What is an electronic health record?

An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centred records that provide information instantly and securely to authorised users. While an EHR contains medical and treatment histories, it is built to go beyond standard clinical data collected in a provider’s office, offering a broader view of the patient’s care. EHRs are a vital part of health IT and can:

• Contain a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunisation dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results
• Allow access to evidence-based tools for providers to make informed decisions about a patient’s care
• Automate and streamline provider workflows

One of the key features of an EHR is that health information can be created and managed by authorised providers in a digital format capable of being shared with other providers across more than one healthcare organisation. EHRs are designed to share information with other healthcare providers and organisations – such as laboratories, specialists, medical imaging facilities, pharmacies, emergency departments, and school and workplace clinics – so they containing data from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care.

What are the advantages of electronic health records?

EHRs and the ability to exchange health information electronically help provide higher-quality, safer care for patients while creating tangible improvements for your organisation. EHRs help providers manage patient care more effectively and improve healthcare by:

• Providing accurate, up-to-date, and complete information about patients at the point of care
• Enabling quick access to patient records for more coordinated, efficient care
• Securely sharing electronic information with patients and other clinicians
• Helping providers **diagnose patients, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care more effectively**
• Improving interaction and communication between patients and providers, as well as health care convenience
• Enabling safer, more reliable prescribing
• Helping promote legible, complete documentation and accurate, streamlined coding and billing
• Enhancing the privacy and security of patient data
• Helping providers improve productivity and work-life balance