In a newly published Management Advisory Memorandum, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlights critical concerns from facility leaders and staff regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. The memorandum, based on inspections of healthcare facilities, reveals significant issues including system shocks, inefficiency, staffing challenges, and negative impacts on patient safety.
Among the notable findings, staff reported substantial disruptions in daily operations, describing the new EHR as a major challenge affecting productivity. Slow system connectivity, lag times, and information losses were common complaints, leading to frustration and decreased morale. Additionally, the new system caused significant patient safety concerns, including issues with medication management and the lack of critical alerts for staff.
Financial impacts were also highlighted, as facilities reported losses in revenue due to limitations in the EHR’s ability to capture workload data. Leaders at the facilities expressed concern about staff burnout and the inability to fill vacancies, further exacerbating operational challenges.
The OIG’s advisory calls for an evaluation of these concerns to determine whether further action is necessary to address these issues.
For more details, you can read the full OIG report here.
This report underscores the urgent need for the VA to address these EHR-related problems to ensure better healthcare for veterans.
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