See also: In The Military

VA keeps electronic
records of veterans

Question: Does the Department of Veterans Affairs still maintain health records by hand or is it done electronically utilizing computer technology?

Answer: Patient records in the VA's electronic health system, called "VistA," are fully electronic, portable and readily accessible. This system provides a single place for health care providers to review and update a patient's health record and order medications, special procedures, X-rays, nursing orders, diets and laboratory tests.

All aspects of a patient's record are integrated, including active problems, current medications, laboratory results, vital signs, hospitalizations and outpatient clinic history. All electronic records are password protected to guarantee patient privacy. Other features of the electronic health record system include:

» A checking system to alert clinicians if an order they are entering could cause a problem.
» A notification system that immediately alerts clinicians to clinically significant events.
» A patient posting system that alerts health care providers to issues specifically related to the patient, including crisis notes, adverse reactions and advance directives.
» Templates to automatically create reports
» A clinical reminder system that electronically alerts clinicians that certain actions, such as examinations, immunizations, patient education and laboratory rests need to be performed.
» A remote data view to allow clinicians to see the patient's medical history at all the VA facilities where the patient was seen.

For information concerning the VA's electronic health record, call the VA medical appointments and enrollment at 433-0600.

Q: As a veteran of the current war on terrorism, I am concerned about possible long-term consequences of military service in Southern Asia. What is the VA's involvement?

A: Veterans of the war on terrorism are welcome to contact VA for a thorough and comprehensive medical examination. There is no charge to the veteran for this examination. Veterans who have an illness that developed in or worsened during their military service in Southern Asia are encouraged to file for disability compensation. For information regarding VA benefits, call 433-1000. For information on the free medical examination, call 433-0600. Information is also available at www.va.gov/hawaii.

If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.

Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.

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For Your Benefit For and about Hawaii's military See also: In The Military VA keeps electronic records of veterans Question: Does the Department of Veterans Affairs still maintain health records by hand or is it done electronically utilizing computer technology? Answer: Patient records in the VA's electronic health system, called "VistA," are fully electronic, portable and readily accessible. This system provides a single place for health care providers to review and update a patient's health record and order medications, special procedures, X-rays, nursing orders, diets and laboratory tests. All aspects of a patient's record are integrated, including active problems, current medications, laboratory results, vital signs, hospitalizations and outpatient clinic history. All electronic records are password protected to guarantee patient privacy. Other features of the electronic health record system include: » A checking system to alert clinicians if an order they are entering could cause a problem. » A notification system that immediately alerts clinicians to clinically significant events. » A patient posting system that alerts health care providers to issues specifically related to the patient, including crisis notes, adverse reactions and advance directives. » Templates to automatically create reports » A clinical reminder system that electronically alerts clinicians that certain actions, such as examinations, immunizations, patient education and laboratory rests need to be performed. » A remote data view to allow clinicians to see the patient's medical history at all the VA facilities where the patient was seen. For information concerning the VA's electronic health record, call the VA medical appointments and enrollment at 433-0600. Q: As a veteran of the current war on terrorism, I am concerned about possible long-term consequences of military service in Southern Asia. What is the VA's involvement? A: Veterans of the war on terrorism are welcome to contact VA for a thorough and comprehensive medical examination. There is no charge to the veteran for this examination. Veterans who have an illness that developed in or worsened during their military service in Southern Asia are encouraged to file for disability compensation. For information regarding VA benefits, call 433-1000. For information on the free medical examination, call 433-0600. Information is also available at www.va.gov/hawaii. If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran, call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049 or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747. Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin, can be reached by phone at 294-4075 or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.	— ADVERTISEMENTS — — ADVERTISEMENTS —

VA keeps electronic records of veterans

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VA keeps electronic
records of veterans

Text Site Directory:
[News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Do It Electric!]
[Classified Ads] [Search] [Subscribe] [Info] [Letter to Editor]
[Feedback]