CCSi Commends VA for Expanding Blue Button

Enhanced Features Strengthen Continuity of Care

Creative Computing Solutions, Inc (CCSi), a leading provider of program/project management services, cybersecurity and security services, health informatics and services, and enterprise systems engineering to the federal government, applauds the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for significantly enhancing the functionality of Blue Button. Provided as part of the My HealtheVet program, Blue Button enables Veterans to view and download their essential health and medical information online. For the nearly one million Veterans who use Blue Button, the new features give them electronic access to more detailed health information and the ability to share records more easily with providers.

“At the recent HiMSS Conference in New Orleans, former President Clinton cited Blue Button as a model for sharing health information. We could not agree more,” said Dr. Naren Bewtra, president and chief operating officer of CCSi. “We have partnered with the VA since Blue Button’s inception and are proud to work on an initiative that is instrumental to improving veteran access and quality of care. These new features will help Veterans take a more proactive and knowledgeable approach so doctors can make more holistic treatment decisions.”

Specifically, the VA added the Continuity of Care Document (CCD), which provides a summary of a Veteran’s essential health and medical care information. The enhanced version will enable Veterans to download electronic human (.PDF)- and machine (.XML)-readable files that they can distribute to their healthcare teams, family and caregivers, and in the near future share the CCD electronically with outside VA providers. Additional software functionality includes VA OpenNotes, which provides Veterans the ability to read and share medical notes from their doctors.

“Information technology is fundamentally increasing patient involvement in healthcare management – cutting costs, giving clinicians more time to focus on serious patient issues, and delivering better health outcomes,” said George Mahler, Senior Program Manager of CCSi. “It is so gratifying to use our federal expertise and IT knowledge to help bring to light a simple concept: a smarter engagement with more informed patients results in better health care experiences and outcomes.”

“CCSi looks forward to continuing our work with the VA on enhancements to MHV and Blue Button,” added Bewtra. “Our mission is to continually improve access, interoperability and portability, resulting in outcome-driven, Veteran-centric health services.”