Comparing EHR and EMR platforms on the market

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) refer to the collection of patient medical data that is stored electronically. It allows for faster processing and retrieval of information, as opposed to handwritten and physically stored data. With continuous medical technology developments, EHR can be used effectively for healthcare businesses, with streamlined clinical documentation and business processes. Your clients can easily access and view their records, with only authorized personnel having the ability to look over the content. EHR is an efficient way to increase the productivity of your practice and elevate the quality of your healthcare services to prioritize patient needs.

Understanding the benefits of EMR in healthcare

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) refer to the electronic storage of medical records that contain patient information and data. EMRs manage a multitude of medical tasks, including patient visits, appointments, insurance claims, and health data. This may include medical history, doctor notes, laboratory results, diagnosis, treatment plans, immunization dates, and allergies. Having all of this information in one place means clinics can infer reimbursement charges from coding standards, and transparently document patient care. EMRs support a streamlined process for easy clinical documentation; allowing errors to be quickly and easily picked up, and simplifying the process of digitally transferring and sharing information when necessary. 

EMR and EHR share various commonalities and differences, and you may be wondering what they are. In some ways, they sound virtually the same, and to help clarify this, we have provided an outline of what constitutes EMRs and EHRs respectively. 

Similarities

• Both EMR and EHR are digital records that relay patient healthcare information. They both contain information pertaining to the health outcomes of the patient, with evidence to support their claims. 
• EMR and EHR both lower costs for practices by having more cost-effective and efficient processes that make business tasks easier to manage and control. 
• Both are electronic, in that they store online information similarly, and often involve encryption software. 
  

EMR

• In some ways, EMR is considered a digital version of a patient’s chart.
• EMRs contain patient medical history and treatment information from one practice. It normally stays within the doctor’s office and is not usually shared, meaning that if the patient were to move, the EMR will not follow.
• Oftentimes, EMR contains a snapshot of medical issues at one point in time.
  

EHR

• EHRs often follow the patient and are shared across healthcare providers.
• It is considered a master record, or an all-inclusive sheet, that contains medical history, test and lab results, x-rays, scans, medications, and demographics from across all practices and sessions. 
• Because of the wider range of data, EHRs can support informed decision-making when it comes to clinical outcomes, and provide more meaningful insight for doctors.

To help you decide on the right EHR and EMR software that will best suit your healthcare business needs, we have collated some of the key features that you should consider before selecting. 

• High workflow - Make sure that the software you choose can manage various aspects of patient care, and enables easy transmission of data across healthcare professionals and practices. Ideally, your EHR and EMR systems will be customizable and are able to be configured to your needs to facilitate a healthcare space that can promote success.
• Billing and coding - Having medical billing and coding practices, resources, and templates embedded into EHR software are highly advantageous. Accurate billing and coding mean insurance claims are more likely to be processed and accepted, leading to faster processing of funds.
• Compatibility - You need to ensure that the software you choose is compatible with the devices you own. Most EHR and EMR services are able to be used with laptops, mobile devices, and tablets, whilst also containing speech recognition and AI software to increase the quality of your practice. 
• Interoperability - The software you select should be able to be easily shared with other clinics and healthcare professionals. This way other practices can quickly understand a patient’s diagnosis, and EHR records can be leveraged at various points of care. 
• Low costs - Choosing software that suits the financial requirements of your healthcare practice is of utmost importance as it allows you to ensure your finances are managed well. EHR and EMR software can be initially expensive, but selecting one with a variety of useful features can ensure you make returns on your investment, which is key. ‍
• High staff engagement - Your software platform needs to engage staff with educational resources, a user-friendly interface, and a smooth business process that is easy to pick up. This way, your staff can be efficiently trained to handle various protocols and work in an agile way within the clinical environment. It may be a good idea to test the software and receive feedback from your staff to note whether it's the right choice for your healthcare practice.

There are various software applications that can help you establish efficient healthcare record systems, and evaluating them can be overwhelming. We have compiled a list of the leading options for you to choose from that will guarantee success for your practice, and greatly improve clinical outcomes.

• Carepatron - Used by thousands of healthcare professionals, Carepatron is one of the greatest healthcare platforms, designed to help you execute  high-quality record systems. From one place, you can schedule appointments, manage and store clinical documentation and notes with encrypted software, utilize streamlined video conferencing and messaging processes, as well as access a variety of medical billing and coding templates and resources. Carepatron offers excellent flexibility with plans and is created with your patient needs in mind, regardless of your discipline. 
• TherapyNotes - From $25USD per month, this app offers high-quality EHR systems such as a patient portal, medication management notes, appointment scheduling, and electronic claims and remittance services. As a highly trusted web application, TherapyNotes is a great option for mental health practitioners. 
• SimplePractice - For $39USD per month, you can effectively manage your appointment scheduling with streamlined reminders and documentation, as well as a clean client portal. Compatible with the mobile app, you can integrate telehealth aspects, with high-class customer service that supports seamless business processes. 
• TheraNest - As a web-based mental health software, TheraNest provides efficient note, billing, and scheduling organization for $39USD per month. This can be accessed across all Apple devices and supports businesses small and large, with video conferencing options to meet and treat patient needs.

Final thoughts

Despite how they seem, EHR and EMR systems serve vastly different purposes for healthcare businesses, and solidifying your knowledge can prove immensely beneficial for your practice. Selecting the right software can mean the difference between a positive and negative patient experience, so choosing the right platform that meets your business needs is vastly important. Healthcare businesses, such as Carepatron, can provide you with integrated features to help support growth and boost productivity within your practice. Prioritizing your patient needs through efficient medical record management will certainly drive your clinic’s success. 

Further reading:

• Comparison of Open-Source Electronic Health Record Systems Based on Functional and User Performance Criteria
• EMR vs EHR – What is the Difference