Why EHR and not EMR?

EHR stands for Electronic Health Record while EMR stands for Electronic Medical Record. Both are essentially quite different. EHR has interoperability: the ability to exchange data among different healthcare providers and hospitals across states in real-time, while EMR doesn’t have this ability. EHR are far superior to EMR.

Some of the advanced functions of an EHR are listed below.

The data shared using an EMR is limited to a healthcare facility. Using EMR, medical information of a patient is gathered, modified, and discussed with providers and staff within a single space. When using EHR that integrates data is shared across healthcare providers. That data is used for consultation among doctors across different healthcare facilities and providers. EHR essentially allows patients and the doctors to remain connected on a larger scale.

EHR and EMR are both electronic records and save usage of paper. EHR saves paper of many facilities who are exchanging data among themselves. EMR on the other hand are reducing their paper usage of a particular facility.

The care provided by EHR goes a long way because clinician’s notes from one hospital can reach another hospital while using EMR it is not possible. EHR, as a result, save providers/hospital costs in terms of reduction of staff members and no travel is required by the provider. This results in higher rate of return in terms of invested amount, time and energy. All the data is exchanged electronically among organizations

The care provided through EHR is significantly larger than the care provided through an EMR as it operates on a larger scale. EHR focuses on complete care of the patient while EMR doesn’t do that. Data available in the EHR is able to travel easily out of facility to provide high level of care to the patient. The sooner you switch to the EHR, the better it is.