE), which is a data sharing capability among the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and community partners.
When a Veteran files a clam for VA benefits, there are several administrative actions needed before a decision can be made, such as gathering medical records and military service records. VA is automating many of these administrative tasks, allowing claims processors to focus on more complex and analytical duties. These improvements result in reduced processing times and faster decisions on claims to Veterans and their families.
Do you know how this VA office works behind the scenes and why it’s really important to you and the Veteran community?
Now, in what Strebel calls the “most significant” work in his seven-year VA career, he’s developed a tool that uses artificial intelligence to calculate the risk of a COVID-19 patient dying within 120 days of diagnosis. The hope is that clinicians can use those predictions to improve the treatment of their patients.
New technologies just for the young? Air Force Veteran Dr. Joseph Belshe,100, has used telehealth technology for almost two years to receive care from VA. Receives his cardiac care using VA Video Connect.
Six VA nurses who went above and beyond the call of duty have received Excellence in Nursing awards from the VA Secretary.