EMR vs EHR
EMRs (electronic medical records) are computerized equivalents of paper patient charts, which have long been essential in medical professions. EHRs (electronic health records) are more detailed.
The phrases “EMR” and “EHR” are frequently used in the medical field. Although these names are sometimes used interchangeably, did you realize that they actually relate to various types of medical software? Continue reading to learn the differences between EMRs and EHRs, as well as how these differences may affect your practice.
What is the difference between an electronic medical record (EMR) and an electronic health record (EHR)?
EMRs (electronic medical records) are computerized equivalents of paper patient charts, which have long been essential in medical professions. EHRs (electronic health records) are more detailed.
As a result, EHRs provide access to a variety of key medical practice functions through a single interface. You may read a patient’s whole medical history and then quickly transition to prescribing crucial medications with this approach. You can also communicate inside your practice using patient point-of-care tools, which keep track of what happens on one day and show it to practitioners on another day. Interoperability solutions for electronic health records help allow proper communication across different practices.
In a nutshell, EHRs are patient charts and the various tools that a practice may employ to keep all practitioners and employees informed about a patient’s health and billing requirements. (Practice management systems, often known as PMS or PM software, can make scheduling and billing appointments even easier.) Most medical experts, on the other hand, use the two names interchangeably.
An electronic medical record (EMR) is a computerized version of a practice’s paper patient charts and medical records. If you use an EMR system in your clinic, your platform of choice will store all of your patients’ medical information. Before, during, or after an appointment, you’ll be able to pull up an individual patient’s chart for analysis. Your practice has exclusive access to all information saved in your EMR.
EMRs are often thought to be superior than patient charts since they make tracking a patient’s data over time more easier. Many EMRs can also connect to remote patient monitoring technologies, providing doctors with real-time medical information on patients who require more hands-on care.
An EHR system performs all of the functions of an EMR while also preparing your clinic for development and improved internal and external communication. You can create a continuous, timestamped record of patient care that all of your nurses, doctors, and other medical staff can refer to using an EHR. You’ll also obtain interoperability tools, which allow individuals outside your clinic to access medical data, including patients.
When a clinic uses an EHR, it becomes ready to involve as many individuals as needed in a patient’s treatment. EHRs allow you to transfer patient data from your practice to specialists who are involved in your patient’s treatment in a seamless manner. They also ensure that no information is lost if your patient relocates and needs to find a new primary care physician. These characteristics make EHRs more patient-centric than EMRs, which are more practice-centric.
You may also use EHRs to set up a telehealth service and prescribe drugs and lab testing without having to print anything. Most EHRs will alert you before you finish a prescription if it contains medications that could cause hazardous interactions. You could put your patients in danger if you don’t have these notifications.
When should you utilize an EHR and when should you use an EMR?
Having an interoperable platform that links with all points of care a patient may encounter is a requirement of today’s EHR software. The use of an electronic health record (EHR) enhances both the quality of patient treatment and the overall patient experience, whereas the use of a paper medical record (EMR) may only improve the former. EMRs are undeniably superior to paper patient charts and medical records, but they only fill in the gaps in those records. Through all of the aforementioned features and technologies, EHRs, on the other hand, improve the complete patient experience.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has created incentives for healthcare institutions to embrace interoperable medical software platforms, resulting in a rise in EHR usage and a decrease in the use of EMRs.
Benefits of EMR and EHRs
These are only a few of the many advantages of electronic medical records (EMRs) and electronic health records (EHRs) for all medical practices.
A detailed medical history of the patient is available -
Because EHRs and EMRs are completely digital, each entry contains a precise date and time. More crucially, with only a few clicks, these electronic devices can arrange all data chronologically. This feature allows your nurses and doctors to swiftly assess a patient’s current medical needs and deliver appropriate care.
Participation of patients -
Patients can usually access their own medical data with EHRs, which is almost impossible with paper records and remains tough with EMRs. Benefits of EMRs and EHRs This access can be useful if a patient wants to think about their treatment options for a major medical issue while at home.
Patient relocation to different facilities or easier specialist engagement -
Patients will need to bring hard copies of their medical records to specialist appointments if they use paper records or EMRs. If your patient switches primary care physicians for any reason, the same applies. This difficulty is solved by electronic health records (EHRs): Their HIPAA-compliant interoperability technologies get the patient’s data into the hands of other practitioners.
Complete data security -
When it comes to HIPAA, all of the best EHR systems are HIPAA-compliant. Their data security and privacy procedures are compliant with federal government regulations, so you won’t have to worry about invading a patient’s privacy while providing thorough care. Electronic patient data is significantly more difficult for bad actors to obtain than paper records because of these data safeguards.
Speech-to-text -
Speech-to-text functionality is available in both EHR and EMR systems while taking notes during patient interactions. This feature provides a number of advantages, including more accurate charts and simplified medical billing.
Inclusion of PMS -
Practice management software is frequently included with EHR software. Several front-office duties, such as scheduling appointments and registering patients, can be automated using PMS platforms. It can increase the productivity of your medical billing by allowing coders and billers easy access to your clinical data. You may also create personalized reports to assist you enhance the financial success of your practice.
Although many medical software companies charge you individually for EMR and PMS software, Kareo provides comprehensive EMR and PMS access to all paying users.
There will be no piles of paper or misplaced records -
In fast-paced, emergency-heavy, high-volume environments like hospitals and medical clinics, paper records simply do not cut it. Both EMRs and EHRs have digital records that overcome this problem. They reduce paper clutter, and the practitioner notes are less likely to be misconstrued because they are typed rather than handwritten. Digital recordkeeping is the industry standard at this time.
