What is EMR - Electronic Medical Record?

What is EMR - Electronic Medical Record?

An electronic medical record is usually a computerized legal medical record created in an organization that delivers care, such as a hospital and doctor's surgery. Electronic medical records tend to be a part of a local stand-alone health information system that allows storage, retrieval and manipulation of records.


Technical Features

Using an EMR to read and write a patient's record is not only possible through a workstation but depending on the type of system and health care settings may also be possible through mobile devices that are handwriting capable. Electronic Medical Records may include access to Personal Health Records (PHR) which makes individual notes from a EMR readily visible and accessible for consumers.

Technical Standards
Though there are few standards for modern day EMR systems as a whole, there are many standards relating to specific aspects of EMRs. These include:


XML - a document format allowing easy interoperability.
HL7 - messages format for interchange between different record systems and practice management systems.
ANSI X12 (EDI) - A set of transaction protocols used in the US for transmitting virtually any aspect of patient data.
CEN - CONTSYS (EN 13940), a system of concepts to support continuity of care.
CEN - EHRcom (EN 13606), a standard for the communication of information from EHR systems.
CEN - HISA (EN 12967), a services standard for inter-system communication in a clinical information environment.
DICOM - a standard for representing and communicating radiology images and reporting