Many times people use the terms “electronic medical record” and “electronic health record” (or “EMR” and “EHR”) interchangeably. However, the difference between the two terms is actually quite significant.
Differences between Electronic Medical Records and Electronic Health Records
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are computerized versions of paper charts that comprise all of a patient’s medical history, notes and information collected by and for the clinicians in an office, clinic, or hospital. So, they contain the standard medical and clinical information gathered in only that one provider’s office.
An EMR is mostly used by the healthcare providers for diagnosis and treatment. EMRs may be more valuable than paper records, because they enable healthcare providers to track information over time, identify patients for preventive visits and screenings, monitor patients, and improve quality of healthcare.
EHRs are designed to reach out beyond the health organization that originally collects and compiles the information. They are designed to be accessed by all people involved in the patients care.
Electronic health records (EHRs) go beyond the data collected in one provider’s office and include a more comprehensive patient history. They are inclusive of a broader view of a patient’s care. EHRs contain and share data from all providers involved in a patient’s care.
EHR data can be created, managed, and consulted by authorized healthcare providers and staff from more than one health care organization. So, all authorized clinicians involved in a patient’s care can access the information to provide care to that patient whenever and wherever needed.
Unlike EMRs, EHRs also allow a patient’s health record to move with them to other healthcare providers, specialists, hospitals, nursing homes, and even to other states.
An EMR may be more beneficial than paper records:
*Track data over time
*Identify patients who are due for preventive care
*Monitor patients parameters, such as vaccinations and blood pressure readings
*Improve overall quality of care in a practice
An EMR may be less beneficial than paper records:
*The information stored in EMRs is not easily shared with providers outside of a practice.
*A patient’s record might even have to be printed out and delivered by mail to specialists and other members of the care team.
EHRs, and the ability to exchange health information electronically, can help you provide higher quality and safer care for patients while creating tangible enhancements for healthcare organizations.
EHRs help providers better manage care for patients and provide better health care by:
A) provides accurate, up-to-date, and complete data about patients at the point of care
B) enables quick access to patient records for more coordinated, efficient care
C) securely shares electronic data with patients, and other clinicians
D) helps providers more effectively diagnose patients, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care
E) improves patient and provider interaction and communication, as well as health care convenience
F) enables safer, more reliable medication prescribing
G) helps promote legible, complete documentation and accurate, streamlined coding and billing
H) enhances the privacy and security of patient data
I) helps providers improve productivity
J) enables providers to improve efficiency, and meet their business goals
K) reduces costs by decreasing paperwork, improving safety, reducing duplicate testing, and improving health
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