The US Army has awarded a contract to Electronic Data Systems (EDS), a subsidiary of Hewlett Packard to develop applications for the army’s armed forces health longitudinal technology application (AHLTA) system.

Under the 12-month, $8.1m contract the company will develop applications for AHLTA which will improve electronic medical record (EMR) management, increase collaboration across service lines, and enhance interoperability between the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In addition, EDS will develop software applications for the AHLTA-related disability evaluation system, part of the Defense Department’s Wounded Warrior care programme, reports said.

EMR in a military base is a computerised legal medical record that delivers care, such as a hospital and doctor’s surgery. It functions like a health information system that allows storage, retrieval and manipulation of records.