EHR vs EMR: What’s the difference?
EHR and EMR are commonly used acronyms that are sometimes incorrectly used interchangeably. EHR stands for electronic health records and EMR stands for electronic medical records.
The EMR is the actual record, while the EHR is made up of so much more. Technically, the EMR came before the EHR, as the first electronic records were truly medical records, designed to be used within a medical practice. As healthcare systems and technology evolved, EHR has become a much more commonly used term.
What is an EMR?
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are the digital form of the paper charts that were used in the past. An electronic medical record contains the past medical history, medications, visit summaries, demographic and insurance information, etc.
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The EMR is contained within a medical practice setting and works well for operations within the practice. However, electronic medical records cannot travel outside the practice easily. Typically, the record would need to be printed out to leave the office. When the information needs to be shared outside the practice, it is almost as if you are using paper charts.
What is an EHR?
Electronic Health Records (EHR) do much more than electronic medical records. The EHR provides agile information that can be shared across practices and specialties, connecting information from all facets of patient care. EHRs are designed to be accessible by all professionals involved in a patient’s care, from physicians to nurses to laboratories and even the patients themselves.
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The sharing of information is done securely, ensuring patient privacy and confidentiality. The secure sharing of a patient’s information allows for enhanced communication and healthcare coordination, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to healthcare.
What is the difference between EMR and EHR?
One of the most commonly asked questions is, "What is the difference between EMR and EHR?" To expand on the introduction, an EMR is a digital version of the patient’s medical chart within a single practice, whereas an EHR includes all medical records from multiple sources, creating a more comprehensive and accessible view of a patient’s health. The EHR enables the secure exchange of information, making it a powerful tool for coordinated care, particularly for patients receiving care from multiple providers.
Do hospitals use EMR or EHR?
Hospitals typically use EHRs rather than EMRs. This is because EHR systems allow for the exchange of information across various departments and care settings, making them more suitable for the complex and integrated nature of hospital care. However, smaller clinics or single-practice offices might still use EMRs for more localized patient management.
For example, if a physician orders a complete blood count for his patient, the order is sent electronically to the laboratory. Then, the laboratory completes the lab workup and can electronically input and share this information with the physician in real time. The physician can access this information and make an appropriate medical decision quickly.
EHR vs EMR: Why EHR?
The benefits of using an EHR system, and not simply an EMR, lie in the operations and efficiency of coordination of care and service delivery. The EHR safely stores health information and data, analyzes outcomes, allows for electronic prescribing and electronic communications, provides patient support, and increases the quality of administrative operations.
One of the main differences between EHR and EMR is that EHR systems also give patients a greater role in their own healthcare management. The patient can access their medical information, contact their healthcare provider and track their health history. Hopefully, this will lead to a more health-conscious population living healthier lifestyles.
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