Streamlining Transitions with VoiceOver PRO
The VA’s transition to Oracle Cerner Millennium marks a significant shift for pathology labs nationwide. While this upgrade promises improved...
2 min read
Voicebrook Thursday January 30, 2025
Pathology laboratories within the VA healthcare system face unique challenges: complex workflows, outdated EHR technology, and the need for precise compliance with ever-evolving standards. With the VA’s long-awaited transition to Oracle Cerner Millennium finally on the horizon, many VA pathology labs are turning to VoiceOver PRO as a critical tool to bridge the gap, improve workflows, and ensure a seamless migration.
Let's take a look at how VoiceOver PRO is paving the way for the VA.
VA laboratories currently rely on legacy systems like VistA to create their pathology reports, which present significant workflow inefficiencies and require cumbersome workarounds. The long-planned transition to a new AP/LIS – Oracle Cerner Millennium – promises to modernize these systems, but the change also brings uncertainty. Laboratories need a solution that not only addresses current concerns, but also ensures continuity and adaptability when the new system is implemented.
Adding to the challenge is the timeline for the Oracle Cerner rollout. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced in December 2024 that it plans to restart deployment of the EHR in 2026, roughly four years after its adoption was paused amid concerns for patient safety and practicality. In the meantime, VA pathology labs are left in limbo -- continuing to utilize a clunky VistA system to complete their reports and waiting to see if a 2026 Oracle Cerner rollout does, in fact, occur.
“The shift to Cerner will be a significant learning curve for everyone,” one VA pathologist noted during a discussion with Voicebrook. “We need a solution that can work seamlessly with both VistA now and Cerner in the future. VoiceOver PRO provides that assurance.”
For teams navigating the complexities of this transition, VoiceOver PRO provides the stability and flexibility needed for long-term success.
VoiceOver PRO has proven to be an invaluable asset for VA laboratories preparing for the future. Designed with flexibility in mind, the platform integrates seamlessly with existing systems like VistA while offering compatibility with Oracle Cerner Millennium. This dual capability ensures that laboratories can modernize their workflows without disruption, both now and when the transition to the new AP system occurs.
“We didn’t want to wait for the shift to Oracle to implement improvements,” said one laboratory leader. “VoiceOver PRO allows us to modernize our processes today while ensuring we’re ready for the changes the new EHR will bring.”
By implementing VoiceOver PRO, VA laboratories not only address current inefficiencies but also position themselves for a smoother transition to Oracle Cerner Millennium. PRO's structured reporting and decision support features standardize workflows, reduce errors, and ensure compliance with evolving standards—all of which will remain critical in the new system.
“Knowing that VoiceOver PRO is tailored to work with our new system gives us confidence,” one pathologist shared. “When the transition happens, we’ll already have a system in place that ensures consistency and reliability.”
Meanwhile, they're already reaping the benefits of VoiceOver PRO's efficiency improvements.
"I've been tracking my time savings per day using PRO compared to using Dragon before, and PRO gives me at least 45 minutes of time saved each day," said a VA pathologist. "It's really efficient. And one of my colleagues said she saves over an hour a day with PRO, compared to what she was doing before."
In addition to its role in the Oracle Cerner transition, VoiceOver PRO positions laboratories to embrace future advancements in pathology, such as AI, digital pathology and telepathology. The platform’s adaptability and support for emerging technologies ensure that VA laboratories can continue to innovate and improve patient care.
The future of anatomic pathology is changing rapidly. With VoiceOver PRO, VA labs have a framework in place that will support them through these changes, from VistA to Oracle Cerner to digital pathology and beyond. VoiceOver PRO offers a proven solution to bridge the gap. By addressing today’s challenges and ensuring compatibility with future systems, VoiceOver PRO empowers VA laboratories to modernize their workflows, improve compliance, and drive efficiency.
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