The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently revealed its plan to restart the deployment of its new electronic health records (EHR) system, developed by Oracle Cerner, in 2026. This relaunch, set to begin with four VA medical centers in Michigan—Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw—comes after a significant pause that was instituted due to concerns about patient safety and system practicality.
Issues with Initial Implementation
Critical Challenges at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center
The decision to halt the EHR system rollout was prompted by serious issues encountered during the initial implementation at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, in late 2020. Almost immediately, problems emerged concerning scheduling, prescriptions, and workflows, leading to a severe slowdown in subsequent rollouts. By 2022, the system had been deployed in only five medical centers located in the Pacific Northwest and Ohio. Significant disruptions, including 149 instances of patient harm reported by the VA Office of Inspector General, highlighted the gravity of the challenges. Among these incidents was the case of a suicidal veteran who did not receive a crucial psychiatry referral due to the system’s failures.
Faced with these concerning outcomes, VA leadership decided to reassess the situation, resulting in a pause intended to address the initial problems meticulously. This break offered an opportunity to scrutinize the EHR system in order to find viable solutions and prevent future mishaps. Consequently, the VA began an extensive evaluation process, aiming to understand the inherent flaws and to innovate the system’s functionalities for better performance. The setbacks experienced at the start emphasized the importance of a dependable and user-friendly healthcare system for veterans.
Patient Safety and Performance Enhancements
During the pause, VA leaders reflected on the recurring issues and concentrated efforts on enhancing the EHR system. Over the past 18 months, several upgrades have been introduced to address the core problems and ensure heightened system reliability. VA Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher emphasized that taking this time to listen to veterans and clinicians helped uncover critical insights into the problems faced. This feedback has been instrumental in refining the EHR system, with a clear focus on improved veteran trust and system performance.
Key improvements include notable system reliability enhancements, with no reported outages for over 200 days. Furthermore, the EHR system functioned flawlessly for 10 out of the past 16 months. These advancements underscore the dedication and commitment by the VA to developing a system that meets the complex needs of veterans while providing top-tier healthcare solutions. The pause has thus proven to be an essential period for rigorous testing and significant refinement, leading to a more robust and reliable EHR system ready for the relaunch.
Moving Forward with Deployment
Successful Installation at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
A noteworthy success during the system’s improvement phase was its joint deployment with the Defense Department at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois. This milestone marked the successful completion of the Pentagon’s integration of the EHR system, with positive evaluations from VA officials and facility director Dr. Robert Buckley. The effective performance of the system and the dedicated team of staff were pivotal in ensuring high-quality patient care, serving as an encouraging blueprint for future VA rollouts.
The success at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center exemplified the potential of the enhanced EHR system. The facility’s staff showcased dedication and adaptability, ensuring that the system was seamlessly integrated into its operations. This successful deployment provided tangible evidence of the system’s improved functionality and reliability. It also instilled confidence in its capacity to deliver the intended benefits to other medical centers. The performance during this phase reaffirmed the importance of continuous engagement and adaptation to the unique needs of each facility for the broader implementation plan.
Michigan Sites Prepare for 2026 Rollout
As preparations commence at the Michigan sites for the 2026 deployment, the VA is committed to ensuring that this rollout is meticulously planned and executed. The focus remains on leveraging advanced technology to elevate the standard of care for veterans while learning from and resolving past challenges in the EHR system’s implementation. This phase emphasizes the importance of detailed planning, rigorous testing, and ongoing support to guarantee a seamless and successful deployment.
In the upcoming weeks, the Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw centers will begin readying themselves for the major transition. Ensuring that staff are adequately trained and conversant with the new system is a priority, as is continuously engaging with veterans to gather constructive feedback throughout the process. The VA’s approach underscores a commitment to prioritizing patient safety, enhancing system performance, and ultimately providing a more integrated and efficient healthcare experience for veterans. These preparations reflect a broader commitment to adopting technology in a way that addresses previous setbacks while striving for long-term success.
Enhancing Veteran Care through Technology
User Feedback and System Reliability
The VA’s relaunch strategy places a strong emphasis on a cautious and improvement-focused approach to deploying the Oracle Cerner EHR system. By consistently addressing prior issues and engaging with veterans and clinicians, the VA aims to bolster both patient safety and the system’s overall performance. The emphasis on user feedback and iterative improvements showcases a dedication to learning from past experiences and adopting best practices in healthcare technology.
The VA’s strategy reflects a broader trend within healthcare technology implementation, which revolves around prioritizing user experience and system reliability. By fostering continuous dialogue with users and integrating their feedback, the VA seeks to create a system that is both effective and resilient. This approach underscores the importance of putting veterans at the center of technological advancement in healthcare, ensuring that their needs and concerns are met with practical solutions.
Ensuring Long-term Success
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it will restart the implementation of its new electronic health records (EHR) system, developed by Oracle Cerner, in 2026. This decision comes after a significant pause that was put in place due to patient safety concerns and issues with the system’s practicality. The initial rollout in 2026 will begin at four VA medical centers in Michigan: Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw.
The VA’s new EHR system is intended to modernize medical records management, streamline processes, and improve care for veterans. This relaunch comes after a thorough evaluation period, where the VA addressed various technical and operational challenges. The goal is to ensure that this new system will ultimately provide a more efficient and safer healthcare experience for veterans. By carefully selecting these four medical centers for the relaunch, the VA aims to monitor performance and make necessary adjustments before a broader rollout. After ensuring success in these pilot locations, the VA plans to expand the system to other facilities nationwide.
