Health Information Systems
Program Manager, Frank Fukunaga
The Health Information Systems Program was established in 2006 to facilitate the widespread adoption of electronic health records and health information systems to improve health care.
The Healthcare Industry is unstable, costs soar, medical errors occur at an unacceptable rate, providers and insurers debate over reimbursement, employers chafe at the cost of health insurance, the rural underserved seek access to specialty care, the economically disadvantaged seek any care at all. Healthcare information systems promote better health care management overall and mitigate these issues. Information technology brings a whole spectrum of potential improvements to health care safety, accuracy, and efficiency.
VistA is a trusted and proven health information system developed and used by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the past three decades to support the Veteran Health Administration's network of 1,300 healthcare facilities, including 160 medical centers. Since it has been funded through taxpayer dollars, VistA is available to the public through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
June 6, 2003, Pacific Telehealth & Technology Hui releases Hui OpenVista, a nonproprietary, open source version of the VA's VistA. The technology transfer of Hui OpenVista is the outcome of a research project funded by the Hui to build on the strengths of the FOIA version of VistA.
April 26, 2004, President Bush outlined a Health Information Technology Plan to ensure most Americans have electronic health records within the next ten years.
June 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the upcoming release of a modified version of VistA for small physician practices.
October 2004, CMS announced the release of VistA Lite, renamed VistA Office Electronic Health Record (VOE), by August 2005
October 2004, VistA Software Alliance (VSA) is created to promote and facilitate adoption of VistA. Founding members include DSS, Perot Systems, Intersystems, Oleen Healthcare Information, Hewlett Packard, Medsphere, Informatix, Daou, and SAIC
June 2006, Pacific Telehealth & Technology Hui enters into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with PICHTR. Under this agreement, Hui will:
- Provide PICHTR with access to documents, computer digital code, licenses, and expertise in a collaborative project to construct a useful, efficient and sustainable electronic health record based on the Veterans Administration's VistA system.
- Work with PICHTR, as resources are available, to develop, test and disseminate modifications, enhancements and new developments to promote said useful, efficient and sustainable electronic health record.
- Provide PICHTR access and use to its health information Application Service Provider (ASP) data center to support research, development, and testing of project modifications, enhancements, and new development.
- Define new research and development projects to support program goals including facilitating interoperability among health information providers.
- Assist with the identification of subject matter experts to collaborate in research and development.
- Foster partnerships with institutions and organizations to jointly research and develop new applications and programs in utilizing emerging technologies
Leveraging the work of the Hui in developing Hui Open Vista, PICHTR has established the Health Information Systems Program to facilitate the widespread adoption of open source VistA as an affordable, enterprise solution for hospitals and clinics, particularly in remote and underserved areas in Hawaii and Pacific region. Projects include:
- OpenVista Change Control Board - Facilitate a National Control Board to establish governance and policies to sustain a "Golden Master" of the source code of Open Source Vista
- Center for Medical Records Repository (West Virginia) In collaboration with the Hui, Shepherd University in West Virginia and a private technology firm, PICHTR will establish a Center of Medical Records Interoperability Repository for the citizens of West Virginia
- Collaborate with a private sector technology company to promote and manage installations of Hui OpenVista, in Louisiana and the Southern region of the continental United States
- Provide program management support to install Hui OpenVista in two of a twelve State of Hawaii hospital system and three health clinics in Kauai.
- Provide program management support to oversee the beta testing of CMS VistA Office EHR in the Physician Center of Mililani, Hui representing one of four national CMS certified software vendors.
- Provide program management support in establishing commercial Application Service Provider (ASP) data centers in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Shreveport, Louisiana hosting electronic health records processing.
