Veterans agency to track, assess PTSD treatments

The Veterans Affairs Department wants to develop a Web-based system for tracking and analyzing clinical data about the treatment that veterans receive for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The VA has said previously that it has expanded care for the large number of soldiers returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer from the condition. The department now wants to be able to assess its treatment and outcomes.

VA published a request for proposals from vendors for the PTSD treatment monitoring tool on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site Oct. 28.

The software will run alongside VA’s VistA computerized patient record system and extract data on veterans’ PTSD care, according to the notice. The system will then generate reports for VA healthcare program managers.

Once the system is deployed, the program manager will be able to view a set of patients grouped by their providers and the patients’ summary of treatment. The system will let the program manager evaluate “how treatments are being applied across diverse clinics with convenience and efficiency,” the notice said.

The PTSD software will use historical and current patient and appointment data, prescription information and assessments from a separate mental health assistant software tool that is incorporated in the patient record system.

The vendor will apply a Java program to transform and analyze the data. For instance, prescription information could be converted into average dose with a start and end date, according to the notice.

VA said it will apply information privacy and security safeguards, including controlled access to the program.

The contract will be for one year. Vendors must respond by Nov. 13. The notice is online.