Electronic Record Errors at Veterans Health Centers

A January 2009 investigative report revealed that in 2008, many patients receiving medical care at the nation’s Veterans Health Centers were exposed to possible medical errors because of “glitches” in the VA’s electronic medical record keeping systems. While no serious injuries were reported, nearly one-third of the nation’s 153 medical centers reported problems.

The problems, which occurred randomly for almost six months, would cause incorrect information to be generated. The random computer glitches caused medical records to be crossed, resulting in patients being at risk to be given the wrong medicine, to receive incorrect dosages of medicines and many delays in patients receiving appropriate medical care.

A statement released by the Veterans Administration indicated they had found nine cases where patients in Wisconsin, North Carolina and Indiana were given incorrect doses of medications. Six of the patients received drips of the blood thinner Heparin for up to 11 hours longer than necessary. The other three patients had received doses of sodium chloride or dextrose mixtures for up to 15 hours over the time the doctor had ordered the drugs to be given.

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