ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD

The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting. Included in this information are patient demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports. The EHR automates and streamlines the clinician's workflow. The EHR has the ability to generate a complete record of a clinical patient encounter - as well as supporting other care-related activities directly or indirectly via interface - including evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting.

Electronic health record systems are usually accessed on a computer, often over a network. It may be made up of electronic health records (EHRs) from many locations and/or sources. Among the many forms of data often included in electronic health record systems are patient demographics, medical history, medicine and allergy lists (including immunization status), laboratory test results, radiology images, billing records and advanced directives.

Electronic health record systems are believed to increase physician efficiency and reduce costs, as well as promote standardization of care. An electronic health record system can help reduce medical errors by providing healthcare workers with decision support. Fast access to medical literature and current best practices in medicine enable proliferation of ongoing improvements in healthcare efficacy.