VA's OSEHRA (Open Source Electronic Health Record Agent) Launches Code Repository and Certification Process

[CC-Conrad Clyburn-MedForeSight]

The Next Step In The Creation Of The Open Source System

Arlington, Virginia – OSEHRA, the Open Source Electronic Health Record Agent, a notfor-
profit foundation facilitating EHR (Electronic Health Record) improvements through open
source development, announced today the launch of its Code Repository and Software Quality
Certification Process. The establishment of the repository and certification process is a
significant step in ensuring that OSEHRA provides its community with robust tools that enable
users, developers, and researchers to engage with and advance electronic health record
technology.

OSEHRA’s Code Repository contains the initial Open Source EHR codebase, consisting
of an initial contribution by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of its current VistA
(Veterans Health Information System Technology and Architecture) electronic health record
software. In order to foster increased innovation in EHR technology, VA previously launched the
open source software project that led to OSEHRA’s creation and is an active participant in the
OSEHRA community.

Software Quality Certification is initially the attestation, and ultimately the verification,
that all executable artifacts managed by OSEHRA are Safe, Compliant, and Functional. A
detailed description of OSEHRA software quality certification can be found in the Software
Quality Certification Plan (http://www.osehra.org/drupal_commons/page/plans-and-whitepapers)
at OSEHRA.org.

“The repository and software quality certification process define the concrete steps
necessary for a user of the Open Source EHR to contribute code back into the open source
system,” said Seong K. Mun, Ph.D., Acting OSEHRA President, and CEO. “This is the first step
towards true innovation and modernization of the VistA codebase, and OSEHRA welcomes those
interested in participating in this exciting journey to visit the OSEHRA website at
www.osehra.org and join the community.”

Dr. Mun will host a 45-minute webinar on October 19, 2011, at 11:00AM EDT, titled
“OSEHRA: Open for Business” where he will provide a progress report on OSEHRA activities,
discuss the strategic direction of the organization and encourage community participation.
Webinar link is https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/442666430.

About OSEHRA
OSEHRA (Open Source Electronic Health Record Agent) governs an open, collaborative community of
users, developers, and researchers engaged in advancing electronic health record technology. For more
information, visit www.osehra.org.

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Media Contact
Conrad Clyburn
OSEHRA
[e-mail]
[phone]