ABC News Series Examines Role Of Electronic Health Records In Improving The Veterans Affairs Health Care System

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 14 Dec 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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As part of a series on health care reform, ABC's "World News" on Tuesday reported on the Veterans Affairs health care system. According to "World News," the VA is a "prominent example of socialized medicine in America" (Gibson, "World News," ABC, 12/12).

Some health care experts believe that the VA has become "one of the best health care systems in the country" by increasing its use of health care information technology, "World News" reports. Phil Longman, a health care expert and author, said the VA improved care "[f]irst and foremost, by pioneering electronic medical records."

According to "World News," the VA's "life-long relationship with patients" gives it "a strong financial incentive to invest in technology that aids preventive medicine." The VA has fewer medical errors, more effective treatment, lower costs and higher patient satisfaction compared with private hospitals, "World News" reports. In addition, the VA spends about $1,500 less per patient than Medicare, according to "World News" (Johnson, ABC.com, 12/12).

The segment also includes comments from Ross Fletcher, a physician at the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C., who helped develop the VA's electronic health record system, and a VA patient (Johnson, "World News," ABC, 12/12).

Video of the segment and expanded ABC News coverage are available online.

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