What Is the Difference Between EHR and EMR?

The switch to electronic records has introduced health facilities to not only new terms but also sophisticated software solutions to be used in their workflows. In this article, we’re going to find the difference between EHR and EMR and how to efficiently adopt EMR and EHR systems within clinics and hospitals.

The list of the Content

• What is EMR?
• What is EHR?
• What is the difference between EHR and EMR?
• EMR and EHR difference: how is it used?
• How to choose between EMR and EHR?
• How to implement EHR vs EMR systems?
• Existek expertise in EMR and EHR system development
• Conclusion

As a prime example of a successful transition from paper charts to electronic records, we can easily take the healthcare industry. And it is obvious that governments and healthcare providers have put considerable effort and resources into supporting this changeover. According to CDC, a national public health agency in the United States, the percentage of physicians using EMR and EHR systems reaches the point of 88.2%. 

The accuracy and availability of patient data can make an enormous impact on healthcare quality. Since medical practitioners have gained improved access to the history of patients’ health conditions, they definitely favor additional tools to optimize care delivery. Electronic records embrace core aspects like data efficiency, reduced costs, and patient outcomes. It compliments better decision-making and continuity of care throughout the industry.

WHAT IS EMR?

The first aspect that we’d like to start with is defining these terms and approaching them separately. Of course, you might have noticed that they are often used interchangeably, though there is a distinct difference between EMR and EHR. So, let’s go step by step to discover some additional specifications.

EMR stands for electronic medical records that compile patients’ health information. The distinguishing characteristic is that it’s a digital version of the patient’s chart in a single practice. It typically contains the patient’s personal info, vitals, diagnoses, prescriptions, treatments, and other health-related data. In fact, electronic medical records replace traditional paper records, so healthcare providers have quick and up-to-date access to their patients’ data. 

Electronic medical records make collecting and managing essential health data easier and more convenient. Healthcare providers get access to the required data in digital forms and don’t need to deal with time-consuming paperwork. 

The only thing is that electronic medical records belong to a particular health facility. They are subject to use in one specific organization and work well, mostly for internal clinic operations. These records aren’t meant to be shared or transferred outside of the organization. If some data needs to be shared with patients or other specialists for further treatments, it could be printed at the request. As a result, EMRs refer to medical records in a digital form collected and used by one healthcare provider.

WHAT IS EHR?

Looking at the difference between EHR and EMR, we are ready to move on to discussing it in the next term. And it isn’t surprising that EHR stands for electronic health records that also embrace patients’ health information in a digital version. This type of electronic record basically extends the capabilities of EMR as it can be shared with other healthcare providers.

Electronic health records form a centralized patient data platform so medical practitioners can access them across different health facilities. The main purpose is to make this valuable data instantly accessible for all authorized providers. The comprehensive overview of the patient’s medical history leads to improved decision-making, care plans, and services. 

The continuity of health data has the direct benefit of providing effective and quality care. Of course, EHRs can contain data similar to EMRs or paper-based records. It includes everything related to patients’ medical histories, diagnoses, prescriptions, lab results, imaging reports, and more. Besides, electronic health records can present additional information like insurance details, health research studies, or patient data gathered through mHealth apps.

Supporting the opportunity to share health data with other trusted users makes it accessible for doctors, nurses, lab specialists, or anyone else involved in healthcare. It enables effective coordination within not only one clinic or hospital but also builds a solid foundation for coordinated medical care. The adoption of EHRs requires heightened security to ensure data privacy and patient confidentiality.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EHR AND EMR?

When definitions are given, it’s easier to approach the main question, “What is the difference between EMR and EHR?”. Both terms deal with electronic records in healthcare. However, they follow a completely different approach in further usage. EMR is a digital version of medical charts within one health facility, whereas EHR can embrace health records from multiple sources to be shared with others. 

EMRs basically remain at the core of any EHR system as they need patients’ health information collected from different facilities. It goes beyond standard EMR functionality and focuses on managing health data for the usage of multiple environments. EHR systems incorporate seamless workflows and support communication between all members of the healthcare community.

A wide adoption of EMR and EHR systems shapes the bright future of healthcare. It’s vital to provide critical health data for coordinated care. When patients receive services from multiple providers, sharing certain health information can be a really decisive factor in the improvement of care standards. The larger the number of practitioners and organizations that use EMR and EHR, the more chances they can deliver quality medical care. For instance, emergency cases always require a quick response to a wide range of conditions. Therefore, access to such patients’ health records saves not only time but also their lives.

Digital records are an inevitable component of maintaining comprehensive patient data management. Health facilities of all specifications have the direct responsibility for the accuracy, consistency, and security of patients’ data. So, more and more providers are in the process of implementing or already using EMR and EHR solutions. It might be a hard choice as the chosen software has to meet both the clinic requirements and healthcare standards. Before we proceed with the next part on how to choose between various software options, let’s emphasize a few more aspects to have a thorough understanding of the difference between EHR and EMR.

EHR VS EMR: HOW IS IT USED WITHIN HEALTH FACILITIES?

The EHR and EMR difference outlines distinct purposes, and healthcare technology continues to introduce new functionality on a regular basis. It gets much easier to find a suitable solution and meet the compliance standards. Health facilities can adopt ready-to-use systems or start custom software development to cover some specific clinic needs. The main thing to remember is that any solution has to follow the common goal of leveraging technology to improve care services and reduce the workload.

It’s easier to spot the difference between EHR and EMR while discovering the common use cases among healthcare providers. We’ll start with some additional EMR usage specifications. 

EMR purpose of use

EMR systems are used to report internal clinical data and patients’ information related to care provided within the same practice. It serves the goal of making specific diagnoses and treatments, though not covering the full patient’s health history.

What functionality do EMR solutions include?

• Document management
• Patient history recording
• Scheduling tools
• Visit records
• Treatment plans

Who uses EMRs?

It’s mainly used by healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, therapists, and medical specialists operating within a single practice.

What health facilities use the EMR system?

• Small clinics
• Private medical practices
• Specialized clinics (dentistry, beauty clinics, etc.)
• Therapy centers 
• Mental health clinics
• Rehabilitation facilities

As for EHR usage trends, it’s important to focus on the following things.

EHR purpose of use

Knowing the difference between EMR and EHR, it becomes clear that this type of system reports a wider range of health data and other related information. It aims to create a full patient health history for multiple providers within the entire healthcare system.

What functionality do EHR solutions cover?

• Charting and document management
• Distributed access control
• E-prescriptions
• Communication tools
• Reporting 
• Lab integration
• Patient Portal

Who uses EHRs?

It’s shared with medical practitioners and other specialists involved in a patient’s care, including pharmacists, lab professionals, imaging specialists, and health workers at workplaces or schools.

What health facilities use the EHR system?

• Large hospitals
• Multi-specialty clinics
• Clinic chains
• Emergency care facilities
• Community health centers
• Public health organizations
• Academic medical centers

Knowing the details of the difference between EHR and EMR might be helpful in finding a suitable solution. Moreover, the market is full of a great variety of available solutions to suit even the most specific needs. Both off-the-shelf and custom options can become your perfect choice when carefully considered and matched with all the outlined clinic needs.

HOW DO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS CHOOSE BETWEEN EMR AND EHR?

Entering the domain of digital healthcare always requires some special effort. Every provider has to carry out a detailed analysis of clinic needs and draw a direct comparison between available options. As one would expect, the difference between EHR and EMR can play the biggest role in making the final decision. The mentioned distinctions hold wider significance and affect the efficient adoption of these systems.

When the provider considers one or another option, there are still a few aspects similar for both system types. It’s something that makes a solid foundation and supports the reasons to adopt these solutions. All the EMR and EHR systems have to cater to core functionality and support the following things.

• Digitized patient records 

Replacing paper-based documentation with electronic formats is an inevitable part of healthcare digitalization. It’s clear that EMR and EHR systems can store, organize, and provide easy access to patient information. The primary focus remains on improved data accuracy for both in-house record-keeping and sharing with other providers.

• Reduced administrative workload

Any health facility will emphasize the importance of staff effort reduction. EHRs and EMRs can definitely help achieve that goal. The systems are introduced to simplify data entry, minimize paperwork, and provide quick access to patient records. It greatly contributes to reducing workload and saving valuable time for medical practitioners. 

• Health information management

Accurate and accessible data benefit quality care delivery in every health facility, with no exception. These advanced systems greatly support data management, secure storage, and authorized access. As a result, it leads to better treatment plans, improved decision-making, and in-depth data analysis.

Determining the similarities is as important as finding the difference between EHR and EMR. Moreover, the requirements of every health facility differ tremendously. They can vary according to numerous other factors, but here are a few more things to consider before making the EMR vs EHR decision.

EHR vs EMR scope 

The scope of information needed to be handled within the health facility definitely becomes the decisive factor. EMR systems will only contain patient information collected in one organization. EHR solutions gather and store health data from multiple sources and are suitable for sharing with other providers. For most medical providers, it’s recommended to choose EHR as it connects medical providers with others. 

EMR vs EHR functionality

Providers need to have a complete overview of the chosen solution specifications and functionalities. Even going with the same system type, they can vary in included features and even some extended capabilities. It’s necessary to approach the choice with a careful market overview of available options. EMRs are more about basic features like storing and internal data management, whereas EHRs are continuously advanced with extra functionalities like billing and patient engagement tools.

EHR vs EMR security 

The meaningful use of technology to improve care quality and data safety is regulated by legislation. Healthcare regulations like HIPPA penalize providers that don’t have a complaint system to store, protect, and update patient data. EHR solutions are subject to more stringent security compliance requirements as they enable data sharing with multiple providers. It’s really important to find EMR and EHR solutions that ensure compliance and qualify for healthcare standards to avoid penalties.

EMR vs EHR vendors

There are many trusted system providers with extensive technical and healthcare expertise to be adopted within different clinics and hospitals. Proper planning always helps with choosing the right solutions and understanding the EHR and EMR difference. If the health facility hasn’t used any system yet, it’s highly recommended that a list of suitable systems be created. They can reach out to vendors for demos and pricing estimates, or they can always implement a custom solution involving software developers. 

EHR vs EHR costs

The successful selection also depends on the ability to compare the costs of available EMR and EHR options. Vendors commonly introduce subscription models that support low initial costs. Predictable spending can become really beneficial, though it’s important to check scalability requirements and technology infrastructure. Custom solutions are long-term investments but involve high expenses at the beginning. It’s important to consider all the financial risks and estimate the spending within the available budget.

EMR vs EHR implementation

As long as the wrong choice can easily disrupt clinic workflows and operations, preparation is essential for every facility. Healthcare providers have to consider implementation stages and define the challenges they might face. Therefore, EMR and EHR need assessment, staff training, and clear data migration guides to complement the smooth transition and the further adoption of the technology within the organization.

We hope that these details have broadened the overall understanding of the EMR and EHR difference. When EMR is limited in scope and accessibility, EHR brings more capabilities to the clinic workflows and coordinates care across multiple providers. Therefore, it is recommended that most healthcare providers adopt EHR systems. As for small clinics, specialized practices, or new health facilities still in the transition process, it’s suitable to use EMRs.

HOW TO IMPLEMENT EMR AND EHR SYSTEMS?

Everyone emphasizes the clear need for a smooth transition that’s possible with meticulous planning. Regardless of the difference between EHR and EMR, the implementation roadmap remains quite similar. Healthcare providers have to be ready to put some effort into not only the adoption of the system but also the preparation. We’ve decided to gather some useful tips to successfully implement your solutions.

• Forward planning

The team typically has to prepare a number of things before implementation. It could involve hardware upgrades, infrastructure needs, data migration, etc. It’s necessary to check all the related specifications to see how the clinic itself is ready for further transition and whether the chosen solution meets the outlined requirements.

• Workflow mapping 

Successful EMR and EHR adoption often goes beyond the technical tasks. The setup stage is not only about installation or software settings. Changes are applied to the existing clinic workflows. The health facilities need to provide a detailed description of work processes, used resources, and opportunities for improvements. Well-planed change management is an integral component of adapting to new workflows.

• Medical specialist involvement

The adoption and use of EMRs and EHRs vary among medical specialties. When you involve the practitioners, they usually provide a fresh perspective with valuable insights. It’s a great idea to test the system with some part of your team, encourage their feedback, and be more prepared for all staff onboarding.

• Data migration

Health facilities have to plan the transfer of existing patient records for data integrity and continuity of care. Depending on the amount and complexity of available data, the team has to come up with a strategic plan to transfer everything accurately and securely. That helps to minimize downtime and avoid unnecessary clinic workflow disruptions.

• Ongoing usability improvements

The adoption of the system is a continuous process that supports long-term benefits. It’s easier to maximize the positive influence when focusing on both technical and staff-related factors. Planning guides the step-by-step implementation and specifies the areas for future improvements.

Integrating new software into the clinic workflows requires organization-wide effort. With the assistance of the system provider and the involvement of your staff, it gets easier to plan and carry out the EHR and EMR system implementation. The tight collaboration helps to improve the general roadmap and come up with individual approaches for successful results.

EXISTEK EXPERTISE IN EMR AND EHR SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

At Existek, we combine extensive technical and healthcare expertise to provide our customers with the best market solutions. Our goal lies in introducing advanced products that meet the varying needs of patients, medical practitioners, health facilities, and other healthcare-related organizations. We share our first-hand experience in building software for clinic management, appointment scheduling, health monitoring, and a lot more.

For instance, LinkHMS, our hospital management system, introduces extensive EMR/EHR capabilities. This product is built to be used across health facilities of different sizes and specialties. The team has always worked towards providing customers with a comprehensive view of health records to deliver quality care at every workflow stage. 

Our products are accessible worldwide and available for healthcare providers from different regions, including Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. LinkHMS has been successfully implemented in small practices, public hospitals, clinic chains, dental clinics, and others. It works to approach digital transformation, upgrade outdated systems, and improve hospital management. We help our customers comply with all the major healthcare and security compliance standards to support quality healthcare globally in all clinic types.

CONCLUSION

The difference between EHR and EMR stresses the importance of finding the right solution for every clinic’s specific needs. The EMR system offers great functionality to digitize patient medical charts, though it can’t bring such extensive changes to existing workflows. EHR solutions definitely focus on more integrated approaches as they introduce more features for coordinated care. That is an inevitable tool for the healthcare industry to share data and support the continuity of care.