Sanford Health pledges data sharing with V.A. to improve care for veterans

Sanford Health among 13 health systems to partner with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Lowering barriers for sharing veterans’ medical records between healthcare systems will improve efficiency, lower costs and create better outcomes.

That’s the aim of a new collaboration set to take place between South Dakota-based Sanford Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which, along with 12 other community health care systems across the country, have pledged to share data to improve the veteran experience regardless of where they receive their health care — inside or outside of a VA clinic or hospital.

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According to the pledge, the VA and the 13 community health care systems will work to improve veteran health care by “seamlessly exchanging information about care provided and requested; save money for veterans by ensuring that they are taking advantage of VA and community resources; and connect veterans with VA benefits, including new benefits for toxic exposure-related conditions under the PACT Act.” The pledge commits to safeguarding the privacy and security of veteran information by securely exchanging information about care provided and requested.

“It is a privilege for us to care for our veterans, and this collaboration will help provide a better health care experience for the men and women who have done so much for us,” said Capt. Paul Weckman, head of military and veteran affairs at Sanford Health. “We wholeheartedly support the VA’s goals of improving care for our nation’s veterans because it is the right thing to do.”

Sanford has a record of supporting veterans and military members with programs, including a Veteran Ambassador Program and a Veteran Hotline. Sanford has also been recognized by Military Times for being one of the best employers across the country for veterans.

The other health care systems partnering with VA in this effort are Emory Healthcare, Inova, Jefferson Health, UC Davis Health, Intermountain Health, Mass General Brigham, Rush Health, Tufts Medical Center, Marshfield Clinic, Kaiser Permanente Health Plan and Hospitals, UPMC and Atrium Health.