Benefitting the Wounded Warrior

A Snapshot of the NHIN in Action: Benefiting the Wounded Warrior

Imagine this scenario. A Minnesota Army National Guard lieutenant has sustained severe injuries from a roadside explosion while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. Lieutenant “Everysoldier” received immediate care at an Army combat surgical hospital in Afghanistan. Once stable, he was flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for additional intensive care and surgery. Doctors had electronic access to treatment records from the combat surgical hospital. After two weeks, Lieutenant Everysoldier was transported to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington for further evaluation and treatment and his records followed him back to the U.S..

Due to significant traumatic brain injuries, Lieutenant Everysoldier was transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center for continuing medical treatment for his brain injuries. A health summary of the Military Health System’s treatment is transferred to the VA. Lieutenant Everysoldier’s family lives in Rochester, Minn. They requested that he be transferred to Minnesota for continued care and rehabilitation at a local private healthcare organization. The private agency requested that the Department of Defense and VA transfer a summary of treatment on Lieutenant Everysoldier in order to maintain the quality and continuity of care. Through the CONNECT Gateway, the patient’s information was requested, approved and sent electronically so that treatment could be based on accurate and complete information and begin expeditiously.