Transcript

Dr. Klodner:  I think one of the fundamental things is first of all, that Health IT is not about technology. It’s about transforming health and care, so health care is one part of that VA has undergone that change. The quality improvements that VA has, the safety improvements--some of which are attributable to the health I.T. that’s there, and--but health I.T. needs more than that. So you have performance measures and quality accountability. together, V A has undergone that transformation and is now able to give some of the highest quality care to our nation’s veterans.

Mr. Sesno:  And can you actually measure the difference that this has made in the quality of care?

Dr. Klodner:  Yes, we can.

Mr. Sesno:  How?

Dr. Klodner:  We have a variety of measures that we use in terms of outcomes. We have some process measures, such as, "have you done certain things for patients with conditions?" But we’re now seeing things such as decreased number of deaths in individuals with chronic lung disease who received the immunizations.

Mr. Sesno:  And how did the technology provide a window on that?

Dr. Klodner:  Because it’s impossible for a provider, with the number of patients you have and the number of things to keep in mind, for you to do everything every time for a patient. And that gap causes a quality gap. The computer ends up being a reminder right at the point of care to say, "Hey, this patient needs this immunization or needs this test"...at a crucial time.

Mr. Sesno:  "At a crucial time."

Dr. Klonder:  And the provider can do it and therefore, provide the better-quality care.