Furthering the Exchange of Electronic Patient Health Information

The use of information technology (IT) to electronically collect and communicate consumers’ personal health information could help improve the quality and efficiency of health care. In April 2004, the President called for widespread adoption of interoperable electronic health records by 2014.

• The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is responsible, among other things, for a strategic plan to guide the nationwide implementation of interoperable health IT in both the public and private health care sectors.
  
  Highlights of GAO-08-499T (PDF)
• The National Coordinator has begun initiatives to address issues important to establishing the infrastructure for increased exchange of electronic health information, such as
  
  Highlights of GAO-08-499T (PDF)
• establishing interoperability standards,
• setting up mechanisms to certify that electronic health information systems meet the standards, and
• establishing privacy and security requirements for protecting personal electronic health information exchanged within a nationwide health information network.
• Among other agencies, DOD and VA are important participants in the National Coordinator’s initiatives.
  
  Highlights of GAO-08-954 (PDF)
  These departments’ efforts regarding health IT predate the National Coordinator’s initiatives: Since 1998, the two departments have been engaged in efforts to share electronic medical information, as part of their responsibility to ensure that active-duty military personnel and veterans receive high-quality care.
• Although more work remains, they have achieved a measure of success in these efforts.
  
  Highlights of GAO-08-954 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

HHS has developed and begun implementing a federal health IT strategic plan that addresses many activities needed to encourage adoption of electronic health records, including protecting the privacy of electronic health records.

• However, more remains to be done to ensure that privacy principles (such as limiting access appropriately) and challenges (such as resolving legal and policy issues) are fully addressed within this strategy.
  
  Highlights of GAO-07-988T (PDF)
• Considerable work remains on the National Coordinator’s initiatives, including increasing the numbers and kinds of health IT systems that are certified, as well as encouraging the widespread use of such systems in the public and private health care sectors, while protecting privacy.

In addition, although VA and DOD are sharing more health information than ever before, significant work remains for the departments to achieve their long-term goal of fully interoperable electronic health records, including

• agreeing to standards for categories of medical information that are not yet standardized,
• completing the development of modernized systems, and
• transitioning to these modernized systems.

^ Back to topKey Reports

Electronic Health Records: DOD and VA Have Increased Their Sharing of Health Information, but More Work Remains

GAO-08-954, July 28, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 48 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

VA and DOD Health Care: Progress Made on Implementation of 2003 President's Task Force Recommendations on Collaboration and Coordination, but More Remains to Be Done

GAO-08-495R, April 30, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 21 pages)   Accessible Text

Health Information Technology: HHS Is Pursuing Efforts to Advance Nationwide Implementation, but Has Not Yet Completed a National Strategy

GAO-08-499T, February 14, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 17 pages)   Accessible Text

Health Information Technology: Efforts Continue but Comprehensive Privacy Approach Needed for National Strategy

GAO-07-988T, June 19, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 23 pages)   Accessible Text