VA reviewing the conditions at upcoming implementation sites to ensure local conditions allow for a safe EHR deployment.
It’s a matter of placing safety first for veterans and medical professionals, VA said, detailing some examples of delays in the MISSION Act, officially called the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act.
For example, VA cited the electronic health record (EHR) implementation date that has been delayed at the VA Central Ohio Healthcare System due to the surge of COVID-19 cases impacting the workforce.
Dr. Terry Adirim, the program executive director of the Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office — who manages the daily operations of VA’s electronic health record modernization (EHRM) — said they need to weigh the deployment of EHR against the safety of the medical professionals and their patients.
“Our primary mission is to serve veterans,” said Adirim. “As we see the pandemic surge in the Columbus community, we need to support the medical professionals while they focus their attention on meeting the health-care needs of their patients. EHR deployment activities must be weighed against community health and can be resumed when it is appropriate to do so.”
VA leadership consulted with leaders at the Ohio facility and the decision was made to shift the implementation of the EHR system from March 5 to April 30. VA said in a release that officials are continuously reviewing the conditions at upcoming implementation sites to ensure local conditions allow for a safe EHR deployment.
VA is not alone in the hurdles they’ve faced during the pandemic.
The American Legion was forced to pause Regional Office Action Review (ROAR) and System Worth Saving (SWS) site visits. The ROAR and SWS visits evolved from a 2002 survey and the information collected during these visits is delivered to Congress as part of The American Legion’s annual assessment of VA health-care facilities. The American Legion hopes to resumes these visits as soon as VA facilities reopen to visitors.
- Veterans Benefits