Word of the Day: EHR

Electronic health record (EHR): A secure, real-time, interoperable point-of-care, patient-centric information resource for clinicians. The EHR aids clinicians in decision making by providing access to patient health record information where and when they need it and by incorporating evidence-based decision support. The EHR automates and streamlines the clinicians’ workflow, closing loops in communication and response that result in delays or gaps in care. The EHR also supports the collection of data for uses other than direct clinical care, such as billing, quality management, outcomes reporting, resource planning, and public health disease surveillance and reporting.