Definition of Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
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According to HealthIT.gov, an EMR is the digital version of the patient charts created by individual health facilities and providers.
The data included in an EMR are primarily used to diagnose and treat a patient’s concern. Unlike paper charts, EMRs can help clinicians track and monitor data over time and identify patients with particular needs.
The biggest drawback to an EMR is that it is confined to a single provider. Traditionally, EMRs do not support interoperability or the exchange of information.
While the EMR is an improvement over traditional paper charts, its failure to use standards-based interoperable data can fall short of “meaningful use.”
A 2008 report by the National Alliance for Health Information Technology noted that the EMR term could become obsolete.