Implementation of the Department of Veterans Affairs' first point-of-care clinical trial.

Objectives: The Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center in collaboration with the Stanford Center for Innovative Study Design set out to test the feasibility of a new method of evidence generation. The first pilot of a point-of-care clinical trial (POCCT), adding randomization and other study processes to an electronic medical record (EMR) system, was launched to compare the effectiveness of two insulin regimens.

Materials And Methods: Existing functionalities of the Veterans Affairs (VA) computerized patient record system (CPRS)/veterans health information systems and technology architecture (VISTA) were modified to support the activities of a randomized controlled trial including enrolment, randomization, and longitudinal data collection.

Integration of longitudinal electronic records in a large healthcare enterprise: the U.S. Veterans Health Administration experience.

The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides care to some 5.

Use of electronic health records in disaster response: the experience of Department of Veterans Affairs after Hurricane Katrina.

Objectives: We describe electronic health data use by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the month after Katrina, including supporting technologies, the extent and nature of information accessed, and lessons learned.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using cross-sectional panels of data collected sequentially over time.

Results: By September 30, 2005, clinical data were accessed electronically for at least 38% (14941 of 39910) of patients cared for prior to Hurricane Katrina by New Orleans-area VA medical facilities.