Electronic Health Record | EHR

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a comprehensive, digital version of a patient’s overall health information, compiled from various clinical sources. Unlike an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), which is typically confined to the documentation of a patient’s clinical data within one provider’s office, an EHR transcends individual departments and even healthcare institutions.

EHRs, in essence, represent the integration of multiple EMRs, offering a more holistic view of a patient’s health history. This includes vital medical data such as patient demographics, past medical history, medication records, immunizations, laboratory test results, radiology reports, and other pertinent health information. Integration with third party software may be necessary to incorporate larger datasets such as those involving digital imaging.

In the context of medical imaging informatics, EHRs play a vital role in streamlining the storage, retrieval, and exchange of medical imaging data, including imaging studies, radiologist interpretations, and other associated data. They support the integration of DICOM images and reports, enhancing the continuum of care, enabling more informed clinical decision-making, and facilitating coordinated, patient-centered healthcare.