The terms Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are often considered interchangeable, but this overlooks significant differences between the two types of systems.
Originally, EMRs were the lone alternative to paper records and only served the purposes of diagnosis and treatment. However, EHRs evolved from this technology by incorporating enhanced capabilities in terms of the information contained and user accessibility.
Today, we’ll take a look at EMRs, and how EHRs improved upon them.
What’s an EMR?
Basically, EMRs took paper health records and digitized them, leading to a host of improvements.
For instance, EMRs deliver a more complete overview of patient data compared to their paper counterparts. Plus, they improve the quality of patient care by enhancing data tracking, managing patient parameters, and flagging patients due for screenings and checkups.
Unfortunately, EMRs fall short when it comes to interoperability. In an EMR, physicians can’t digitally transfer patient data over to a specialist. In fact, a patient’s information was often converted back to paper when sharing was necessary in this antiquated system.
Why EHRs are an Improvement
Take all of the advances EMRs made over paper charts, add the ability to securely share patient data between providers, and you have an EHR. Being able to securely transfer patient information results in increased collaboration between providers and leads to better patient care.
EHRs also allow physicians to enhance their patient engagement efforts by collaborating and reviewing data in real-time with their patients. CareCloud’s EHR, Charts, even comes equipped with a patient portal, which allows physicians to meaningfully interact with patients, even after they leave the office.
With so many capabilities, it’s no wonder CMS has created the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.
So through improved efficiency, less errors and decreased healthcare costs EHRs are huge improvements over their EMR predecessors.
If you’d like to find out why our cloud-based EHR is the best option, please contact us at 1-877-342-7517 or hello@carecloud.com.
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