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Report: DOD's and VA's Health Info Sharing Needs Improved Management

In spite of generally positive progress, 22 of 30 positions unfilled.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) yesterday released a report titled: Electronic Health Records:
DOD's and VA's Sharing of Information Could Benefit from Improved Management.


The report found that the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration are increasing data sharing and expanding interoperability standards and specifications. "In addition," said the report, "DOD reported that it received certification of its electronic health record system"

In spite of these and other positive steps, said the report "DOD and VA have not yet fully executed their plan to set up the program office. For example, among other activities, they have not yet filled key positions for the director and deputy director, or 22 of 30 other positions identified for the office. In the continued absence of a fully established program office, the departments will remain ineffectively positioned to assure that interoperable electronic health records and capabilities are achieved by the required date.

Wayne E. Hanson served as a writer and editor with e.Republic from 1989 to 2013, having worked for several business units including Government Technology magazine, the Center for Digital Government, Governing, and Digital Communities. Hanson was a juror from 1999 to 2004 with the Stockholm Challenge and Global Junior Challenge competitions in information technology and education.