Question

What are the differences between EMRs and EHRs? What challenges have they presented for health care managers?

Answer 1

Differences between EMRs and EHRs

1. EMRs are the Electronic Medical Records , where as the EHRs are Electronic Health Records.

2. Electronic Medical Record is the digital version or the computerised version of a single patient's medical details such as the diagnosis, medical history and the treatment from a certain physician or the specialist.

Electronic Health Records are the comprehensive records of patients details in a digital version. EHR consists of the overall health and illness details of a patient. A complete medical history of the patient, treatment received from different doctors and specialists, lab reports and the history of allergies etc.

3. Electronic Medical Records are not meant to be shared outside and it can be used for diagnosis snd treatment by the providers.

Electronic Health Records are created to share with other providers. Other health care providers can access the records instantly with the authorisation from the patient. It can be used by the authorised health care providers.

4. Patient screening and follow ups get reminded by the help of Electronic Medical Records , it leads to the improvement in patient care.

Different health care providers can use EHR for decision making and the medical details of a patient, can move with them to different doctors, specialists, pharmacies, emergency rooms etc.

Challenges for health care managers related to EMR and EHRs:

* Cyber security : Cyber attacks and leakage of confidential information might be there.

* Cost: EHRs are in demand of a huge cost. It may be a significant burden financially for the health care organisation.

* Restricted access to internet sites and applications by the staffs

* Interoperability ( The capability of a product or a system to interact and function with others reciprocally. Computer systems should be able to communicate with one another. Most of the hospital have old systems and technologies, that should be updated.

* Information overload and physician burn out: Physicians and nurses are getting less time to communicate with the patient, they are overloaded with documentation and technical work.

* Low productivity by Physician: Burn out and overload with the system works, physician's productivity and quality patient care getting affected.