Crapo Leads Idaho Delegation in Pressing VA on Electronic Health Record Rollout in Boise

 Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) led an Idaho Congressional Delegation letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary McDonough expressing concerns with the VA’s prospective Electronic Health Record (EHR) system to be implemented at VA Medical Centers (VAMCs).  The letter, signed by Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, details two Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports detailing a number of deficiencies in the EHR rollout at the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC in Spokane, Washington, which has already negatively impacted several Idaho veterans.  The EHR system is expected to be launched at the Boise VAMC in June.

“Although the intended goal of the EHR implementation is to provide a streamlined, seamless process for veterans receiving care, the rollout in the Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center resulted in confusion, frustration and alarming situations for many veterans and their medical providers,” the letter reads in part. 

“[D]eficiencies included, but were not limited to, providers not being alerted when patients were flagged as high risk for suicide, limited access to suicide prevention and assessment tools, EHR-caused delays in scheduling primary care appointments and lab orders ‘disappearing’ before reaching the facility laboratory.  At the time of the OIG report’s release, one-third of these issues remain unresolved,” the letter continues.  

The letter asks Secretary McDonough a series of questions with regard to the VA considering a delay in the Boise VAMC EHR rollout until issues with the Mann-Grandstaff and Walla Walla VAMC are resolved, as well as questions to ensure veteran care is not further impacted by the system rollout. 

Read the full letter HERE.

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