EMR vs. EHR Software
The terms Electronic Health Record (EHR) software and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software are used interchangeably these days. Prior to integration and interoperability, an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) was a standalone software system that physicians and clinicians interacted with to electronically capture and document past medical history, clinical assessment, care provided to and responses of the patient, and note the plan of care for the patient, post discharge. The EMR is a clinical software record of care provided a patient. In contrast, integration of two or more systems providing data into a patient’s clinical record is an Electronic Health Record (EHR), documenting a patient’s encounter of care. The EHR contains clinical content and data from multiple medical sources, such as labs.
EMR Software & EHR Software: Does the Difference Matter?
A key differentiator between EHR and EMR software is that EHR provides a more comprehensive view into a patient’s health and history by pulling information from other systems. This is also known as EHR interoperability and supports such EHR features as ePrescribing or lab results. For example, a patient goes to ED for chest pain and follows up with their Primary Care physician who refers them to a Cardiologist. In this example the EHR software record would contain clinical summaries of care from the hospital, primary care physician, and the cardiologist.
EHR is Preferred over EMR for EHR Software & Technology
Definition of EHR Software
EHR is the prevailing term used within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to describe the software and technologies to be used by physicians and hospitals seeking incentive funds to spur the adoption and use of these clinical information systems. [+]
Integration of two of more systems providing data into a patient’s clinical record is an Electronic Health Record (EHR), documenting a patient’s encounter of care. Unlike EMR software, the EHR contains clinical content and data from multiple medical sources, such as labs. The EHR contains clinical information captured and documented about the patient and their care from the practice this record resides as well clinical results, referrals and consultations from other providers of care for a comprehensive view of a patient health care and maintenance.
Definition of EMR Software
The National Alliance for Health Information Technology (NAHIT) defines EMR software as: “The electronic record of health-related information on an individual that is created, gathered, managed, and consulted by licensed clinicians and staff from a single organization who are involved in the individual’s health and care. [+]
NAHIT Definition of EHR Software EHR software is the “Aggregate electronic record of health-related information on an individual that is created and gathered cumulatively across more than one health care organization, and is managed and consulted by licensed clinicians and staff involved in the individual’s health and care.”
EMR Software is Owned by the Entity Providing Patient Care
EMR software belongs to and is owned by the hospital/physician practice/clinic that provides the patient medical care. It is the clinical record of assessments, care delivered and plan of care provided a patient.
- An EMR may contain some information from outside the immediate care setting.
- An EMR is the physician’s or hospital’s version of the medical care provided to the patient.
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