Answer ID 288   |    Published 10/18/2006 08:33 AM   |    Updated 04/14/2010 11:32 AM

 The electronic health record (EHR) can make complete medical information about a patient available to the clinician at the point of care, without the patient having to fill out unnecessary forms or remember the details of his or her medical history. Typically, the EHR would include information on the patient's medication and immunization history, laboratory results, radiographs, family history, and other medical history.

The EHR will play a key role in improving care for people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, who frequently see multiple providers, including specialists. An EHR would make important information about patients available to all their clinicians, so that clinicians can coordinate care without duplicative or conflicting actions.

Ultimately, the EHR will allow clinicians to spend more time caring for their patients, instead of conducting lengthy and sometimes frustrating searches for the information they need to provide good care. In a fully networked system, a patient's record would be immediately available in an emergency, no matter where the emergency occurs.

Print