Talk:Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture

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[edit] VistA history

I have commented out the paragraph contributed by 70.108.148.50. Although it provides some information, the content isn't clear ("The first Hardhats were the developers of DHCP, called that because they felt like they were working on an "Underground Railroad"--huh?), contextual ("Some people have suggested that the VA could become the nucleus of a United States national health care system."--because of VistA?, why?), referenced, or neutral("become one of the premier health providers in the world despite being grossly underfunded by Congress"). Some claims are speculative ("The support Congressman Montgomery provided to the VA has been greatly missed.") and really don't provide the reader with any explanation--has funding been reduced? Is VistA being displaced by other software? The paragraph needs to be rewritten with Wikipedia guidelines in mind, and the goal of providing information, not an opinion or a memorial. Ryanjo 02:06, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Plugs for other software

I have removed the link to GNUmed.

While I agree with the open source outlook of the GNUmed developers, it is not related to VistA in any way.

I would also object to every other EMR / EHR system posting their links to a page about VistA.

[edit] Mixing VistA with More Public VistA

I'm wondering if this page should be split between the VistA the VA uses and the ones being used outside. While there's lots of good information here, I'm left with the impression that the VA is using the same software as the public distributions. I believe this is not really the case. The VA develops VistA for their own use, makes available a copy of the source code under Freedom of Information Act, that others then use for their own purposes. The references to GT.M and distribution discussions should clarify that the source flows from the VA one-way, and others have added other things and distribute for their purposes.

Also, VistA Office/EHR is a government sanctioned distribution - not mentioned or linked.

Lyle 22:46, 15 August 2007 (UTC)