Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is updating its health records system to an electronic format, aiming for better efficiency and access to patient information. The new system is set to be in more VA facilities by 2026, but there have been some reported issues during its rollout. The update should help healthcare providers manage records more easily and improve the quality of care for veterans.
Key Facts
- The VA is moving veterans' health records to a new electronic platform through a program called the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM).
- The new system aims to improve how healthcare providers store and track patient data.
- There have been some problems reported, like lost patient records and incorrect information after software updates.
- As of now, the system is active in six VA facilities across the U.S.
- The new system will help providers access important medical images and veterans' complete health records, enhancing decision-making.
- Veterans will no longer need to manually transfer records when leaving the military since data will be stored electronically.
- The older system was becoming difficult to upgrade because it was customized individually by various VA centers.
- The change aims to make appointments more effective and reduce repeated procedures for veterans.
