What distinguishes EHR from traditional health records?

The distinguishing feature of Electronic Health Records (EHR) compared to traditional health records lies in their electronic format and the ability to be shared among providers. EHRs are designed to be comprehensive, enabling healthcare providers to easily access, update, and share patient information efficiently. This electronic nature facilitates better coordination of care since multiple providers can view and utilize the same records in real-time, improving collaboration and reducing the potential for errors that can occur with paper records.

In contrast, traditional health records are often paper-based, limiting their accessibility and making sharing more cumbersome and inefficient. Additionally, EHRs encompass a wide variety of patient information beyond just diagnostic codes, including treatment history, medications, allergies, and more, thus providing a holistic view of patient health. Furthermore, EHRs eliminate the need for physical storage space that is required for paper records, enabling more sustainable practices within healthcare settings. This enhanced capability and accessibility are what fundamentally set EHRs apart from traditional record-keeping methods.