How do EMR and EHR differ?

The key distinction in this context is that EMRs (Electronic Medical Records) and EHRs (Electronic Health Records) serve different purposes and encompass different scopes of patient information. EMRs are primarily designed to be used by healthcare providers for the treatment and diagnosis of patients within a single practice. They typically contain a narrower focus, detailing specific patient visits, treatment history, and clinical data.

On the other hand, EHRs provide a more comprehensive view of a patient’s health over time. They are designed to be shared across different healthcare settings and can include a broader spectrum of health history, including treatment history from multiple providers, medications, allergies, immunizations, lab results, and even the ability to share information with patients. This allows for better care coordination and improves communication across various parts of the healthcare system.

The understanding of these distinctions is crucial for effectively utilizing healthcare information systems, as it highlights the need for interoperability and comprehensive patient care across different healthcare environments.