Electronic health record (EHR) systems are essential for improving health quality and managing health care delivery, whether in an extremely huge health system, a hospital or a primary care clinic. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed and maintains a robust EHR known as VistA – the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture. This system was designed and developed to strengthen a high-quality medical care environment for America's veterans. The VistA system is maintained today in hundreds of VA medical centers and outpatient clinics across the country. (http://worldvista.org/AboutVistA)VistA has a proven track record of revitalizing a huge variety of clinical settings and medical delivery systems. Facilities range from small clinics that provide only outpatient care to generously large medical centers with a primary inpatient population and their associated specialties, such as surgical care or dermatology. These systems consume clinically relevant record keeping that improves patient care by improving clinical and administrative decision making. Versions of this system are actively used by the United States Department of Defense's Military Health System, the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service, and across internationally, for example in Mexico - Mexican Institute del Saguaro Gregarious and National Cancer Institute of Cairo University in Egypt. (http://worldvista.org/AboutVistA)The costs associated with acquiring and supporting an EHR can pose a barrier to improving the quality of healthcare provided by limiting the availability of fast and accurate access to electronic patient information. A c...... middle of paper ...... and health IT professionals and include subject matter experts for real-world EHR systems being implemented. Work teams should include subject matter experts who represent physicians, nursing, and administration as team members. (Pinnacle Business Management Specialists)An EHR Implementation Program Manager is responsible for one of the most challenging projects in healthcare today. They require strengthening management and work teams to implement, maintain and operate a successful EHR. (Pinnacle Business Management Specialists)My personal experience in this area, as a disabled veteran using the VA for medical care, has been nothing short of wonderful. But I know there are problems in the system and anything can happen. I like knowing that if I go to different VA clinics, they can look up my information and be able to help me..