ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS

(EHR)

Definition An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient's paper chart.

EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available

instantly and securely to authorized users.

a digital version of the paper charts in the clinician’s office. An EMR contains the medical and treatment history of the patients in one

practice

EMR –

The information in EMRs doesn’t travel easily out of the practice.

It may need to be printed and mailed to specialists or other care teams.

EMR EHR• contains the standard medical and clinical

data gathered in one provider’s office

• Track data over time

• identifies patients due for preventive screenings or checkups

• monitors vital signs and vaccination status

• Improves overall quality of care for practice

• Provides same information as EMR but includes multiple clinicians

• go beyond the data collected in the provider’s office

• includes a more comprehensive patient history

• built to share information with other health care providers

• The information moves with the patient wherever they go

Differences

• Provides Accurate and complete information about a patient’s health• Enables best possible care – in all health care settings – such as

hospitals, office visits, rehabs

• Gives opportunity to quickly provide care • Provides instant access to medical history, allergies, current

medications

• The ability to better coordinate care• Especially important with chronic conditions such as diabetes or

failure

• Provides a way to share information with patients and their family care givers

EHRs can also help flag potentially dangerous drug interactions, verifymedications and dosages, and reduce the need for potentially risky

tests and procedures

Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs

will provide EHR incentive payments to eligible professionals and eligible hospitals as they:• adopt• Implement•Upgrade• demonstrate meaningful use of

certified electronic health record (EHR)

technology

“The American recovery and Reinvestment Act of

2009 specifies three main components of meaningful

use:

The use of a certified EHR technology:

1. in a meaningful manner, such as e-prescribing

2. for electronic exchange of health information to improve

quality of care

3. to submit clinical quality and other measures

The criteria for meaningful use will be staged in three

steps.”

- McGonigle & Mastrain, 2009

Maintain privacy and security of patient health information

Meaningful useis using EHRtechnology to:

Improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities

Engage patientsand family

Improve care coordination, and population and public health

References

• Learn EHR Basics. (2014, August 29). Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/why-adopt-ehrs

• Garrett, P., & Seidman, J. (2011, January 4). EMR vs EHR – What is the Difference? - Health IT Buzz. Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.healthit.gov/buzz-blog/electronic-health-and-medical-records/emr-vs-ehr-difference/

• McGonigle, D. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

• Meaningful Use Definition and Meaningful Use Objectives of EHRs. (2015, February 2). Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/meaningful-use-definition-objectives