An Overview of Electronic Health Records Physicians and other medical providers are in the process of converting paper health record systems (like the traditional medical chart you see your physician writing on when you go in for an office visit) to an electronic health record system (EHR). Many other industries, such as banking, have already made the transition to digital records.

Basically, electronic health records (EHR) are computerized versions of patients’ clinical, demographic and administrative data.  In electronic format, they house:

  • Treatment histories,
  • Medical test reports
  • Images
  • Other important information
These records can be accessed by designated healthcare professionals on a computer network.  In West Virginia, some physicians have implemented electronic health records systems.  
 
Providers with electronic health records can join health information exchanges (HIE). These networks give providers the ability to electronically transmit an individual’s health records. Eventually, a single health record can be developed for a person with multiple physicians.

These advancements will make the health care delivery system more efficient. The number of duplicated medical tests can be reduced. Patients with chronic medical conditions can be managed better. Similar to paper records, EHR are subject to state and federal privacy protections, such as HIPAA.



 

Data pad, doctors
What kind of health record does your doctor use?

There's an easy way for you to tell.  Does the doctor bring your paper medical chart into the exam room?  Or do they use a computer?  If they bring a computer, they probably are using an EHR.