Implementing a new electronic health record is never easy and always has some challenges. But, the undertaking is particularly complex for the Department of Defense because of its operational requirements.
Among DoD’s requirements for the Cerner EHR system is the ability to operate in austere environments and the need for robust cybersecurity, according to Navy Vice Admiral Raquel Bono, MD, director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA).
William Tinston, program executive officer for the Program Executive Office Defense Health Care Management Systems, notes that DoD and the Department of Veterans Affairs will share a single common EHR, and cybersecurity is an example of how the two agencies are cooperating and engaging in joint decision-making.
“DoD sets the standard for cybersecurity, and we invest time and resources to ensure the common system (with the VA) meets that standard,” said Tinston during a briefing this week. “Our cyber team is collocated with the commercial (Cerner) data center, which strengthens our federal and commercial relationships and allows for continuous cyber monitoring.
“As a result of our efforts, the VA will leverage the cyber…
