4.1: Strategic Approach
Provide a secure connection between the Department, Veterans Affairs and private sector providers. Other Information:
IN DEPTH: FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE - STRATEGIC APPROACH The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have already
achieved a high level of point-to-point interoperability between our health care systems, but this does not allow capture
of private sector data. The Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record will solve this by providing a secure connection between the
Department, Veterans Affairs and private sector providers. Sharing data electronically through the Virtual Lifetime Electronic
Record approach will be achievable more quickly than developing a single system, and the solution will be viable throughout
the health care community. A joint strategy for data sharing is the most effective use of resources and avoids obsolescence
as electronic health record systems continue to modernize. It will provide information needed to deliver the highest quality
of care, and reduce medical errors and administrative mistakes. The Department and Veterans Affairs need access to private
sector information to optimize care, improve efficiency and create a true lifetime electronic health care record for our service
members and veterans. The Departments’ joint approach to the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record is not to establish a large
acquisition program, but rather to define and implement a strategy to share data across existing programs. Building a single
Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs medical system would be an enormous undertaking requiring years of analysis, discussions
and change management activities that would be extremely challenging. The Department and Veterans Affairs share data today
much better than any two medical systems anywhere – and we are continuing to improve that sharing. To refocus resources on
development of a single system would not allow us to sustain the progress we are already making.
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