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EMR vs EHR

EMR vs EHR: What is the difference?

There are plenty of acronyms that are in use inside the healthcare industry. EHR and EMR are two standard terms that can be used alternatively. When it comes to a debate on EMR vs EHR, both are pretty similar; however, they have different meanings. Furthermore, EMR is an acronym for ‘Electronic Medical Records,’ while EHR is an acronym for ‘Electronic Health Records’. EHRs have a deeper and broader scope in comparison to an EMR.

Here we will discuss the major differences, the concept of EMR and EHR in medical billing services, and the role that EHR vs EMR systems play in record keeping for the healthcare industry.

EMR vs EHR Major Differences

EHR (Electronic Health Records)

  • EHRs constitute digital records of patient health information.
  • EHRs streamline sharing with other labs and providers of updated real-time information.
  • Facilitates the movement of patient data along with them.
  • EHRs offer tools for providers to use for effective decision making.
EMR (Electronic Medical Records)
  • EMRs are a digital formation of patient charts.
  • EMRs cannot share information outside an individual practice.
  • EMR patient records do not easily travel outside of a practice.
  • Healthcare professionals use these for treatment and diagnostics.

What is an EMR?

EMR constitutes a patient’s medical history maintained electronically by a solo provider. EMRs contain demographic data, allergies, medications, lab results, immunizations, radiology reports, and visits. EMRs might also include billing and insurance information.

What is an EHR?

EHRs offer a patient’s medical history, which is maintained electronically through multiple providers. EHRs contain demographic information, allergies, medications, immunizations, lab results, visits, and radiology reports. The EHRs might also include billing information, along with insurance information.
Did You Know?
EHR platforms are interesting, as this system will alert you if you prescribe medications that can interact with something your patients are already taking.

Key Differences Between EMRs and EHRs

The significant difference between EHRs and EMRs is that multiple providers can maintain the EHRs; however, the EMRs can only be maintained by a single provider. What it means is that EHRs have more information compared to EMRs. Most providers use EMRs for treatment and diagnosis.

Another key difference is that the EHR systems are designed to be interoperable, while EMRs are not. The meaning of interoperability means that different systems can use and share data. This functionality is essential as it enables providers to access a patient’s complete medical information, even when a patient sees multiple providers. EHRs facilitate a patient’s information to move with them to labs, imaging centers, specialists, pharmacies, and emergency rooms – both locally and nationally.

Using an EMR vs EHR

When a medical practice has access to an EHR system, it means they are using an interoperable platform that can connect with all points of patient care. EHRs boost revenue, in addition to the quality of patient care. All of this in addition to offering a comprehensive patient experience. On the other hand, EMRs can only achieve the former. While the EMR systems are an improvement in comparison to paper patient charts, these can only address the gaps in paper records. The newer regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have incentivized healthcare practices to adopt interoperable medical software, leading to an increase in the adoption of EHRs, and the subsequent reduction in the use of EMRs.

Bonus Tip
EHRs are a better choice for practitioners as compared to EMR systems. Due to technological advancements and government regulations, EMRs have been effectively replaced in favor of EHRs.

EHRs Meeting Medicare and Medicaid Requirements

EHR systems are essential to meet the meaningful use requirements for medical billing services in the USA. The Meaningful Use is a Medicaid and Medicare program supporting the use of EHRs for improving patient care. The providers must follow a close set of criteria to avoid penalties and achieve Meaningful Use of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements. The said criteria serve as a roadmap for the effective use of EHR. The CMS has renamed the Medicare Meaningful Use Program as MIPS and the Medicaid program as Promoting Interoperability.

Advantages of EHR vs EMR Systems

In comparison to paper records, the digital patient record system known as the EHR, can add information management tools for help providers offer enhanced care to patients. This is done by better organization, interpreting, and reacting to data. 

Moreover, the EHR systems can offer clinical alerts and reminders while connecting experts for healthcare decision support. In theory, the more interactive an EHR system will be, the more it prompts the user to provide additional information. Such instances not only help collect more data but also enhance completeness. EHRs are the future of the healthcare industry as these offer the critical data that helps make informed decisions. Additionally, EHRs also help in care coordination between multiple providers. 

Furthermore, the EHR system focuses on a patient’s overall and total health. The EHR software is designed to expand the scope beyond organizations that initially compile and collect the information. EHR software is built to share data with other concerned healthcare providers, including laboratories and specialists. What’s more, EHRs contain information from all clinicians involved in a patient’s care. 

The actual scope of EHR is quite broad, as the information from an EHR system moves along with the patients to the hospitals, specialists, nursing homes, or even across the USA. EHRs can be accessed by all people who are involved in a patient’s care, which also includes the patient themselves.

Final Word – EMR vs EHR Usage Trends

EHR is the future of billing services and operations in healthcare as it offers critical data which assist in coordinating patient care between all providers in a healthcare ecosystem. EMR and EHRs are commonly used terms. However, the EHRs are referenced more frequently. This is due to CMS’s and the ONC’s preference of the term-EHR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most of the time, hospitals use both EHRs and EMR systems. Hospitalists use EHRs to share patient data with multiple medical providers. Moreover, they also use EMRs which a single provider maintains.
Selecting an integrated EHR goes beyond just features; in doing so, you will have to consider the pricing, necessary hardware, and implementation complexity. All of this is in addition to the availability of support and training.
EHR systems can aid in preventing medical errors by effectively flagging potential drug interactions or subsequent adverse reactions.

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