Visit of Government Accountability Office - Washington DC VA Medical Center

The Comptroller General (CG) of the Government Accountability Office visited the Washington DC VA Medical Center on May 21, 2007. The Honorable David M. Walker requested the visit in order to learn first-hand about VA’s award winning electronic health records system, integrating all patient information including images.

Acting Medical Center Director, Fernando O. Rivera, gave CG Walker an overview of medical center operations and Chief of Staff Ross D. Fletcher, MD presented a functional demonstration of how VA uses electronic health records to improve patient care. VA’s web-based My HealtheVet program – giving patients access to their medical records and allowing them to track their health progress – was highlighted, as was the bar code medication administration system and home health care through TeleHealth.

Dr. Neil Evans (L), Co-Chief, Ambulatory Care, describes the use of electronic health records in the Primary Care Clinic setting. He is joined by Dr. Ross D. Fletcher, Chief of Staff, and CG David M. Walker

Donna Calliari, RN, demonstrates medication dispensing using bar codes and the electronic health record. At center is Acting Medical Center Director, Fernando O. Rivera.