VA Launches Fourth Data Exchange Pilot on NHIN

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense have launched their fourth virtual lifetime electronic record (VLER) data sharing pilot in Spokane, Wash., the latest in a program aimed at testing the exchange of patient information over the nationwide health information network (NHIN).

The Spokane VA Medical Center and Fairchild Air Force Base will partner with Inland Northwest Health Services, a Spokane health information exchange network, to make the private clinical records of veterans and service members accessible to their federal health providers, the VA said.

Since more than half of veterans and active duty service members receive some portion of their healthcare from private providers, it is essential that VA or DOD and commercial providers be able to exchange clinical records to be able to deliver the most effective treatment.  More than 5,500 active military personnel are stationed at Fairchild and thousands of veterans reside in the Spokane region.