EHR and EMR are two terms commonly used in the medical field. Electronic records were mandated and received a lot of media coverage. Both mainstream and medical publications have been filled with stories about electronic medical records (EMR) and electronic health records (EHR). Yes, there is a difference between electronic medical records and electronic health records. But that’s just one word. These terms are frequently used interchangeably, which can cause confusion. There are some differences between EHRs and EMRs. Persist reading to discover the differences between EMRs & EHRs, and how these might impact practices.

What’s an EHR?

EHR, a medical software, is a digital record that stores health information. It includes all the information that you would find in a paper chart and more. An EHR can include your past medical history, vital sign, progress notes, and diagnoses. It may also contain lab data and imaging reports. Other relevant information can be included, including insurance information, demographic information, and data imported from personal wellbeing devices.

An EHR’s power lies in its data but also in how it is shared. Health information can be instantly accessed by authorized providers across health organizations and practices. This allows for efficient coordination of care. EHRs can be shared with other healthcare providers and organizations, including labs, specialists and imaging facilities, pharmacies and emergency rooms, as well as school and workplace clinics.

This allows health organizations to expand their capabilities and offer better services to patients.

What is EMR?

EMR (or electronic medical record) refers to all information you would find in a paper chart, such as medical history and diagnoses, medications, immunization dates, allergies, and more. EMRs are useful within a practice, but they can’t be easily transferred outside of it. Electronic medical record software can be printed and sent to another provider for a patient’s medical records.

What’s the difference between EHR & EMR?

EMRs and EHRs are easy to distinguish if you consider the terms “medical” and “health.” EMRs provide a limited view of a patient’s medical history, while EHRs offer a comprehensive report on the patient’s overall health.

There are many other ways EMRs & EHRs can differ from each other

  1. Providers use an EMR primarily for diagnosis and treatment.
  2. EMRs cannot be shared with anyone outside of the practice.
  3. EHRs can share patient information with authorized staff and providers from more than one organization.
  4. EHRs enable patients’ medical information to be moved to specialists, labs and imaging facilities, emergency rooms, and pharmacies as well as across state boundaries.

EHRs and EMRs offer patients and healthcare professionals benefits

  1. Medical errors can be reduced, and healthcare is better by providing accurate and up-to-date information.
  2. Patient charts are clearer and more complete. No more trying to decipher illegible scribbles.
  3. Information sharing is a way to reduce duplicate testing and save time, money, and trouble for patients and providers.
  4. Better information access makes prescribing medication more secure and reliable.
  5. Promoting patient involvement can encourage healthier lifestyles and more frequent use of preventative care.
  6. Complete information means more accurate diagnoses.

Conclusion

Electronic records will make healthcare more efficient and, therefore, less expensive. This makes the switch to electronic records a smart investment in our healthcare system. There is plenty to be stated for that. EMRs and EHRs can both increase the efficiency of healthcare delivery. However, there are important differences. EMRs are essentially digital patient records that can be managed by a single practice. EMRs are restricted in their ability to share patient records with other healthcare providers. This can lead to patients not having the most current clinical information. EHRs have the same patient record capabilities as EMRs, but they also allow for the sharing of that information with all healthcare organizations where a patient visits.