VA CTO Says Blue Button Changing Clinical Encounters

In 2010, the Veterans Administration launched the Blue Button, a standards format that allows simple exchange of a patient's personal health data. Initially designed for use by veterans, the idea has taken off in the private sector and has been supported by at least one major care provider overseas.

According to VA’s chief technology officer and Blue Button’s developer Peter Levin, Blue Button is expanding much more than your average American is aware of. With regard to the future, “this changes everything,” Levin said. “Blue Button really is on the vanguard of changing the clinical encounter. Patients now have access to their record. It's all there, all organized.”...