Definition

electronic medical record (EMR)

Part of the Healthcare IT glossary:

What is an electronic medical record (EMR)?

Next Steps

An electronic medical record (EMR) is a digital version of the traditional paper-based medical record for an individual. The EMR represents a medical record within a single facility, such as a doctor's office or a clinic. 

There are a number of different types of digitized health records that contain most of the same types of information. A personal health record (PHR), for example, is health-related documentation maintained by the individual to which it pertains. An electronic health record (EHR) is an official health record for an individual that is shared among multiple facilities and agencies. There are government incentives in many countries to standardize EHRs and ensure that every citizen has one.

Learn more:

FAQ: What is EHR technology and why is it important?

EHR implementation tutorial: from vendor selection to maintenance.

Why consumers may ultimately drive EHR adoption.

Security best practices for electronic medical records.

This was last updated in December 2011
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

  • OpenEMR

    - OpenEMR is free, open source software for the health care industry. OpenEMR integrates medical practice management, electronic medical record (EMR), patient scheduling and electronic billing functi... (SearchHealthIT.com)

  • ambulatory medical record (AMR)

    - An ambulatory medical record (AMR) is an electronically stored file of a patient’s outpatient medical records, which includes all surgeries and care that do not involve being admitted to a hospital. (SearchHealthIT.com)

  • Practice Fusion

    - Practice Fusion announced that its EMR software is now bundled with Dell desktop, laptop, printer, scanner and networking systems that have been pre-configured for the medical industry. (SearchHealthIT.com)

Glossaries

  • Healthcare IT

    - Terms related to healthcare IT, including definitions about healthcare information and management systems and words and phrases about electronic health records, meaningful use, government regulatio...

  • Internet applications

    - This WhatIs.com glossary contains terms related to Internet applications, including definitions about Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models and words and phrases about web sites, e-commerce ...

Dig Deeper

People Who Read This Also Read...

Ask a Question. Find an Answer.Powered by ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Ask An IT Question

Get answers from your peers on your most technical challenges

Ask Question

Tech TalkComment

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.
    Back to top