Modernization

Two-Thirds of Staff at VA Medical Center Considering Quitting After One Year With New EHR

A survey of staff at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center shows plummeting morale tied directly to the Cerner Millennium electronic health record platform.

Emerging Tech

Government Considers VR for Training and Therapy

A slate of contracting calls demonstrate ways agencies are putting the emerging technology to use.

Digital Government

VA Officials and Lawmakers Have (Different) Issues With Push to Collect More Veteran Data

Republicans worried collection of religious, sexual and gender information would violate veterans’ privacy; agency officials said they already collect that data. 

Emerging Tech

Health Technology in Action

In this special report, Nextgov examines how the COVID-19 pandemic is shaping technology tools and policies in health care.

Digital Government

Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Buddies Tried to Get the VA to Sell Access to Veterans’ Medical Records

While previous reporting showed the trio had a hand in budgeting and contracting, their interest in turning patient data into a revenue stream was not previously known.

Digital Government

How the Veterans Affairs Department Went Digital During the Pandemic

Senior officials shared details and numbers on the department’s COVID-19-specific deployments.

Exclusive Digital Government

VA Can’t Locate $700K Worth of Satellite Phones

For decades, Veterans Affairs employees have had trouble finding emergency communications devices when they’re needed most.

Digital Government

VA Records Uptick in Staff Vaccinations Following Expanded Order

The agency uses a records system to document compliance with coronavirus requirements.

Emerging Tech

VA’s Extended Reality Network Expanding Across Agency  

There are more than 75 Veterans Health Administration sites using extended reality in some fashion.

Ideas

Supportive Video Game Communities Can Help Veterans Transition to Civilian Life

For an increasing number of veterans retiring from the service, their shared interest in video games can become the basis for that community.

Modernization

Lawmakers Tell National Archives to Use Tech Modernization Funding to Fix Veterans’ Backlog

Congressional oversight chiefs want the National Archives to apply for funding through the Technology Modernization Fund.

Modernization

VA Halts Health Records Deployments Through 2021

The decision follows a 12-week strategic review ordered by VA Secretary Denis McDonough.

Cybersecurity

VA Needs a Security Check For Its Social Security Number Reduction Tool

The app was recently migrated into a VA-managed cloud environment and needs a new authority to operate and some upgrades.

Modernization

VA Secretary Outlines Structural Changes to EHR Rollout

The secretary updated Congress on three pivotal changes coming to the program, including shifting the schedule to focus on sites that are ready to handle the deployment.

Modernization

More Underestimated Infrastructure Costs Could Raise VA EHR Price Tag $2.5B

The latest inspector general report shows more underreported infrastructure costs for the electronic health record program, prompting lawmakers to call a hearing for later this month. 

Cybersecurity

VA’s Cybersecurity Still Missing Critical Zero-Trust Element, Watchdog Says

An official from the Government Accountability Office said she is encouraged by the formation of an investment review board at the department and intends to monitor it closely.

Digital Government

VA Secretary: Changes Coming to Electronic Health Records Program

Secretary Denis McDonough just completed a months-long strategic review of the multibillion-dollar EHR modernization program.

Modernization

VA Is Asking Congress for Fewer IT Dollars in 2022 But Plans to Spend More Than in 2021

The Transformational Fund has been marinating for five years and is ready to supplement the agency’s IT spending.