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Fairchild participates in Electronic Health Record testing

Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, speaks with members of the 92nd Medical group during a tour Jan. 15, 2016, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The tour was part of the testing and rollout process for the Defense Department’s new Electronic Health Record program, a graduated platform for DOD integration with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other healthcare network partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous)

Fairchild participates in Electronic Health Record testing

Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, speaks with Lt. Col. Troy McGill, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy flight commander, about the new Electronic Health Records program during a tour Jan. 15, 2016, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Fairchild staff will be testing and training on the new program over the next year and will begin utilizing it as the official 92nd Medical Group patient record in December. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous)

Fairchild participates in Electronic Health Record testing

Members from the 92nd Medical Group pose with Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dr. William Roberts, Military Health System Electronic Health Record Functional Champion, and Navy Commander Jason Todd Lewis, Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, during a tour Jan. 15, 2016, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The tour was part of the testing and rollout process for the Defense Department’s new EHR program, a graduated platform for DOD integration with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other healthcare network partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous)

Fairchild participates in Electronic Health Record testing

Published Jan. 28, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, WASH. -- The 92nd Medical Group at Fairchild Air Force Base hosted three high-ranking officials from the Pentagon Jan. 15 as part of the testing and rollout process for the Defense Department's new Electronic Health Record program, a graduated platform for DOD integration with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other healthcare network partners.

Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, headed the group of distinguished visitors. He was accompanied by Dr. William Roberts, Military Health System EHR Functional Champion, and Navy Commander Jason Todd Lewis, Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.

Fairchild was an initial site due to its Pacific Northwest locale being the main testing area for the initiation, conjoining with Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Naval Hospital Bremerton at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash.

"Dr. Woodson was here to learn about the progress, struggles and concerns regarding the implementation of the new EHR from the medical group members," said Capt. Shelly Hanson, 92nd MDG education, training and professional development flight commander. "He gave insight into how the 92nd MDG members should be enthusiastic about the EHR rollout and to be innovators."

Fairchild staff will be testing and training on the new program over the next year and will begin its utilization in December.

"As the time comes closer to the implementation, we will have town halls and marketing events to let patients know about new features that will be available to them," said Col. Meg Carey, 92nd MDG commander. "New features include a patient portal that allows them to access information in their medical record and message the health care team."

Dr. Woodson's visit gave the 92nd MDG staff the opportunity to showcase our process improvements and highlight our interactions prepping for training, testing and implementation of the EHR, Carey said.

The 92nd MDG staff presented the progress that had been made in instant messaging and information technology capabilities, as well as systems preparation.

"Patients of the 92nd MDG will see no changes to their healthcare experience at all due to the EHR rollout until next winter at the earliest, and the explanation of such changes will be transparent once they occur," Carey said.