Edmonds Military Wire: Department of Veterans Affairs makes ‘Most Wired’ list

Michael Schindler
Michael Schindler

This news hot off the press :“The Department of Veterans Affairs, representing 152 VA medical centers, was recently named to the 2013 “Most Wired” hospitals list. The list, which is released by Hospitals & Health Networks, in partnership with McKesson, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) and the American Hospital Association (AHA), is the result of a national survey aimed at ranking hospitals that are leveraging health information technology (HIT) in new and innovative ways.”

I was asked by an individual how the VA could receive such a mention when they have such a tremendous backlog (of which they are slowing working through). Here’s how: the VA is actually somewhat advanced compared to their Department of Defense (DoD) sister, where the claims process is typically initiated.

Before a service member rolls off, he or she is often required — or is strongly encouraged — to initiate what is required to submit a claim. The challenge is only 1 percent of claims are “fully developed” by the time of discharge…and thus begins the long wait.

The solution? Getting DoD and the VA to work together on when to initiate the claims process, automate what can be automated and then share the data so the process is seamless. By doing so, the veteran remains the focus, the entities become more efficient, and crisis care costs will drop.

Over the past year, VA has provided veterans and VA health care teams with 21st century health care through the use of new and innovative technology.  Some examples are:

– Telehealth being used in Veterans homes as an adjunct to traditional face-to-face care;

– Recent VA Blue Button enhancements that allow improved access to critical patient medical information;

– Deployment of asset tracking devices;

– The use of technology to better link specialty care providers to primary care physicians in rural areas.

The survey, which was conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, 2013, polled 1,713 hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their information technology (IT) initiatives.

Overall, roughly 30 percent of all U.S. hospitals were surveyed.

Bottom line: the “Most Wired” status will eventually lead to better outcomes; just how soon is still to be determined. In Washington state, JBLM is perfecting a cross-jurisdictional, cost-share model with our state VA and community partners that could prove beneficial to the rest of the nation. Rally Point 6 – a community blueprint, non-profit initiative – is launching a much-needed bricks-and-mortar solution outside of JBLM so our service members can get some additional “face-to-face” assistance.

The key is collaboration, and it really will take the community working together to see to it that our veterans and their families are honored, supported and empowered to become viable members of our towns and cities.

— By Michael Schindler

Michael Schindler, Navy veteran, and president of Edmonds-based Operation Military Family, is a guest writer for several national publications, author of the book “Operation Military Family” and “The Military Wire” blog. He is also a popular keynote and workshop speaker who reaches thousands of service members and their families every year through workshops and seminars that include  “How to Battle-Ready Your Relationship” or “What Your Mother-in-Law Didn’t Tell You.”  He received the 2010 Outstanding Patriotic Service Award from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.

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