Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR) came into existence due to the challenges posed by paper-based medical documentation systems. Though the terms EHR and EMR are used interchangeably, there are significant differences between them.
What is EMR?
Electronic Medical Records are the electronic or digitized form of the paper records of the medical and treatment history of the patients in one healthcare provider’s office. These charts are used by the clinician as the primary basis of diagnosis and treatment of the patients. EMR evolved because of the problems associated with managing, organizing and accessing paper-based medical charts. EMR resolves such issues and helps the clinician in:
• Tracking patient data over a specific time frame
• Tracking and recording things such as vaccinations and blood pressure readings
• Determining when exactly a patient requires a checkup or preventative screening
• Monitoring and enhancing the quality of care within a specific practice or a clinic
The point to note is that the EMR does not leave the healthcare facility unless it is in printed format.
What is EHR?
Electronic Health Records offer all that Electronic Medical Records, but go further. EHRs can be accessed by all the other health care providers, such as laboratories and specialists that are involved in patient care. EHRs can share information and contain information from all the healthcare providers involved in the patient’s care. They are not confined to access by just one medical practice or clinician’s office as with EMR. EHR information is created by and moves across clinicians across the country. Even the patients themselves can access their EHR and take a look at their treatment history at any stage. The benefits that EHR offers are
• A new healthcare provider could easily be informed about a specific allergy that a patient has, thereby preventing physicians from taking inappropriate decisions
• The patients can review their health history and make necessary changes to their lifestyle
• As the tests performed if any are entered at once, there is no possibility for the physician to perform a duplicate test
• If a patient needs to consult another provider, EHR allows seamless transition as all the details from the patient’s hospital stay would be available and facilitate discharge instructions and follow-up care
Transition to EMR/EHR
Meaningful use of Electronic Health Records is designed to enhance patient engagement and care. With the 2014 EHR reporting period for meaningful use approaching, physicians and hospitals have the responsibility to purchase EHRs and transition to enable the transitioning of the health care system to paperless records. Those not showing meaningful use by October 2014 will be assessed for Medicare payment penalties beginning in 2015. However, the American College of Cardiology points out that there are gaps in the national health information technology network that must be bridged before physicians and facilities can meet EHR implementation objectives.
What is EMR?
Electronic Medical Records are the electronic or digitized form of the paper records of the medical and treatment history of the patients in one healthcare provider’s office. These charts are used by the clinician as the primary basis of diagnosis and treatment of the patients. EMR evolved because of the problems associated with managing, organizing and accessing paper-based medical charts. EMR resolves such issues and helps the clinician in:
• Tracking patient data over a specific time frame
• Tracking and recording things such as vaccinations and blood pressure readings
• Determining when exactly a patient requires a checkup or preventative screening
• Monitoring and enhancing the quality of care within a specific practice or a clinic
The point to note is that the EMR does not leave the healthcare facility unless it is in printed format.
What is EHR?
Electronic Health Records offer all that Electronic Medical Records, but go further. EHRs can be accessed by all the other health care providers, such as laboratories and specialists that are involved in patient care. EHRs can share information and contain information from all the healthcare providers involved in the patient’s care. They are not confined to access by just one medical practice or clinician’s office as with EMR. EHR information is created by and moves across clinicians across the country. Even the patients themselves can access their EHR and take a look at their treatment history at any stage. The benefits that EHR offers are
• A new healthcare provider could easily be informed about a specific allergy that a patient has, thereby preventing physicians from taking inappropriate decisions
• The patients can review their health history and make necessary changes to their lifestyle
• As the tests performed if any are entered at once, there is no possibility for the physician to perform a duplicate test
• If a patient needs to consult another provider, EHR allows seamless transition as all the details from the patient’s hospital stay would be available and facilitate discharge instructions and follow-up care
Transition to EMR/EHR
Meaningful use of Electronic Health Records is designed to enhance patient engagement and care. With the 2014 EHR reporting period for meaningful use approaching, physicians and hospitals have the responsibility to purchase EHRs and transition to enable the transitioning of the health care system to paperless records. Those not showing meaningful use by October 2014 will be assessed for Medicare payment penalties beginning in 2015. However, the American College of Cardiology points out that there are gaps in the national health information technology network that must be bridged before physicians and facilities can meet EHR implementation objectives.
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