VistA to be deployed in North Carolina

Major news for the VistA software community. After many years of research and preparation, the State of North Carolina will start an initial implementation of VistA in one of its behavioral health facilities. The initial deployment will take place at Central Regional Hospital (CRH), a state psychiatric hospital located in Butner. This hospital is one of 14 State operated healthcare facilities that treat adults and children with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders. These facilities are overseen by North Carolina's Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities.

While there is still no official press release or additional information on this major event, there are additional details on a job posting for the position of the VistA manager who will will guide the implementation and maintenance of the electronic medical record (EMR) system. The posting states the manager will be "a key member of a large inter-disciplinary team." The manager will perform "strategic planning with pharmacists, lab specialists, physicians (medical and psychiatry), nurse informaticists, nurses, and information technology personnel." The posting adds that the "position will also play a key role in planning and supporting the extension of this technology to other state operated healthcare facilities."

This is a promising first step that will hopefully lead the the implementation of VistA across all State operated behavioural health facilities.