Electronic Health Record (EHR) Definition

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart that contains their medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory results. EHRs are designed to be accessed and shared by authorized healthcare providers from multiple healthcare organizations.

EHRs aim to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare delivery by enabling healthcare providers to make better-informed decisions, reduce medical errors, and provide coordinated care. They also facilitate the secure sharing of patient information between healthcare providers, enhancing communication and continuity of care. EHRs are governed by privacy and security regulations to protect patient confidentiality and ensure data integrity.