Written by
Dylan Fundator
Date published
September 15, 2023
EMR vs. EHR
As technology transforms healthcare, two acronyms keep popping up—EMR & EHR. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different digital record systems. Read on as we clear up exactly what sets electronic medical records and electronic health records apart.
Breaking Down EMR and EHR Terminology
Defining Key Terms – EMR and EHR
First, let’s cover the basic definitions:
- EMR stands for - Electronic Medical Record. An EMR contains the medical data from a single healthcare provider entity, such as a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital.
- EHR stands for - Electronic Health Record. An EHR is a comprehensive health record that includes data from all of a patient’s healthcare providers, providing a complete health history all in one place.
The Core Difference – Source and Scope
The key difference lies in the source and scope of the data:
- EMRs come from a single medical provider or facility. The data is limited to encounters within that entity.
- EHRs pull together records from multiple providers into one system. This gives a holistic view of a patient’s care.
Think of an EMR as the electronic record system for just one doctor’s office. The EHR pulls data from that office as well as labs, specialists, hospitals, and more for a comprehensive profile.
Usage and Benefits of EMRs vs EHRs
EMR Uses and Advantages
For sole practitioners and small clinics, EMR systems provide the following key benefits:
- Streamline clinical workflows and daily operations
- Integrate scheduling, billing, reporting, and more
- Improve overall organization and access to patient data
EMRs excel at supporting providers in running an efficient and optimized practice.
EHR Uses and Advantages
For hospitals and large networks, EHR systems enable:
- A single patient profile from all affiliated providers
- Access to the full continuum of patient care
- Improved coordination, quality, and safety
The data aggregation of EHRs is ideal for population health management across facilities.
The Role of EMRs in Healthcare Education
For students pursuing nursing, medicine, or allied health professions, gaining first-hand EMR experience is invaluable preparation for patient care roles. Through simulated EMR platforms from companies like ChartFlow, learners can practice workflows just like those used in real clinics and hospitals. Whether shadowing EMRs in action or completing hands-on EMR training, this knowledge bridges the education-to-practice gap.
Health Record Systems Are Our Future
EMR and EHR systems have distinct yet complementary roles in modern healthcare. EMRs meet the data needs for individual practices while EHRs connect records across providers. And for future nurses, doctors, and technicians, EMR training in the classroom is the first step towards providing exceptional patient care.
Ready to try an EHR For Yourself?
If you're interested in learning more about how ChartFlow's Educational EHR solution can improve learning outcomes for students in all healthcare programs, create a free instructor account by clicking the link below. For Students, don’t miss our Free EHR Simulation Course.
Dylan Fundator is a healthcare professional with experience in radiology and a passion for both technology and improving patient care.
As a former X-Ray Tech, Dylan has always understood the importance of accurate and efficient documentation, and he brings this expertise to his role as an Account Manager at ChartFlow.
More posts like this
Creating Realistic Labs for CNA and Home Health Aide Students
Creating Realistic Labs for CNA and Home Health Aide Students
May 2, 2024
👶 Obstetrics: Mom & Baby Flowsheets, Now Live in ChartFlow!
👶 Obstetrics: Mom & Baby Flowsheets, Now Live in ChartFlow!
April 17, 2024
Make your own medications for simulation in healthcare and nursing
Make your own medications for simulation in healthcare and nursing
April 15, 2024
Free Video Resources to Learn Medication Administration for Nurses and Medication Aides
Free Video Resources to Learn Medication Administration for Nurses and Medication Aides
April 3, 2024
Free Educational EHR Practice for Medication Aides
Free Educational EHR Practice for Medication Aides
March 29, 2024
Best Podcasts for Respiratory Care & RT Students
Best Podcasts for Respiratory Care & RT Students
March 19, 2024
The Four Parts of a Good Healthcare Simulation
The Four Parts of a Good Healthcare Simulation
February 19, 2024
Games and Activities to Liven up your Nursing Lectures
Games and Activities to Liven up your Nursing Lectures
February 14, 2024
Free Simulation Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Students
Free Simulation Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Students
February 10, 2024
January Webinar: Real-Time Simulation Control with ChartFlow
January Webinar: Real-Time Simulation Control with ChartFlow
February 1, 2024
Bringing IMSH to You: Meet the vendors we think everyone should use (Part 2)
Bringing IMSH to You: Meet the vendors we think everyone should use (Part 2)
January 31, 2024
Bringing IMSH to You: Meet 3 Tech-Forward Vendors (Part 1)
Bringing IMSH to You: Meet 3 Tech-Forward Vendors (Part 1)
January 30, 2024
New Release: Real-Time Simulation Control!
New Release: Real-Time Simulation Control!
January 12, 2024
Using ChartFlow for IPE Simulations across Multiple Locations and Programs
Using ChartFlow for IPE Simulations across Multiple Locations and Programs
October 31, 2023
Best ChatGPT prompts for Nursing Students (no, we aren’t talking about essay writing)
Best ChatGPT prompts for Nursing Students (no, we aren’t talking about essay writing)
October 8, 2023
Training Healthcare's Remote Learners: EHR & EMR Solutions for Distance Education
Training Healthcare's Remote Learners: EHR & EMR Solutions for Distance Education
September 27, 2023
Free Study Tools for Nursing Students including lectures, flashcards, and more
Free Study Tools for Nursing Students including lectures, flashcards, and more
September 22, 2023
Teaching Idea for Nurse Educators: Free documentation and prioritization activity in ChartFlow
Teaching Idea for Nurse Educators: Free documentation and prioritization activity in ChartFlow
September 18, 2023
Practice Patient Case Study for First Responders and Emergency Technician Students (Scenario #6)
Practice Patient Case Study for First Responders and Emergency Technician Students (Scenario #6)
September 17, 2023
How to use ChartFlow to make IPE Simulations Easy
How to use ChartFlow to make IPE Simulations Easy
September 12, 2023
We're San Diego-Bound for IMSH 2024: Come See ChartFlow, Our Cutting-Edge Simulated EHR & EMR Platform
We're San Diego-Bound for IMSH 2024: Come See ChartFlow, Our Cutting-Edge Simulated EHR & EMR Platform
September 10, 2023
Practice Medication Administration and Diagnostic Skills Patient Scenario for EMTs (Scenario #5)
Practice Medication Administration and Diagnostic Skills Patient Scenario for EMTs (Scenario #5)
September 9, 2023
Why Nursing Programs Need Educational EHRs For Clinicals, The Classroom, Simulation, And Homework
Why Nursing Programs Need Educational EHRs For Clinicals, The Classroom, Simulation, And Homework
September 4, 2023
Free Basic Life Support Practice for Students (Scenario #4)
Free Basic Life Support Practice for Students (Scenario #4)
September 1, 2023
Free Practice Scenario for all First Responder, BLS, First Aid, and EMT Students (Scenario #3)
Free Practice Scenario for all First Responder, BLS, First Aid, and EMT Students (Scenario #3)
August 28, 2023
Free Practice Scenario #2 for First Responder and EMT Students
Free Practice Scenario #2 for First Responder and EMT Students
August 18, 2023
Free Practice Scenario for Basic Life Support (BLS) and EMT students
Free Practice Scenario for Basic Life Support (BLS) and EMT students
August 12, 2023
Free Example Imaging: Empowering Radiography Techs, Nursing Students, Medical Students, and Educators
Free Example Imaging: Empowering Radiography Techs, Nursing Students, Medical Students, and Educators
July 5, 2023
EMS bundle for EMT programs including patient scenarios and digital run reports
EMS bundle for EMT programs including patient scenarios and digital run reports
July 2, 2023
Our EMT Med Guide and the people who made it possible
Our EMT Med Guide and the people who made it possible
June 21, 2023
New Book Available: BLS Provider Medication Guide for EMTs and First Responders
New Book Available: BLS Provider Medication Guide for EMTs and First Responders
June 18, 2023
Why Educators Should Consider Using an Academic EHR with Nursing Students
Why Educators Should Consider Using an Academic EHR with Nursing Students
June 2, 2023
Introducing a New Nursing Program Admissions Assessment
Introducing a New Nursing Program Admissions Assessment
May 23, 2023
Affordable Simulated EHR for Students: How ChartFlow Can Help with Healthcare Simulations
Affordable Simulated EHR for Students: How ChartFlow Can Help with Healthcare Simulations
May 21, 2023
Integrating ChartFlow’s Academic EHR to Improve Learning Outcomes in Physician Assistant Programs
Integrating ChartFlow’s Academic EHR to Improve Learning Outcomes in Physician Assistant Programs
April 29, 2023
How to Use an Educational EHR during IPE Simulations
How to Use an Educational EHR during IPE Simulations
April 20, 2023
We're excited to officially launch ChartFlow!
We're excited to officially launch ChartFlow!
March 23, 2023
ChartFlow & HealthEd Global: Doing Our Part to Help Lower Student Costs
ChartFlow & HealthEd Global: Doing Our Part to Help Lower Student Costs
March 1, 2023
5 Ways to Improve Nursing Students’ Digital Healthcare Skills
5 Ways to Improve Nursing Students’ Digital Healthcare Skills
February 13, 2023
Introducing: The ChartFlow YouTube Channel!
Introducing: The ChartFlow YouTube Channel!
February 10, 2023
Free Notion Templates for Nursing Students
Free Notion Templates for Nursing Students
February 7, 2023
The Top 5 Skills Every New CNA Needs to be Successful
The Top 5 Skills Every New CNA Needs to be Successful
January 29, 2023
Free Simulated EHR for Ponder - The Socratic Way
Free Simulated EHR for Ponder - The Socratic Way
January 20, 2023
We’re excited to see everyone at Arab Health 2023
We’re excited to see everyone at Arab Health 2023
January 17, 2023
5 Ways to Implement an Educational EHR into a Respiratory Therapy Curriculum
5 Ways to Implement an Educational EHR into a Respiratory Therapy Curriculum
January 10, 2023
Simulation Ideas for Allied Health Programs
Simulation Ideas for Allied Health Programs
January 7, 2023
