The VA is delaying the release of health records again — this time until summer 2023

Veterans Affairs The authorities are again delaying their further work. A new electronic health record system Amid ongoing issues with the new software, we will be pushing back any new site releases until June 2023 at this time.

In a message to the VA task force on Thursday, Secretary of Health Dr. Sherif Ilnahal He said the delay was needed “to address challenges with the system and ensure it is working well for veterans and VA health care workers.”

Department officials announced in June Stop all new deployments Oracle-Cerner’s Millennium Electronic Health Record System through early 2023 based on patient safety issues that occurred at the first five sites using the software.

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“In the coming months, we will implement a ‘review and address’ period to correct issues with the new system — especially those that have implications for patient safety — before resuming deployment at other VA medical centers,” Elnahal wrote in the message. Employees.

“Until then, VA will continue to focus on the five facilities where the new system is deployed to ensure that every patient receives the world-class health care they deserve.”

VA officials will send letters in the coming weeks to “patients who may be impacted by these systemic challenges” to ensure they can make appointments, receive medications and meet other medical needs.

A 10-year, $16 billion health records modernization project was launched in 2015. It started in 2017 and is said to be a way to provide better care to soldiers and veterans throughout their lives.

But the effort has been beset by problems since its initial implementation. Deployment was often postponed due to staff training and patient safety issues.

In September, Elnahal told the House Veterans Affairs Committee that lawmakers’ problems with the new system encouraged some employees to quit. VA Secretary Dennis McDonough said he was disappointed with the progress so far and the software’s many recent outages.

But VA leaders still say they’re confident the Oracle-Cerner plan is the best option for modernizing the department’s aging health records system.

“VA remains committed to building one [health record] A solution that integrates with the Department of Defense health record system to create a lifetime of seamless care for service members and veterans,” Elnahal wrote. If we take these important steps forward, that ultimate goal is within reach.

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In September, Oracle Executive Vice President Mike Sicilia said that officials are making improvements to the system and are working closely on the new deployment schedule to get the project back on track.

He said he still believes the project’s 2028 completion date is realistic, but that’s assuming an early 2023 restart.

VA officials were more guarded about their timelines, saying they are focused on getting training and application processes right.

In the meantime, legislators have expressed concern about the project’s high cost and low investment income. Several House committee members told VA officials last month that they must show the results soon or risk canceling the entire program.