VA Deploys EHR System to Four More Medical Centers

The Department of Veterans Affairs deployed its electronic health record system to four medical centers in Ohio and Kentucky on June 6, marking the latest phase of an accelerated rollout effort after the department addressed issues identified during earlier deployments.

The facilities receiving the EHR are the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, the Dayton VA Medical Center and the Fort Thomas VA Medical Center in Kentucky.

“I am confident this deployment will ensure our clinicians have access to the full picture of every veteran’s health data, enabling our clinicians to deliver improved care to veterans,” VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence said in a statement.

Ohio Marks EHR’s Second Wave

The Ohio and Kentucky deployments follow an initial wave of EHR launches in Michigan. The accelerated rollout is intended to provide more connected, efficient and patient-centered experiences for veterans.

The launch supports more than 107,000 veterans and 7,200 VA clinicians and staff across the southern Ohio region.

The VA touted numerous the benefits of the EHR deployment:

• Seamless transfer of military health records among the VA, the Department of War and other federal partners.
• Integration of health information from private-sector providers into VA care.
• More time for doctors and nurses to spend with patients and less time navigating outdated technology.
• Fewer duplicative tests because prior results are more easily accessible.
• Greater ability for VA facilities to share medical best practices.
• Improved continuity of care when veterans transfer among facilities or require emergency treatment at unfamiliar locations.

VA officials said the department addressed hundreds of issues identified during the initial rollout at the first six deployment sites. Many of those challenges stemmed from local customization efforts that created complexity and inconsistencies across facilities.

The renewed effort emphasizes a standardized system across all VA facilities to reduce complications that delayed previous deployments.

The department has also streamlined governance by replacing multiple decision-making councils with a single council that reports directly to VA leadership. Officials said the change increases accountability and accelerates decision-making.

“We are rapidly expanding this modern EHR system throughout the department to improve experiences for both veterans and VA employees,” Lawrence said in a statement.

The next EHR deployments are scheduled for Indiana in August.