What does EHR stand for in a medical context?

In a medical context, EHR stands for Electronic Health Record. This term refers to a digital version of a patient's paper chart and is a comprehensive record that includes all the essential information regarding a patient's health history, treatments, medications, allergies, and test results. EHRs are designed to be shared across different healthcare settings and provide a way for healthcare providers to access and manage patient information electronically, thereby improving the quality of care and facilitating efficient communication among care teams.

The focus on electronic health records is crucial in modern healthcare as they support not only individual patient care but also broader public health initiatives by providing data that can be used for research, quality improvement, and population health management. The use of EHRs can lead to improved outcomes through better coordination of care, reduced medical errors, and increased patient engagement.