The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is making significant strides in the deployment of its federal electronic health record system, with plans to expand to 13 medical facilities next year. The complete rollout of the EHR at all VA medical facilities is expected to be achieved as early as 2031.
Why It Matters
The VA recently announced that nine additional facilities will be added to the deployment list in 2025, following consultations with regional and local VA medical leaders, clinicians, and EHR vendor, Oracle Health. VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized the urgency of integrating veterans’ medical records across the VA and Department of Defense to improve patient care.
The VA’s EHR modernization project, which was temporarily halted in April 2023, has resumed with deployments at four Michigan VA facilities after witnessing improved veteran trust and clinician satisfaction. Secretary Doug Collins expressed a commitment to prioritizing patient safety, quality, and customer service throughout the deployment process.
The Larger Trend
Oracle Health and Oracle Life Sciences executive vice president, Seema Verma, informed lawmakers about the company’s plans to migrate the Oracle Health EHR to the cloud. This transition is expected to enhance scalability and security, enabling the VA to expedite the deployment process without compromising data integrity.
Additionally, the Government Accountability Office has provided recommendations to improve the VA’s EHR system, emphasizing the importance of cost estimating, scheduling, and system metrics. While progress has been made in implementing some recommendations, there are still areas that require attention to enhance the overall efficiency of the EHR system.
On the Record
“America’s veterans deserve a medical records system that’s integrated across all VA and DOD components, and that is exactly what we will deliver,” stated VA Secretary Doug Collins. The VA remains committed to listening to feedback from healthcare professionals and vendor partners to ensure that the EHR deployment is conducted smoothly and with a focus on patient care.
In conclusion, the VA’s efforts to modernize its electronic health record system demonstrate a commitment to enhancing healthcare services for veterans. By leveraging cloud technology and incorporating feedback from stakeholders, the VA aims to streamline the deployment process and improve the overall efficiency of its EHR system.
Andrea Fox is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.
