What is an electronic health record system (EHR), and how is it helpful to healthcare providers? Let’s break down the most important things you need to know about EHR systems.
This article explains what EHR systems are and their impact on patient care.
Table of Contents
What Is EHR? Understanding The Basics
An EHR system is an electronic copy of an individual’s medical history. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that an EHR system includes information on patient demographics, health problems, medications, vital signs, vaccinations, laboratory results, visits, and clinical notes.
Healthcare providers used to maintain these healthcare records in paper format. However, with increasing digitization in the healthcare industry, medical records are transitioning to electronic formats. More healthcare providers are adopting EHR systems. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 88.2% of office-based physicians use any EHR or electronic medical records (EMR) systems, while 77.8% of office-based physicians use certified versions.
EMR and EHR Meaning: Is There a Difference?
EHR systems and EMR systems are related concepts, but they should not be confused with one another. According to Forbes Advisor, their main distinction lies in their maintenance structure:
- EHR system – interoperable and overseen by multiple providers
- EMR system – the responsibility of one provider
Since multiple providers are responsible for maintaining an EHR system, you can expect it to contain more information. Another key difference is the interoperability of EHR systems, meaning various providers can access them, including affiliated laboratories and clinics. This feature allows ease of access to patient records.
The Most Common EHR System Providers
Today, various software providers offer EHR systems to hospitals and clinics. Definitive Healthcare lists the top EHR vendors ranked by market share as of August 16, 2023:
- Epic Systems Corporation
- Oracle Cerner
- MEDITECH
- Evident a CPSI Company
- MEDHOST
- Altera Digital Health, a Harris Company
- Vista
- Proprietary Software
- CliniComp
Epic Systems is the most widely used, with 2,709 installations. Taking the second and third spots are Oracle Cerner with 1,576 installations and MEDITECH with 896 installations.
Benefits of EHR Adoption in Healthcare
Now that you know what EHR systems are, let’s discuss their benefits. EHR systems offer numerous advantages for patients and healthcare providers. Here are some of them:
Accessibility
EHR systems make healthcare data readily available to providers and patients. Medical records can easily “move” with individuals who see multiple healthcare providers.
Precision and accuracy
EHR systems are more accurate than paper-based records, lessening medical errors. You don’t need to decipher handwritten notes. They also offer standardized templates and documentation.
Reduced delays
EHR systems hasten treatment and help healthcare professionals provide quality care. You can quickly bring up a patient’s medical records so doctors and patients can make better-informed decisions.
Challenges in Adopting an EHR System
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Cybersecurity Program lists several online threats that compromise EHR systems:
- Phishing attacks: Cybercriminals can exploit emails and trick users into divulging their login passwords or installing malicious software
- Malware: Cyberattackers can also deploy malicious software like viruses, worms, and trojans to harm the functionality of your EHR system, network, or device.
- Ransomware: This type of malware encrypts your files so you can’t access them. The attacker then demands a “ransom” in the form of money or cryptocurrency in exchange for the decryption key.
- Inadequate encryption: Encryption protects data in transit and at rest. Data becomes vulnerable to cyberattacks if your device and EHR system lack encryption.
- Insider threats: Your staff’s negligence, carelessness, malicious intent, or lack of knowledge can cause unauthorized access to an EHR system.
Best Practices in Choosing and Implementing an EHR System
Since EHR systems are prone to cyber threats, make sure that you follow these guidelines:
Choose a HIPAA-compliant EHR system
Select a provider that offers advanced security measures such as strong encryption, role-based access controls, audit logs, data backup, disaster recovery, firewalls, and third-party auditing. The provider should also sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), which is required under HIPAA.
Train staff on HIPAA rules
HIPAA is a federal law that ensures data privacy and makes healthcare providers accountable for HIPAA violations. Conduct regular training to stay updated on HIPAA guidelines and avoid a data breach due to negligence or lack of knowledge.
Choose HIPAA-compliant integrations
EHR systems can also integrate with other providers, such as Internet fax, practice management software, radiology information systems, and pharmacy management software. Make sure that the software you choose also values security and HIPAA compliance.
The Role of EHR in Redefining Health System Efficiency
What is an EHR system? Now that you have a clearer understanding of what it is, its challenges, and its benefits, it’s crucial to explore its impact on improving your organization’s overall efficiency further. As the healthcare industry witnesses a digital shift, the adoption of EHR systems is becoming more widespread.
It’s safe to assume that more healthcare providers will rely on these systems for effective data management. Given its potential to streamline processes and reduce errors, the widespread use of EHR systems can significantly change how healthcare organizations operate.
