Electronic Medical Records vs. Electronic Health Records

In today’s rapidly growing healthcare information technology environment, many healthcare organizations wonder what the real difference is between electronic medical records and electronic health records. As a leader in this dynamic environment, Fox Meadows Software can specify the key differences in electronic medical records and electronic health records, and reduce confusion for you and your staff.

According to the Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the National Alliance for Health Information Technology (NAHIT), the following are industry-wide definitions of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Electronic Health Record (EHR):

Electronic Medical Record: more commonly known as the EMR, it is the electronic record of health-related information on an individual patient that is used by healthcare practitioners to document, monitor, and manage health care delivery within a single healthcare organization. The electronic record is typically composed of the clinical data repository, clinical decision support, controlled medical vocabulary, order entry, computerized provider order entry, pharmacy, and clinical documentation applications. Basically, electronic medical records (or EMRs), are the electronic replacement of a paper chart, and is the legal record of what happened to the patient during their healthcare encounter at the organization and is owned by that specific healthcare organization.

Electronic Health Record: more commonly referred to as the EHR, it is the aggregate electronic record of health-related information on an individual that is created and gathered cumulatively across multiple healthcare organizations within a community, region, or state. It is owned by the patient, includes patient input, but is managed and consulted by healthcare providers. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is dependent upon interoperability among healthcare organizations and can only be established if the electronic medical records of the carious healthcare organizations have evolved to a level that can create and support a robust exchange of information between various stakeholders. The EHR connects the carious clinical systems and providers related to a patient.

As a leading EMR vendor / EHR vendor Fox Meadows offers comprehensive practice management software that can enhance any physician practice business operations and will also meet your electronic medical record system needs. We will also guarantee the products’ current and future needs for interoperability to further create the evolution of each individual patient’s electronic health record. Contact us today for any questions or concerns regarding EHR systems / EMR systems information or to schedule a demo of our current practice solution, SuiteMed!