Below are answers to frequently asked questions about VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program and the Federal electronic health record (EHR).
What is an electronic health record?
An EHR is a technology used by health care providers to store and track patient data. It is a digital version of a patient’s chart and health record.
What is the Electronic Health Record Modernization program?
VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program is managing the transition from VA’s current medical records system, Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), to the Federal EHR. The EHRM program will transition VA from more than 130 instances of VistA to a single Federal EHR shared between VA, DoD, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and participating community care providers.
VA’s EHRM Integration Office (EHRM-IO) in partnership with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), is working to establish awareness and the knowledge and skills necessary for VA facility leaders and staff to successfully adopt and use the new system.
Why is VA transitioning to the Federal EHR system?
The Federal EHR integrates more easily with other health information technologies and will enhance standardization across the VA enterprise and improve VA’s and DoD’s interoperability with the rest of the U.S. health care system. The Federal EHR will also support a more coordinated experience for VA staff and clinicians as they care for Veterans and will improve health care outcomes. Specifically:
- Access to health care records across DoD, VA, and community providers results in better care coordination for Veterans.
- Standardized care delivery, based on best practices, allows VA to provide consistent, high-quality care, regardless of location.
- Key metrics, standard across facilities, will allow VA to share supplies and equipment with real-time precision.
- Staff can more easily transfer between facilities without the need to re-train.
- VA can incorporate advancements in new health care technology faster through biannual multi-agency code upgrades and the integration of value-added software applications, artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and the latest cybersecurity measures.
What are the benefits of the Federal EHR for Veterans?
Adopting the same EHR system as DoD and other federal agencies is a Veteran-centric approach that will support service members as they transition from military service. A shared system means that health information entered into a Veteran’s health record by a doctor, pharmacy, or lab can be accessed by providers and staff at other facilities when they need it.
Where is the Federal EHR currently in use?
The Federal EHR is now in use at six VA medical centers (VAMCs), including a joint DoD/VA facility, 25 associated clinics, and 104 remote services (such as VA call centers, consolidated patient accounting centers, clinical resource hubs and the like, which support the medical centers and clinics). The Federal EHR is currently used at the following sites:
- Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (Spokane, WA)
- Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center (Walla Walla, WA)
- Roseburg VA Health Care System (Roseburg, OR)
- VA Southern Oregon Healthcare System (White City, OR)
- VA Central Ohio Health Care System (Columbus, OH)
- Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (North Chicago, IL)
When will the Federal EHR be deployed at my facility?
In April 2023, VA announced that as part of a larger program Reset, it was halting future deployments to prioritize improvements at the sites currently using the Federal EHR. When the Reset goals have been met, and the Reset concludes, VA will release a new deployment schedule and expects to resume pre-deployment activities in FY 2025 with greater confidence in the readiness of both the Federal EHR system and the VA health care system to successfully navigate this important change.
How can Veterans prepare for the Federal EHR system?
Veterans can prepare for the launch by making sure their communications preferences, contact information, and addresses are up to date in their VA profile at VA.gov before the Federal EHR launches at their facility.
Veterans whose legal name has changed may also need to update their information in DoD’s Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). For more information and how to make updates, visit: How do I Change My Name In My DEERS Record?
Veterans can also read the EHRM fact sheets.
What precautions are being taken to keep Veteran data secure as the Federal EHR is implemented nationwide?
VA is committed to guarding the privacy and security of Veteran information, and the Federal EHR is no exception. VA’s online patient portals are secure. VA follows strict security policies and practices to protect personal health information. Only Veterans and their VA health care team will have access to this information. VA complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the HIPAA Privacy Rule and the Privacy Act of 1974. Protecting Veteran health information is a top priority for VA, and Oracle Health and VA have established a secure transfer process between VistA and the Oracle Health data center that is compliant with national cybersecurity standards.
