Accession Number:

AD1157865

Title:

VA Information Technology: Pharmacy System Needs Additional Capabilities for Viewing, Exchanging, and Using Data to Better Serve Veterans

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Congressional Report]

Corporate Author:

United States Government Accountability Office

Personal Author(s):

• Melvin, Valerie C.

Report Date:

2017-06-14

Pagination or Media Count:

59

Abstract:

VHA provides health care services, including pharmacy services, to approximately 6.7 million veterans and their families. To do so, clinicians and pharmacists rely on VAs health information system. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 required VA to ensure it has a pharmacy system that is interoperable with DODs system. A provision in Senate Report 114-57 required GAO to examine VAs acquisition and use of a pharmacy system. GAO determined whether 1 VA currently possesses a functioning pharmacy system and the extent to which the system enables data to be viewed, shared, and transferred among VHA pharmacy locations 2 VAs pharmacy system is interoperable with DODs, and whether this system, or the absence thereof, is impacting service members who transition care from DOD and 3 VA has implemented its pharmacy system in accordance with health care industry practices. GAO analyzed documentation describing VAs pharmacy system observed system demonstrations analyzed plans and actions taken to achieve interoperability with DOD and identified industry practices related to pharmacy systems, and compared them to VAs system capabilities.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

• Information Science
• Medical Facilities, Equipment and Supplies

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]