OIG Report Uncovers Flaws in Management of Veteran Health Records
Healthcare IT News
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
A recent report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has raised concerns about the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) management of patient medical records, particularly regarding community care appointments. The investigation disclosed that only 82% of nearly 3 million community care consults were linked to complete medical records, indicating significant gaps in data management. This deficiency can compromise care coordination, potentially leading to duplicated services, delayed care, and missed appointments for veterans. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved software controls and adherence to data retrieval protocols to ensure comprehensive and timely patient care within the VHA system.
