The Veterans Administration's Plans To Convert the Automated Hospital Information System at the Washington, D.C., Medical Center

A review was made of Veterans Administration (VA) plans to upgrade the Automated Hospital Information System (AHIS) at the Washington, D.C., Medical Center by converting it to operate on newer computer equipment. This system, which provides automated assistance for such inpatient functions as admissions and discharges, scheduling, dietetics, radiology, and intensive care, has been in operation on the present computer since 1967. In September 1979, VA awarded a contract for nearly $900,000 to convert AHIS by reprograming it to operate on newer computer equipment because, according to VA, the current equipment was becoming less reliable. In April 1980, the Office of Management and Budget questioned whether adequate regard was given to less costly alternatives and whether appropriate procurement procedures were followed. VA terminated the contract to reevaluate its approach to the conversion before reissuing the request for proposals.

VA violated Federal procurement regulations in awarding the AHIS conversion contract. In addition, VA failed to follow its own procedures and the need to more fully consider other solutions to its AHIS conversion effort. It did not fully explore acquisition of available private sector or Government-owned hospital information systems for meeting the medical center's information needs in a more timely and less costly manner. VA also did not conduct the cost/benefit study required by its procedures to support the AHIS conversion procurement.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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