From: ndallen@r-node.gts.org (Nigel Allen)
Subject: Composite Health Care System for U.S. Military Nears Deployment Readiness
Organization: Echo Beach, Toronto
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 08:13:56 GMT

Here is a press release from Science Applications International Corp.
(SAIC), which developed the Composite Health Care System.

I am not familiar with the system.  If you would like more 
information about it, please contact SAIC directly.

 Composite Health Care System Nears Deployment Readiness, GAO Reports
to Congress
 To: National and Business desks, Medical Writer
 Contact: Joan Moore of SAIC, 703-824-5918

   FALLS CHURCH, Va., Dec. 16  -- The Composite Health Care 
System (CHCS), the world's most comprehensive medical
information system, is nearing deployment readiness, according to a
report issued on Dec. 15 by the General Accounting Office (GAO).
   CHCS is an automated, integrated hospital information system being
developed and installed by Science Applications International Corp.
(SAIC) for the Department of Defense (DOD).  When fully implemented,
CHCS will facilitate the delivery of quality health care to all
active and retired U.S. military personnel at more than 750 military
medical facilities worldwide.
   The GAO report stated that, "DOD's development of CHCS is
progressing and the problems it is encountering are to be expected
when developing and deploying a system of this size and complexity."
The report states that DOD can deploy CHCS on a limited basis while
DOD takes the administrative actions necessary for a worldwide
deployment decision.
   The report did not find any functional or technical deficiencies
in the system and stated that when these administrative actions are
successfully completed, the system is ready for worldwide deployment.
   In GAO's view, the actions DOD needs to complete are: revise the
life cycle cost estimates; and complete a new, detailed installation
plan that reflects the changes in DOD base structure and budget
realities; finish a final formal operational test.
   The two CHCS functions needing a final operational test and
evaluation are patient data archive and retrieval, and identifying
and removing multiple patient records.
   These features are now installed and operating at CHCS test sites,
and are currently undergoing the final formal operational test and
evaluation by the DOD's Office of Operational Test & Evaluation
(OT&E), an independent organization which reports both to Congress
and the Secretary of Defense.
   While GAO had concerns about these features in May, in September
GAO observed a successful operational demonstration of these two
important capabilities at the Ft. Knox Hospital, and noted in this
report that testing should be completed in the Spring of 1993.
   As mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act, the
Congress permits a limited deployment of elements of the CHCS that
the Secretary of Defense certifies as operationally functional, cost
effective, and needed to replace outdated existing systems.  DOD
submitted a report to Congress in November recommending a worldwide
deployment of CHCS now.
   In the November report, DOD noted that CHCS will reduce the cost
of DOD health care by more than $2.5 billion during the system life.
In addition, CHCS will dramatically improve access to and the quality
of care provided to DOD service men and women worldwide.  Pending the
final worldwide deployment decision by Congress, DOD will field CHCS
at selected sites under the authority provided by the Congress.
   The CHCS cost/benefit analysis, contained in the DOD report,
determined that the program's $1.54 billion life-cycle cost over five
years (which falls below the $1.6 billion Congressional spending cap)
will generate $2.4 billion in benefits to the DOD.  In addition, CHCS
reduces the annual increase in the cost of medical care in DOD
facilities from nine percent down to seven percent.
   The analysis was validated independently by the Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis & Evaluation).
   The CHCS has been well-received by more than 50,000 users at 137
test sites around the world, which are providing care to 2.5 million
beneficiaries.  CHCS recently received a Federal Leadership Award for
making exceptional contributions to mission effectiveness, cost
effectiveness, and public service to the use of information systems.
   The system also served as a highly flexible and responsive medical 
information system during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
   According to the U.S. Army Surgeon General, in testimony before
Congress: "CHCS has achieved a high level of acceptance from
ancillary staff and is gaining increased support from (health care)
providers as improvements to the system are made.  Hospital
commanders at CHCS sites designated to receive casualties from
Operation Desert Storm considered CHCS to be essential to successful
management."
   Through enhanced information management, DOD health care providers
are delivering higher quality services with less effort and expense.
The U.S. Air Force Surgeon General said, in testimony before
Congress: "With CHCS we have reduced test result turnaround times and
duplicate Lab and Radiology orders.  The system provides on-line
profiles and drug interaction information.  Health care providers now
have patient care information right at their desks."
    ------
   Note: For copies of the Department of Defense report to Congress
on the Composite Health Care System, call Joan Moore of SAIC,
703-824-5918.
 -30-
-- 
Newsgroups: sci.med