The Veterans Health Administration's rollout of its Oracle-Cerner EHR system will not continue until patient safety concerns are addressed, according to Sept. 26 reporting in FedScoop.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough confirmed the news Sept. 26, responding to questions at an event hosted by the Defense Writers Group. Mr. McDonough confirmed that the VA is working through an implementation checklist with each hospital setting up the new EHR system.
The rollout was paused in June after a federal watchdog alleged that a flaw in Cerner's system caused harm to 148 veterans at Spokane, Wash.-based Mann-Grandstaff Medical Center.
"I think we've been clear that we have to be confident that these risks to patient safety are addressed before we go live. So we're not just focused on the passage of time between now and next year; we're focused on improving the system," Mr. McDonough said.
Becker's has reached out to Cerner and will update this report if more information becomes available.