What is the primary role of an EHR (Electronic Health Record)?

The primary role of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is to electronically store and manage patient information. EHRs are designed to compile comprehensive patient data, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, test results, and more, all in a digital format. This centralization of information enhances accessibility for healthcare providers, improves continuity of care, and facilitates coordinated treatment across different settings.

By electronically managing patient information, EHRs also improve patient safety, as they reduce the likelihood of errors associated with paper records. They allow for easier tracking of data over time, which can aid in identifying trends in a patient’s health. Although other functions, such as facilitating billing processes or providing alerts for medical emergencies, are important features associated with using EHRs, they are secondary to the primary function of storing and managing patient information. This foundational capability is critical to achieving the goals of efficient healthcare delivery and quality patient care.