VA EHR Modernization

VA EHR Moderization

This Veterans Day we honor our veterans and explore the VA EHR Modernization initiative. The VA’s EHR history and timeline began in 1983.  The VA has been transitioning to their new electronic health record (EHR) system since 2015 when it awarded the then Cerner now Oracle the first contract of the project.  The software stores health information and tracks all aspects of patient care. The Federal EHR connects VA medical facilities with the Department of Defense (DoD), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and participating community care providers, allowing clinicians to easily access a Veteran’s full medical history in one location. The VA EHRM Integration Office manages deployment of the new system.

VA Extends Oracle EHR Modernization Contract

In June 2024 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced the award of the second option period for its contract with Oracle Health in support of VA’s Federal Electronic Health Record modernization, with an emphasis on improved fiscal and performance accountability.

Negotiations for the second option period are focused on two main objectives: 1) supporting value-added services, such as system improvements and optimizations, and 2) achieving better predictability in hosting, deployment, and sustainment — all while keeping an eye on fiscal responsibility. These objectives align with and facilitate VA’s reset efforts towards resuming site deployments in fiscal year 2025. VA will continue to evaluate and align future option periods with the best path forward for its Federal EHR modernization efforts.

VA at ai4 Conference

In August I attended the ai4 conference and sat in a session by the VA and how they are implementing AI.

Presenters:
Terry Luedtke, Director of Product Engineering, Electronic Health Records Modernization Integration Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Kaeli Yuen, Artificial Intelligence Product Lead Office of the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

An overview and sample case studies of Artificial Intelligence organization and application at the Department of Veterans Affairs. With all the bad press the VA has received on their multi-leveled EHR rollout these past few years, it is nice to see the department continuing modernization on all fronts including AI.

Using AI Tech Sprints is providing a novel approach to innovation to meet Veteran needs. AI Tech Sprints are three-month competitive engagements that foster collaboration between industry, academia, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Teams compete to create AI-enabled tools that leverage federal data to address specific Veteran health care issues.

Here are a few slides of interest during their session.

What’s Ahead

VA plans to exit the Reset and begin pre-deployment activities in FY 2025, at which time VA will release a new deployment schedule. The EHRM program is important to VA, and they are committed to making it happen.

“We need a single health record across the VA system and one that talks more effectively to the Department of Defense (DoD).”

Webinar Honoring HHS Veterans: Exploring Career Paths in Science and Medicine at HHS

When:Nov 13, 2024, 1pm ET
Register for this event

HHS is hosting the virtual event, “Webinar Honoring HHS Veterans: Exploring Career Paths in Science and Medicine at HHS,” on Wednesday, November 13, from 1-3 p.m. ET.
The webinar will showcase veterans excelling in diverse career opportunities across HHS in health science and medicine, as it will feature three veteran panelists from CDC, FDA, and NIH, who will share insights into their careers and discuss how their military service has shaped their paths.