What is an Electronic Health Record (EHR)?

An EHR is a digital, longitudinal record of a patient’s health information—demographics, diagnoses, medications, labs, imaging, clinical notes, and more—designed to be securely shared across authorized providers and care settings.

How is an EHR different from an EMR?

An EMR is the digital chart within a single practice. An EHR is broader and interoperable, supporting information exchange among multiple organizations to coordinate patient-centered care.

What are the key benefits of EHRs?

EHRs improve quality and safety with up-to-date information and decision support, reduce duplicate tests and paperwork, streamline workflows, and enable patient access via portals.

What are common challenges with EHR adoption?

Top challenges include interoperability gaps, cost and implementation effort, usability and workflow fit, data accuracy, and the need to protect privacy and security.

How do EHRs support interoperability?

Modern EHRs use standards such as HL7 and FHIR to structure and exchange data via secure APIs, enabling authorized systems to share information consistently.

Are EHRs secure and private?

Security relies on encryption, access controls, audit logs, and policies that follow applicable laws (e.g., HIPAA/GDPR). Providers must limit access to authorized users and monitor for misuse.

Who can access my EHR?

Only authorized users—such as your care team and organizations you consent to—may access your EHR for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, per law and policy.

How can patients view their health information?

Most EHRs offer patient portals that provide secure online access to visit summaries, labs, medications, and messaging, often with options to download or share records.

electronic health records (ehr)

What is an EHR? A Clear Guide to Electronic Health Records

A clear, plain-English guide to Electronic Health Records (EHRs): what they are, how they differ from EMRs, core features and benefits, key challenges, interoperability standards (HL7/FHIR), and the governance, privacy, and legal issues providers must manage.

John Constantine

24 Oct 2025 • 4 min read

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have become a cornerstone of modern healthcare, transforming how patient information is stored, accessed, and shared. But what exactly is an EHR, and why does it matter to patients, providers, and the broader healthcare system?

What is an EHR?

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s medical history, maintained over time by healthcare providers. Unlike traditional paper charts, EHRs collect and store a wide range of data, including:

Patient demographics

Medical history and diagnoses

Medications and allergies

Immunization records

Laboratory and radiology results

Clinical notes and treatment plans

Billing and insurance information

EHRs are designed to be shared across different healthcare settings, making it easier for authorized providers to access up-to-date information wherever a patient receives care.

EHR vs. EMR: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse EHRs with Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), but there are important distinctions:

EMR: A digital version of the paper chart in a single provider’s office. It contains the medical and treatment history of patients within one practice.

EHR: A more comprehensive, longitudinal record that can be shared across multiple healthcare providers and settings. EHRs support coordinated, patient-centered care.

Key Features and Components of EHR Systems

Modern EHR systems include several core components:

Patient Health Information: Centralized, detailed digital records.

Order Entry and Results: Electronic ordering of tests, medications, and procedures, with integrated results.

Clinical Decision Support: Tools to assist providers with evidence-based recommendations.

Secure Communication: Messaging and coordination among providers, labs, and pharmacies.

Patient Portals: Secure online access for patients to view their health information and communicate with providers.

Security and Privacy Controls: Robust measures to protect sensitive information.

Benefits of EHRs

EHRs offer a range of benefits for patients, providers, and the healthcare system:

Improved Quality of Care: Up-to-date and complete information supports better diagnosis and treatment.

Enhanced Safety: Reduces errors from illegible handwriting or incomplete records; built-in alerts for allergies or drug interactions.

Efficiency: Streamlines workflows, reduces duplication of tests, and minimizes paperwork.

Patient Engagement: Patients can access their records, track their health, and communicate with providers.

Data for Research and Public Health: Aggregated, anonymized data can help track disease trends and improve population health.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite their advantages, EHRs present some challenges:

Privacy and Security: Protecting sensitive health data from breaches or unauthorized access is critical.

Interoperability: Different EHR systems may not communicate seamlessly, creating barriers to information sharing.

Cost and Implementation: Initial setup, training, and ongoing maintenance can be expensive and time-consuming.

Usability: Poorly designed systems can increase administrative burden and contribute to provider burnout.

Data Accuracy: Errors in data entry or outdated information can affect care quality.

Standards and Interoperability

To address interoperability and data exchange, international standards such as HL7 and ISO 13606 have been developed. These frameworks help ensure that different systems can communicate securely and effectively, supporting better care coordination and patient outcomes.

The Future of EHRs

The adoption of EHRs continues to grow worldwide, with ongoing improvements focused on:

Enhanced interoperability between systems

Better user experience and workflow integration

Advanced analytics and artificial intelligence for clinical decision support

Stronger privacy and security protections

Increased patient access and engagement

As technology evolves, EHRs are poised to play an even greater role in delivering efficient, safe, and patient-centered healthcare.

Conclusion

EHRs are more than just digital charts—they are powerful tools that support better care, improve efficiency, and empower both patients and providers. While challenges remain, ongoing innovation and collaboration are paving the way for a more connected and effective healthcare system.

Let me know if you’d like to expand on any section, add specific use cases, or tailor the article for a particular audience!

Governance, Privacy, and Legal Issues 37 This topic explores the regulatory, privacy, and legal aspects of EHRs, such as data protection, patient consent, liability, and compliance with laws and standards edit the original draft to improve the score in this category

Certainly! To improve your coverage on “Governance, Privacy, and Legal Issues” related to EHRs, I recommend expanding your draft with a dedicated section that addresses regulatory frameworks, privacy protections, patient consent, legal liability, and compliance with relevant laws and standards. Here’s how you can enhance your draft:

Governance, Privacy, and Legal Issues in EHRs

The digital nature of EHRs brings unique governance, privacy, and legal considerations that are critical for both healthcare providers and patients.

Data Protection and Privacy

Safeguarding sensitive health information is a top priority in any EHR system. Healthcare organizations must implement robust security measures—such as encryption, access controls, and audit trails—to protect patient data from breaches or unauthorized access. Compliance with national and international regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, is essential to ensure data privacy and build patient trust.

Patients have the right to know how their health data is collected, used, and shared. EHR systems should provide clear mechanisms for obtaining patient consent before sharing information with other providers or third parties. Transparency about data practices helps patients make informed decisions and reinforces their control over personal health information.

Legal Liability

The use of EHRs introduces new dimensions of legal liability for healthcare providers. For example, improper documentation, unauthorized access, or system errors can lead to malpractice claims or regulatory penalties. Providers must be diligent in maintaining accurate records and following best practices for EHR use to minimize legal risks.

Compliance with Laws and Standards

Healthcare organizations must comply with a complex landscape of laws and standards that govern electronic health data. This includes:

National and regional privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR)

Industry standards for data exchange and interoperability (e.g., HL7, ISO 13606)

Requirements for data retention, breach notification, and patient access

Regular audits, staff training, and updated policies are necessary to stay compliant and adapt to evolving legal requirements.

The Role of Governance

Effective governance structures help ensure that EHR systems are managed responsibly. This includes establishing policies for data access, defining roles and responsibilities, and monitoring compliance with legal and ethical standards. Good governance supports both the security of patient data and the integrity of healthcare delivery.