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EMR >> EMR Research
EMR
vs
EHR . Is there a Difference?
Electronic Medical Records
- EMR vs EHR
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Research Article Submitter
Electronic Medical Record: A term that may be
treated synonymously with computer-based patient record
and/or electronic health record; often used in the US to
refer to an electronic health record in a physician
office setting or a computerized system of files (often
scanned via a document imaging system) rather than
individual data elements.
This technology, when fully developed, meets provider
needs for real-time data access and evaluation in
medical care. Together with clinical workstations and
clinical data repository technologies, the EMR provides
the mechanism for longitudinal data storage and access.
A motivation for healthcare entities to implement this
technology derives from the need for medical outcome
studies, more efficient care, speedier communication
among providers and management of health plans.
An EMR facilitates:
1. Easy look up of patient data by clinical staff at any
given location
2. Accurate and complete claims processing by insurance
companies
3. Building automated checks for drug and allergy
interactions
4. Clinical notes
5. Prescriptions
6. Scheduling
7. Sending and viewing labs
What is the difference between an EHR and an EMR?
Not much, if any. The world of medical practice software is
constantly seeking new ways to describe the various options
out there for doctors. However, not many can keep all of it
straight, so everyone just uses what they feel to be the
most popular acronym. At EMRWorld, we tend to use EMR,
electronic medical records, or sometimes EHR, electronic
health records.
The electronic medical record (EMR) is an enabling
technology that allows physician practices to pursue more
powerful quality improvement programs than is possible with
paper-based records. However, achieving quality improvement
through EMR use is neither low-cost nor easy. Of all the
health information technology (IT) in current use, the
electronic medical record (EMR) has the most wide-ranging
capabilities and thus the greatest potential for improving
quality. Research has demonstrated the quality benefits of
electronic documentation and viewing, prescription and test
ordering, care management reminders, and messaging, among
other EMR functions.
EMR use and potential benefits. An EMR can provide the
electronic infrastructure for eight types of clinical and
administrative activities normally conducted in physician
practices. Commercial EMR systems vary in their capabilities
for each type of activity, while practices and physicians
vary greatly in how extensively they use available EMR
capabilities.
Viewing. All practices used EMR viewing capabilities, which
improve chart availability, data organization, and
legibility. Quality benefits depended on the amount of
viewable clinical data.
Documentation and care management. There is a consistent
relationship between greater electronic documentation by
physicians and greater quality improvement and financial
benefits.
In most practices the bulk of EMR-related financial benefits
come from reductions in medical records and transcription
staff as physicians moved from dictation to typing their own
notes. Some practices increase their billing revenue through
more complete capture of services and decreased undercoding
of services provided.
Ordering. Basic use of electronic ordering typically
consists of physicians’ typing in prescription orders,
responding to drug interactions and drug allergy alerts, and
printing out prescriptions.
In large practices, basic ordering often inclludes
electronic ordering of referrals and laboratory and
radiology tests. More advanced ordering capabilities
includes additional decision support, electronic
transmission of orders to pharmacies and laboratories, and
better tracking of test-order status and test results, all
of which can improve quality and decrease errors.
Messaging. Basic use of electronic messaging among providers
improves the availability, timeliness, and accuracy of
messages and increased completeness of documentation, thus
potentially reducing "dropped balls" and safety problems.\
Analysis and reporting. Practices also use physician
performance monitoring and feedback capabilities to improve
quality and efficiency.
Patient-directed functionality. Most practices have limited
or nonexistent practice Web sites for patients. A few
large-practice Web sites enable patients to schedule visits,
send secure e-mail messages to providers, receive e-mail
reminders, order medications, access their charts, and
obtain more individualized educational patient care
information—all of which have the potential to improve
quality.
Billing. Increased integration between billing and EMR
software, combined with electronic documentation, can yield
financial benefits through more complete capture of services
provided, more defensible Medicare coding at higher coding
levels, and reductions in data-entry staff.
Reference: R.H. Miller and I. Sim, "Physicians’ Use of
Electronic Medical Records: Barriers and Solutions," Health
Affairs 23, no. 2 (2004): 116–126.
EMR Research Listing
(Click on the links below for more information)
Continuity of Care Record CCR - A Utility Theory (by Nainil Chheda)
HIPAA (by Rob Tidwell)
FDA (by Rob Tidwell)
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