EHR vs EMR: What’s the Difference and Which One Do You Need?

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EHR vs EMR? 

You might have come across these terms as a healthcare provider or clinician, and there is a high chance that you have a general idea of what they mean. But it can get tricky when you have to decide which one to choose, and poor implementation can cause time as well as money loss (costing more than $1.5M). 

So, before you invest in the wrong system, let us walk you through what EHR and EMR are, what the difference between the two is, their benefits, the cost of development, and signs indicating which one might be best for you.

Just for starters, the EMR is implemented in a small system, whereas the EHR is implemented on a large scale. So let’s get begin!

EHR vs EMR: What is Electronic Medical Record (EMR)?

An electronic medical record (EMR) is a computer-based/digital version of the paper charts of the patients. It is used by healthcare providers to document patient care and is used by clinicians to store and manage patient information. EMRs typically include:

• Patient history
• Personal information
• Clinical notes
• Treatment plans
• Diagnoses
• Medications
• Test results

The EMRs have replaced the traditional paper-based medical records, allowing healthcare professionals to collect and manage data.

Some of the top benefits of EMRs for any healthcare organization are given below.

Benefits of Electronic Medical Records

The EMRs are typically useful in providing quick and easy access to patient records.

• Efficient Standardization

More efficient record keeping for doctor notes, lab results, and staff assessments.

• Easy Access

Ensures quick and easy access to patient records.

• Less Errors

Minimizes errors associated with misinterpreting transcription and handwriting.

• Access Control

The security and privacy features are baked into EMRs, ensuring that only authorized individuals have access.

The benefits of EMR highlight how the system functions in daily clinical operations, and now it is equally important to know its practical uses.

Uses of EMR

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are used widely in modern healthcare settings as they streamline patient data management and support clinical decision making. Some of the other top uses of EMRs are given below.

• EMRs help patients access their medical records.
• It automates manual tasks like billing.
• It assists in meeting healthcare regulatory standards.
• EMRs support analysis of trends and patterns in patient data.

EMRs have proved to be quite useful for the healthcare world, and if you are thinking of including EMRs in your system. Then make sure to have EMR with these essential features.

What Are the Critical Features of EMRs?

The EMRs are developed to streamline the healthcare workflow and enhance patient care by offering real-time access to patient data.

• Patient Tracking

This enables the healthcare professionals to track the entire flow of patients (from admission to discharge).

• E-Prescribing

EMRs can directly send prescriptions to pharmacies, minimizing the chance of errors and enhancing efficiency.

• Clinical Documentation

Ability to keep records about diagnoses, prescribed drugs, and treatment plans.

• Billing Integration

Automates the entire billing process to improve the financial performance. 

• Automatic Reminders

Capability to give automatic reminders for preventive practices or patient screening.

• Analytics and Reporting

Produce customized reports and help in predictive analysis important for decision making.

After taking a look at the key features that should be included in an EMR, let us tell you about its types.

Types of EMRs

Depending on their budget and use, the EMRs can be divided into two types:

• Physician Hosted

The EMR setup is hosted and managed within the hospital or clinic’s internal server.

• Remotely Hosted

These EMRs are managed and maintained off-site by third-party vendors, offering to reduce IT burden and easy access from multiple locations.

Knowing what you are getting is only half the decision; the price matters too, so let us tell you about the cost of EMRs.

Cost of EMR Development

The  EMR solution development can cost up to $10,000 to $25,000 (can vary depending on features). Whereas, the traditional on-premises EMR can cost up to $30,000 to $50,000, including the maintenance cost of $5,000 to $20,000 per year. 

Pro Tip: If you are low on budget and need a scalable, feature-rich solution, it’s best to consult healthcare software development experts for guidance. You can book a free consultation here with our experts.

Now you know all about EMRs, so it’s time to move towards EHRs 

EHR vs EMR: What is Electronic Health Record (EHR)?

An EHR or Electronic Health Record is an electronic version of a patient’s medical history. The providers manage it and may include administrative and clinical data related to a patient’s care (including demographics, medications, and progress notes, etc).  Due to multiple uses, its market has increased exponentially. 

Let’s look at some of the benefits that have made it one of the top choices of healthcare institutions.

Benefits of Electronic Health Records

The EHR systems offer complete information about patients, and some of the top advantages of the EHRs are given below:

• Quick Access

Provides instant access to patient records for more coordinated care.

• Secure Sharing

Offers secure sharing of patient history with clinicians and practitioners.

• Data Security

Stores data in encrypted formats, allowing access to authorized personnel.

• Reduce Errors

Decreases the incidence of medical errors by improving the clarity of medical records.

You can only leverage the full advantages of an EHR if it includes the essential features given below.

What are the Essential Features of EHRs?

Some of the crucial features that should be present in EHR are given below:

• Centralized Storage

Offers efficient data management about patient visit records, demographics, and medical history.

• E-Prescribing

Allows automatic electronic prescription transmission to pharmacies.

• Alerts & Recommendations

For safer and informed care, it offers alerts and recommendations.

• Interoperability

Provides options for secure data exchange between healthcare systems.

• Billing Integration

Allows efficient billing and insurance claims processes.

• Appointment Scheduling

Facilitates fixing patient appointments or marking calendars.

• Lab Integration

Ability to receive and manage lab test orders and results electronically.

• Patient Portals

Empowers patients to book appointments, view records, and communicate with doctors.

But every organization has varying needs, and depending on these needs, there are different types.

Types of EHR Software

There are two main types of EHR software, each designed to meet different needs and preferences in healthcare settings.

• On-Premise EHR Software

It is an on-premise system that is installed on the healthcare facility’s server and computers. This means the software and data are physically located on the premises.

• Cloud-based EHR systems

This type of EHR is hosted on remote servers and can be accessed through the internet. The data is stored off-site by a third-party provider and managed externally. It typically costs less than on-premises cloud and is best for small to large enterprises.

Now you have understood the types of EHR systems, so let us tell you how EHRs can elevate your everyday clinical practice.

Uses of EHRs

Some of the top uses of the EHRs are given below:

• Improves patient engagement through portals.
• Supports clinical decisions with real-time alerts.
• Allows secure data sharing for informed decision making.
• Assists in regulatory compliance and reporting needs.
• Tracks imaging and lab results efficiently.

The EHR systems are essential in improving patient care and workflow efficiency, so let us also tell you their cost. 

Cost of EHR Development

The average development cost of an EHR system can be $25-$80 per hour. So, as per the rough estimates, the web-based EHR platforms can range between $41,450 to $66,230. Whereas, a mobile EHR platform can cost up to $50,000 to $97,000. 

This range can vary depending on the needs of the solution, so the best thing you can do is consult experts. Let them know your needs and get the exact cost.

EHRs and EMRs are often confused with each other, but they are quite different in terms of their scope. To fully fathom these differences, we have prepared a short table below.

EMR vs EHR Difference

EMRs are limited to a single provider or clinic, focusing on internal records and treatment history, a key point in the EMR vs EHR comparison. Let’s see some of the key differences.

Feature	EHR	EMR
Scope	Includes all patients’ healthcare details across various healthcare providers and settings.	Focused on the medical history of the patient within a single organization.
Interoperability	Helps the patient’s healthcare data to be shared across various hospitals and providers.	Confined to the facility where it was created.
Data sharing	Allows secure data exchange between multiple healthcare providers.	Data sharing is restricted.
Purpose	Provides a detailed overview of patient healthcare across various environments.	Tracks and manages patient care within the specific provider.
Functionality	Covers a wide range of data, such as medical history, lab results, immunizations, and much more.	Primarily focuses on treatment plans, patient diagnosis, and notes related to patient care within a single practice.
Access	Facilitates patients’ to access data through online portals	Patient access to data is limited or unavailable.

Whilst the EMRs and EHRs have sharp differences yet they also share some similarities. Both systems help digitize healthcare records and improve the efficiency and quality of patient care.

EHR vs EMR: Similarities 

Understanding these similarities can help you comprehend their common goals so that you can make a better decision in terms of their implementation.

Aspects	Similarities
Digital Recordkeeping	EMRs and EHRs store patient data electronically.
Enhanced Efficiency	Streamline clinical workflows and reduce paperwork.
Integration	Can connect with lab, pharmacy, and billing systems.
Support	Offers tools to support better treatment decisions.
Access to data	Allows secure and quick access to patient data.
Regulatory Compliance	Help meet healthcare regulatory standards (HIPAA, etc).

Even after understanding the differences between the two, it can become difficult to choose the one that suits your organizational needs. So, to help you, we are highlighting some signs that can determine whether you need an EMR or EHR.

Signs You Need an EMR

If you are running a smaller facility with a focus on internal recordkeeping, then an EMR can be the right fit for you. Here are some more signs:

• You have a small medical practice, or you operate solo.
• You do not need to share patient data outside your facility.
• You are looking to digitize medical histories and patient charts.
• You want a simplified solution to handle your day-to-day tasks.

Now, let us tell you some indications pointing out that you need an EHR.

Signs You Need an EHR

If you are looking to collaborate with other facilities and providers, then EHR is a better choice. 

• You coordinate care with hospitals, specialists, or labs.
• You require secure access to patient records from multiple locations.
• You need built-in features like e-prescribing, etc.
• You want streamlined data exchange.
• You need advanced tools for reporting, analytics, and regulatory compliance. 

Although both EHRs and EMRs have their place depending on scope, there’s a growing perception in the healthcare industry that EHRs are replacing EMRs. Let’s see if this is the truth.

EHR vs EMR: The Shift from EMRs to EHRs

EMRs and EHRs enhance healthcare efficiency by providing valuable insights, allowing providers to prioritize each patient’s health across the healthcare ecosystem. However, recent technological advancements have increased the utility of EHRs over EMRs, as EHR systems enable better communication between healthcare providers and hospitals. In contrast, EMRs primarily cater to healthcare professionals’ needs at a more localized level, focusing on secure data storage and access within the institution. 

However, this does not mean that EMRs are obsolete, but choosing between EHR and EMR depends entirely on the needs of healthcare providers or hospitals.

Wrapping Up

Choosing between EMR vs EHR is all about understanding your needs, workflows, and long-term goals. Both systems indeed offer advantages, from enhancing patient care to streamlining operations. But the right choice is dependent upon budget, features, and your requirements.

Keeping all this in mind, we have explained their features, benefits, costs, and signs that can help you select the best one. If you need something simpler, then EMR is your way to go, and EHR is best if you are looking for high interoperability.

Still unsure? Then talk to our healthcare IT experts to know which system can streamline your operations within your budget.