The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has renewed its partnership with Oracle Health for the second option period of its EHR modernization (EHRM) contract. This collaboration will continue to work on the federal EHR project as part of the EHRM reset initiated last year.
The EHR platform, initially launched at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in October 2020, has experienced ongoing system performance issues. These concerns have been linked to more than 150 cases of harm and the deaths of four veterans. Despite these challenges, the VA and Oracle Health are committed to improving the EHR system for Veterans, with a focus on supporting the six VA healthcare facilities currently using the platform.
The 11-month option period award aligns with VA’s goal of enhancing the federal EHR system and supporting facilities during the EHRM reset. Tanya Bradsher, VA deputy secretary, emphasized the agency’s dedication to prioritizing the needs of Veterans, healthcare providers, and taxpayers while effectively managing resources.
The second option period of the contract will concentrate on enhancing EHR capabilities and achieving greater stability in system hosting, deployment, and maintenance. These efforts are crucial for VA’s reset initiative, aiming to resume EHR deployments by fiscal year 2025.
Negotiations will be geared towards addressing system challenges and moving forward with productive EHR deployments. This collaboration with Oracle Health underscores VA’s commitment to accountability and progress in advancing healthcare technology for Veterans. Hannah Nelson has been reporting on health information technology and data interoperability since 2020.
