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Veterans Health Administration
07/23/2012 | News release
VA Focuses on Electronic Health Records at AIDS Conference
distributed by noodls on 07/23/2012 09:50
How VA's Electronic Health Record Improves Outcomes
As the largest provider of HIV care in the U.S., the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be a strong voice at the International AIDS Conference from July 22-27, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
This premier conference brings together professionals in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others committed to ending the pandemic.
VA's special session, "Improving HIV Outcomes using the Electronic Health Record: Case Study: HIV and Aging," will focus on how electronic health records (EHRs), a clinical case registry, and computerized "clinical reminders" to care providers within the health record have improved VA's diagnosis and treatment of Veterans with HIV infection.
"VA's efforts to increase HIV testing in Veterans are paying off."
VA uses the EHRs to guide HIV management efforts, such as prompting health care providers to offer HIV testing, tracking patients' progress over time, and providing feedback to providers on health outcomes, said Maggie Czarnogorski, M.D., VA's Director of Clinical Public Health Programs.
"VA's efforts to increase HIV testing in Veterans are paying off. The number of Veterans ever tested in VA has doubled from 2009 to 2011." said Czarnogorski.
Currently, 91 percent of Veterans in VA care who qualify for HIV therapy are receiving medication, and data shows that most Veterans on therapy have undetectable levels of the HIV virus in their blood, which means that Veterans with HIV can live longer, healthier lives.
Since the 1980s, VA has been a pioneer in developing and using EHRs to improve access to care and to boost health outcomes for Veterans. Two out of three new HIV diagnoses in VA are Veterans over age 50, giving VA valuable experience with the issue of HIV and aging.
The International AIDS Conference is an opportunity to assess where we are in the fight against HIV/AIDS, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learned, and collectively chart a course forward.
VA's participation in the conference will share best practices in treating the disease and offer opportunities for dialogue on care issues in the global response to HIV.
