Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has had automated data processing systems within its medical facilities since before 1985, beginning with the Decentralized Hospital Computer Program information system, including extensive clinical and administrative capabilities. The Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) supports both ambulatory and inpatient care. VistA includes several significant enhancements to the original DHCP system. The most significant is a Graphical User Interface known as the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) for clinicians released in 1997.

CPRS provides a client-server interface for health care providers to review and update a patient’s electronic medical record. This includes the ability to place orders, including medications, special procedures, x-rays, patient care nursing orders, diets, and laboratory tests. CPRS is flexible enough to be implemented in a wide variety of settings for a broad spectrum of health care workers and provides a consistent, event-driven, Windows-style interface.

The VistA system is public domain software, available through the Freedom Of Information Act, on the VA website.