Link: ONC Celebrates Veteran's Day with the Blue Button!
Today is a special day for several reasons. First, it is a day of respectful celebration for all our military and their families who have sacrificed to serve our country. My family has been involved with the military over the course of generations. My grandfather was in the Navy during WWII, my brother, daughter, and her husband have all served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces - in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When I first became a Registered Nurse, I chose to work at a VA Hospital for two simple reasons. First, to honor my family's valor and service, and to provide compassionate care for veterans in their time of need. Second, as a former IT Exec I wanted to experience the Veterans Health Administration's VistA CPRS System not only to document and analyze patient data, but also because I knew (from previous IT experience) that any data in an electronic format could be used to make better informed health care decisions. It was an honor for me to serve in this way; my small contribution to our servicemen and women.
Recently, I learned about the "Blue Button" that is on My HealthyVet , a secure Web portal, that enables veterans to easily download and share their electronic VA medical records with physicians or family members.
When the news was first released about its availability on Veteran's Day, it confirmed something that I have thought for quite a while - the VHA takes a proactive stance in delivering effective medical treatment, education, and healthcare to its servicemen and women.
In addition to providing access to patient records, the blue button provides other important healthcare benefits. "Veterans can also download medical appointment schedules and prescription history, as well as actively participate and manage their health and health care by updating their records online.
More than 400,000 veterans and members of the military have used the Blue Button, which is a definite sign of success given it’s only been in existence for a year."
Click on this link or the one above to read a story on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Blue Button, that allows veterans with online access, to download, and manage their electronically-stored health data.
Today is a special day for several reasons. First, it is a day of respectful celebration for all our military and their families who have sacrificed to serve our country. My family has been involved with the military over the course of generations. My grandfather was in the Navy during WWII, my brother, daughter, and her husband have all served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces - in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When I first became a Registered Nurse, I chose to work at a VA Hospital for two simple reasons. First, to honor my family's valor and service, and to provide compassionate care for veterans in their time of need. Second, as a former IT Exec I wanted to experience the Veterans Health Administration's VistA CPRS System not only to document and analyze patient data, but also because I knew (from previous IT experience) that any data in an electronic format could be used to make better informed health care decisions. It was an honor for me to serve in this way; my small contribution to our servicemen and women.
Recently, I learned about the "Blue Button" that is on My HealthyVet , a secure Web portal, that enables veterans to easily download and share their electronic VA medical records with physicians or family members.
When the news was first released about its availability on Veteran's Day, it confirmed something that I have thought for quite a while - the VHA takes a proactive stance in delivering effective medical treatment, education, and healthcare to its servicemen and women.
In addition to providing access to patient records, the blue button provides other important healthcare benefits. "Veterans can also download medical appointment schedules and prescription history, as well as actively participate and manage their health and health care by updating their records online.
More than 400,000 veterans and members of the military have used the Blue Button, which is a definite sign of success given it’s only been in existence for a year."
Click on this link or the one above to read a story on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Blue Button, that allows veterans with online access, to download, and manage their electronically-stored health data.