Electronic Health Records and Their Benefits

What is an EHR?

An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. It contains health information collected and maintained by healthcare providers over time. It’s a comprehensive, longitudinal record of a patient’s health history, including diagnoses, lab results, medications, physician notes, and more, accessible to authorized healthcare professionals.

EHRs are stored electronically, allowing for easy access, sharing, and analysis of patient information.

While often used interchangeably, EHRs are broader than electronic medical records (EMRs). EMRs are usually limited to a single provider or practice, while EHRs cover patient records across different care settings and providers.

Real-Time, Patient-Centered Records

They make information available instantly, “whenever and wherever it is needed.” And, they bring together in one place everything about a patient’s health.

EHRs can:

• Contain information about a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and lab and test results
• Offer access to evidence-based tools that providers can use in making decisions about a patient’s care
• Automate and streamline providers’ workflow
• Increase the organization and accuracy of patient information
• Support key market changes in payer requirements and consumer expectations

One of the key features of an EHR is that it can be created, managed, and consulted by authorized providers and staff across more than one healthcare organization.

A single EHR can bring together information from current and past doctors, emergency facilities, school and workplace clinics, pharmacies, laboratories, and medical imaging facilities.

Typical Elements of an EHR

• Demographic data
• Medical history and diagnoses, including past illnesses, surgeries, and medications
• Progress notes, test results, and vital signs
• Treatment plans, immunizations, allergies, and prescriptions
• Radiology images
• Insurance and billing information

Better Decisions and More Coordinated Care

EHRs offer many benefits, including:

• Improved patient care through better access to information
• Increased patient (and caregiver) participation in care
• Reduced medical errors
• Enhanced coordination among healthcare professionals
• Improved quality and research initiatives
• Reduced administrative provider burden and increased efficiency
• Streamlined provider workflows for practice efficiencies and cost savings
• Increased access to data needed for evidence-based tools that providers can use to make decisions about patient care

More complete patient information available from EHRs enables providers to make well-informed care decisions quickly, helping to improve care and reduce safety risks.

Interoperability is Key for EHRs

Achieving a complete, longitudinal record of a patient’s care typically involves combining records from many providers at different care organizations over time. Compiling these records into an EHR requires access to electronic data from all of the providers and pharmacies providing care. This is accomplished through secure, electronic health data sharing. The ability of different EHR systems to communicate and share data is crucial for seamless information exchange and coordinated care.