Experts from medical technology companies testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, highlighting the VA’s struggle to adopt life-changing medical technology due to budget constraints and staffing shortages. Despite recent innovations that are yielding promising outcomes and extending lives, VA hospitals lag behind commercial hospitals in access to advanced medical devices.
Officials criticized the absence of VA representatives at the hearing, emphasizing the need for their input to address challenges in adopting innovative medical devices. One area of concern is the slow adoption of pulsed field ablation technology for treating atrial fibrillation and preventing strokes, with only 10% of VA hospitals having access to the technology compared to over 60% of commercial hospitals.
Medical technology leaders recommended that the VA create a more predictable budget and acquisition process to ensure timely adoption of life-saving advancements. They also suggested the implementation of a fast-track solution for adopting high-impact medical technologies. Additionally, collaborating with the Defense Department on adopting medical technologies was proposed.
Companies like Philips have developed technologies like Rapid Analysis of Threat Exposure (RATE) that use artificial intelligence to detect early signs of infectious disease. The technology could have applications in VA hospitals, providing early alerts to contain the spread of diseases. Implementing a centralized network to connect all VA radiology departments was also suggested to ensure a more consistent standard of care across facilities.
Ultimately, the goal is to modernize the VA’s infrastructure and improve outcomes for veterans by enhancing access to cutting-edge medical technology.
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