Bedfordtimesregister.com - Veteran's Beat: VA keeps up with latest trends through Web records

by Ron Seman

A recent study in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine singles out the Department of Veterans Affairs for its successful implementation of a comprehensive system of electronic health records. The VA made the announcement in an April 6 news release.

The study's authors, led by Dr. Ashish K. Jha of Harvard University, noted that VA's use of electronic health records has resulted in "dramatic associated improvements in clinical quality." They also found that only 1.5 percent of U.S. hospitals have comprehensive electronic health records -- adding VA hospitals to the analyses doubled that number.

VA clinicians began using computerized patient records in the mid-1990s for everything from recording examinations by doctors to displaying results of lab tests and X-rays.

Patient records are available 100 percent of the time to VA health care workers, compared to 60 percent when VA relied on paper records.

"VA electronic health record system has largely eliminated errors stemming from lost or incomplete medical records, making us one of he safest systems in the health care industry," said Dr. Michael J. Kussman, VA's undersecretary for health.

The authors of the article are the latest to praise VA for its technology and commitment to patient safety. In 2006, VA received the prestigious "Innovations in American Government" Award from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government for its advanced electronic health records and performance measurement system.

Kudos to the VA for again leading the way in health care innovations that benefit not only veterans, but the gigantic American health care industry.

VETERANS ORIENTATION DAY: Cuyahoga Community College's eastern campus will host a day-long event to assist veterans in exploring the new GI Bill options and to assist those who may not have GI Bill benefits. Visitors can learn about the financial aid process, scholarships and alternative funding for veterans without educational benefits and training programs, and talk one-on-one with counselors.

A box lunch will be provided. Parking is free in Lot H. Interested? Call 216-987-3075 to register. Course registration number is 20469. For more information, contact Barbara Solomon at 216-987-2516 or barbarasolomon@tri-c.edu.

The college is located at 4250 Richmond Road in Highland Hills.

In related news, veterans can begin to apply for Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits through the new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Web site, www.gibill.va.gov, as early as Friday, May 1.

VA WELCOME WEB SITE: The Department of Veterans Affairs on April 20 launched its new "Returning Veterans" Web site, www.oefoif.va.gov, to welcome home veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

"VA is entering the world of Web 2.0 because that's where this generation of veterans is already communicating" said Gerald M. Cross, VA's principal deputy undersecretary for health. "We're opening our doors to them virtually to let them know what they can expect when they step through our doors in reality."

The Web site will feature videos, veterans' stories and a blog where veterans are encouraged to post feedback.

MILITARY RECORDS: To request your personal military record, obtain a copy of Form SF 180 (usually available from a post adjutant), complete it and send it to the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.

REMEMBER our men and women serving America in Iraq, Afghanistan and at other posts around the world. Keep them in your daily prayers. Write a letter, send a package of goodies, and tell them that you support their unselfish service. News items for this column can be mailed to Ron Seman, 5811 Renwood Drive, Parma, OH 44129 or e-mailed to SemanRJ@aol.com. Thanks!