What is the difference between an electronic health record and an electronic medical record?
| Aspect | Electronic Health Record (EHR) | Electronic Medical Record (EMR) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Comprehensive digital records of a patient's health information that include medical history, diagnoses, treatments, medications, allergies, lab results, and more. | Digital versions of paper charts used by healthcare providers within a single healthcare organization, containing patient medical information specific to that organization. |
| Scope | Encompasses a patient's entire health history, including records from multiple healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and specialists, offering a longitudinal view of the patient's health. | Contains medical data created and maintained within a single healthcare facility, serving the needs of the organization and its providers for patient care. |
| Data Sharing | Supports data sharing and interoperability among different healthcare systems and organizations, allowing for seamless exchange of patient information across providers. | Primarily designed for internal use within a specific healthcare facility or organization and may have limitations in sharing data with external providers. |
| Accessibility | Provides authorized healthcare professionals with secure access to patient records, regardless of their location, facilitating coordinated care across different settings. | Typically limits access to healthcare providers within the same facility, making it less suitable for coordinating care outside the organization. |
| Patient Engagement | Allows patients to access and interact with their own health records, view lab results, request appointments, and communicate with healthcare providers through patient portals. | May offer limited patient access to records and engagement tools, depending on the specific EMR system and healthcare organization policies. |
| Integration with Health IT | Integrates with other health information technologies, such as telehealth systems, prescription drug monitoring programs, and population health management tools, for comprehensive patient care. | Primarily focuses on the core functions of clinical documentation and may have fewer integrations with external health IT systems. |
| Data Aggregation and Analytics | Supports data aggregation from various sources, enabling population health analytics, research, and quality improvement initiatives. | Typically focuses on collecting and managing data within the organization for immediate patient care and may have limited data analytics capabilities. |
| Interoperability Standards | Adheres to national interoperability standards and can exchange health data using standard protocols, ensuring compatibility with other EHR systems. | May not prioritize adherence to national interoperability standards to the same extent as EHRs and may rely on proprietary formats. |
| Portability | Offers greater portability of patient records, allowing patients to switch healthcare providers or institutions while maintaining continuity of care and access to their health history. | Patient records may be less portable, making it more challenging for patients to transfer their medical information if they change healthcare providers or institutions. |
| Use in Multiple Healthcare Settings | Serves healthcare providers in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and specialty care centers, facilitating care coordination. | Primarily tailored to the specific needs of healthcare providers within a single organization, such as a hospital or clinic. |
| Regulatory Compliance | Complies with federal regulations and standards, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to ensure patient privacy and data security. | Also adheres to regulatory requirements but may have a narrower scope of compliance, focusing on the needs of the organization |