Spokane VA to Share Patient Records with NHIN

On Wednesday the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) pilot program kickoff was announced in Spokane, Wash. Local representatives from the Spokane VA Medical Center, national VLER team members from VA, leadership from Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS), and leadership from Fairchild Air Force Base were present to make the announcement at the Greater Spokane Incorporated Annual Meeting.

The VLER pilot in the Spokane region will improve the portability of health information to Veterans and active duty Service Members. The Spokane VA Medical Center and Fairchild Air Force Base will partner with INHS, one of the nation's most recognized health information exchange networks, to securely exchange electronic health record (EHR) information using the Nationwide Health Information Network.

Since more than half of America's Veterans and active duty Service Members receive some portion of their health care outside of VA or Department of Defense facilities, interoperability between federal agencies and the private sector is essential to provide the best care for Veterans, Service Members, and their families.

More than 5,500 active military personnel are stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, and tens of thousands of Veterans call our region their home. This ground breaking program will provide an even more efficient health information delivery system.