Electronic Medical and Health Records (2024)

Overview

There are three types of medical records commonly used by patients and doctors:

  • Personal health record (PHR)
  • Electronic medical record (EMR)
  • Electronic health record (EHR)

PHR, or personal health record

Technically, any medical record you keep for yourself is a personal health record (PHR). You can keep records:

  • On paper.
  • On a device (a computer or smartphone, for example).
  • On the Internet.

But you're most likely to hear the term PHR for records that you keep on the Internet. Your health plan's website or a local hospital's website may have programs you can use for free to do this. And your information is protected so that only people with permission can see it.

The advantage of using a website provided by your health plan is that you can type in information. For example, you can type in results of blood pressure tests you do at home. And when you see your doctor for a checkup or for treatment, the doctor can see those home test results with just a few taps on the keyboard.

Quick access to information like that can help your doctor give you the best care possible.

EMR, or electronic medical record

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are electronic files that a doctor or other provider uses instead of paper files stored on shelves. The doctor types the information into a computer. Those computer files stay in your doctor's computer system.

Keeping records on a computer is a lot easier than keeping paper records. And these systems also handle scheduling and billing. Some doctors are still using paper because it's a lot of work to convert all those paper files into electronic records.

EMRs usually stay in the office computer system. They can't usually be sent to or shared with other providers outside of that system, such as a lab or hospital.

EHR, or electronic health record

Electronic health records (EHRs) are built to be shared with other health care providers who all use the same system. So with an EHR system, your family doctor can instantly send medical records to your heart specialist, your hospital, the lab, your drugstore, and your computer at home.

The goal of EHRs is to improve the coordination of your care by giving providers accurate, up-to-date information. This includes information from you, the patient.

Electronic Medical and Health Records (2024)

FAQs

What is medical electronic health record? ›

(eh-lek-TRAH-nik MEH-dih-kul REH-kurd) An electronic (digital) collection of medical information about a person that is stored on a computer. An electronic medical record includes information about a patient's health history, such as diagnoses, medicines, tests, allergies, immunizations, and treatment plans.

What is difference between EHR and EMR? ›

An EMR captures information from a single care provider, which is only available to that one care provider. However, EHRs are designed to be used by multiple care providers and healthcare organizations.

What is the most popular EHR system? ›

So, let's get started!
  • EPIC: Epic was founded in 1979 and is one of the first providers of electronic health records. ...
  • Cerner: Cerner was first introduced 40 years ago in Kansas, Missouri, by three accountants as a provider of electronic medical records. ...
  • NextGen: ...
  • eClinicalWorks: ...
  • Allscripts EHR:
Nov 17, 2023

What is the difference between a personal health record and an electronic medical record? ›

Whereas an electronic health record (EHR) is a computer record that originates with and is controlled by doctors, a personal health record (PHR) can be generated by physicians, patients, hospitals, pharmacies, and other sources but is controlled by the patient.

What are the disadvantages of electronic medical records? ›

4 Disadvantages Of Using Electronic Medical Records
  • 1) Technical Glitches. Reliance on electronic medical records can cripple a medical facility in case of a technical problem. ...
  • 2) Lack of Interoperability. ...
  • 3) Vulnerable To Cyber-Attacks. ...
  • 4) Risk of Violating Privacy Laws. ...
  • Next Steps.

Is EHR worth it? ›

Benefits of an EHR

At the individual level, using EHRs for each patient at your healthcare practice can: Reduce and prevent medical errors made in patient treatment. Improve doctors' ability to provide better care. Expose potential safety hazards or warn against adverse events before they happen.

What EMR do hospitals use? ›

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Different hospitals will use different EMR systems, depending on their needs and preferences. However, some of the most popular EMR systems used in hospitals include Epic, Cerner, and MEDITECH.

What are the two types of EHR systems commonly used in healthcare? ›

The various kinds of EHR systems can be streamlined into two basic types:
  • A server-based EHR system, also known as a physician-hosted system.
  • A cloud-based EHR system.

Is EHR and epic the same thing? ›

Epic is a cloud-based EHR built for hospitals with the functionality to handle the day-to-day operations of a practice, including patient medical records. An EMR (electronic medical records) system is responsible for medical records alone, Epic medical records are available in the Epic EHR system.

Is MyChart an EHR? ›

Your electronic health record

MyChart gives secure online access to select, limited health information in the electronic health record to a patient, or a person who the patient chooses (proxy). A patient's entire health record is not reproduced online in MyChart.

Who has the largest EMR in the US? ›

According to KLAS U.S. Hospital EMR Market Share 2019 report, Epic EHR and Cerner hold the largest share of the acute care hospital EHR market. Based on their examination of all acute care hospitals in the United States (5,400 hospitals) market share can be divided as follows: Epic: 28 % Cerner: 26 %

What is the average cost of an EHR system? ›

The study, funded by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, found that the average purchase and implementation cost of an EHR was $32,606 per FTE physician and maintenance costs were another $1,500 per physician per month.

What are examples of electronic medical records? ›

An EHR is a computerized collection of a patient's health records. EHRs include information like your age, gender, ethnicity, health history, medicines, allergies, immunization status, lab test results, hospital discharge instructions, and billing information.

What did hospitals do wrong when introducing electronic health records? ›

[22] However, concerns have been raised about the accuracy and reliability of data entered into the electronic record. Loss or destruction of data occurs during data transfer; this raises concerns about the accuracy of the data base as patient care decisions are based on them.

Who manages electronic health records? ›

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is an electronic version of a patients medical history, that is maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider, including demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, ...

Is EMR better than paper medical records? ›

EMRs provide the following advantages: Fewer storage limits: Your practice size and physical storage limitations won't affect your EMR's data management capabilities. Instead, your EMR plan will include a preset amount of cloud data storage that should easily accommodate all your digital patient charts.

What is a PhR and how can it benefit patients? ›

A personal health record (PHR) refers to the collection of an individual's medical documentation maintained by the individual themselves, or a caregiver, in cases where patients are unable to do so themselves. This personal information includes details such as: The patient's medical history. Applicable diagnoses.

When did electronic health records become mandatory? ›

The enactment of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, a significant component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, legally mandated the adoption and meaningful use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

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