U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Extends Oracle EHR Modernization Contract
Oracle and the VA reaffirm their commitment to modernize the EHR system for veterans.
Oracle and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have renewed their collaboration to advance the electronic healthcare record (EHR) system, aimed at providing a secure and interoperable medical record for veterans, according to Oracle.
Commitment to Veterans' Healthcare
The contract extension underscores the progress achieved by Oracle and the VA over the past two years in enhancing the EHR system. The modernization efforts are designed to improve the lives of both VA practitioners and the veterans they serve. Seema Verma, executive vice president and general manager of Oracle Health and Life Sciences, expressed honor in continuing support for the mission to deliver superior healthcare services to veterans.
“VA’s intent to resume deployments in the next fiscal year is a significant milestone that reflects the hard work our collective teams have done to improve the system today, as well as confidence in our shared ability to continually evolve the EHR over time to meet the needs of both practitioners and patients,” Verma stated.
Successful Implementation and Future Plans
The joint Department of Defense (DOD) and VA EHR system, known as MHS GENESIS, has successfully gone live at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC). This marks the culmination of a five-year project to deliver the federal EHR system to the DOD. Currently, MHS GENESIS is operational at 3,890 garrison facilities, serving over 9.5 million beneficiaries across the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. This system offers service members a single, longitudinal health record from enlistment through lifelong care at VA facilities.
The federal EHR system will enable VA to standardize workflows, training, and technology management across its facilities using a single enterprise system. It supports better coordination with federal and commercial partners, including the DOD, the Coast Guard, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The system's flexibility allows for the adoption of new solutions that enhance usability and safety over time.
Verma added, “Our most recent roll-out at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, IL exceeded expectations and demonstrated what’s possible as we move ahead with other VA facilities. Our veterans, and the people who care for them, deserve a world-class EHR system and we are delivering it.”
This extension follows a letter from Secretary McDonough to the Congressional Appropriations Committees dated May 31, 2024, indicating the VA’s plans to continue EHR deployments in the upcoming fiscal year.
Image source: Shutterstock
