WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began using its new electronic health record (EHR) system Oct. 24 at select VA facilities in the Pacific Northwest and Las Vegas, marking the beginning of a transformation in how VA delivers care to Veterans.
More than 24,000 Veterans receiving primary care at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Spokane, Washington, will benefit from VA’s first full implementation of the new software, which provides VA health care staff with a modern EHR that is interoperable with the Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Coast Guard and community care partners.
“This milestone is the result of 27 months of planning, collaboration and steadfast work by our Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) team, the Cerner team, leaders and staff across VA and our partners within DoD,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This is an historic step toward creating a seamless health care experience for Veterans, from the time they enter the military through their care at VA.”
The new system puts VA and DoD on a single electronic health record, which improves Veterans’ health care experiences by eliminating their need to keep or carry paper records detailing care received from either department. Care providers from both departments will be able to view, update and securely exchange patient data in the new system, which also enables increased information sharing with providers in the communities where Veterans live and receive care.
In addition to the launch at the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC and its four community-based outpatient clinics located in Wenatchee, Washington; Libby, Montana; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Sandpoint, Idaho. VA also began using the new system at the West Consolidated Patient Account Center, the VA business operations facility in Las Vegas that supports billing for the Pacific Northwest.
The new EHR system complements VA’s longstanding health record system, Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture, also known as VistA, and Computerized Patient Record System at these sites. The EHRM program will continue rolling out the new software until it is in place nationwide at all VA facilities by 2028.
Originally published by Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
More Stories
| December 20, 2024
VA begins early-stage planning for the next Federal Electronic Health Record rollout in mid-2026, continues ongoing improvement efforts at existing sites
Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it is beginning early-stage planning to deploy the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system to four Michigan facilities — Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw — in mid-2026.
| June 13, 2024
VA awards second option period to Oracle Health in support of Federal Electronic Health Record modernization contract
Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization office launched the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. This is the first joint deployment of the federal EHR, which DoD calls MHS GENESIS, at a joint VA and Department of Defense (DoD) facility.
| March 13, 2024
VA, DoD, and FEHRM roll out Federal Electronic Health Record in North Chicago
Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization office launched the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. This is the first joint deployment of the federal EHR, which DoD calls MHS GENESIS, at a joint VA and Department of Defense (DoD) facility.
