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VistA-Office EHR Evaluation

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) engaged Sujansky & Associates to conduct an independent evaluation of the VistA-Office EHR system at ten beta test sites. Vista-Office EHR (VOE) is an ambulatory EHR system that CMS developed in 2005 based on the Veterans Health Administration's VistA clinical information system. As an open-source application, VOE is available license-free and may offer a low-cost alternative for small physician practices seeking an EHR.

In this project, Sujansky & Associates assessed whether VOE is ready for widespread use as an EHR in the private sector. Specifically:

  • Is VOE generally suitable for use as an electronic health record in small private practices and community clinics?
  • Does VOE deliver the envisioned benefits of an EHR?
  • What are the "success factors" for the initial implementation and sustained clinical use of VOE in small physician practices?
  • What are the overall financial costs to a practice of implementing and operating VOE?
  • Can the public-private model envisioned by CMS effectively distribute and support VOE?

The evaluation entailed a detailed assessment of the VOE technology and the experiences of the practice sites and vendors involved in the beta test. The deliverables included a narrative report, a database of formal survey responses, and several presentations to CMS and other stakeholders.

Relevant documents:

  •  An Evaluation of VistA-Office EHR in the Small Practice Setting: Functional Performance, Economic Costs, and Implementation/Support Processes (Final Report)



    • Highlights
    • The evaluation involved 10 clinical sites ranging from solo practitioners to hospital-based clinics. Represented specialties included internal medicine, family practice, ob/gyn, nephrology, and ophthalmology

    • Sujansky & Associates developed 10 survey instruments that included 250 questions covering 30 topic areas

    • Surveys were administered via structured telephone interviews to maximize the clarity and accuracy of responses

    • The project was delivered on time and on budget

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