What does EHR stand for in healthcare technology?

EHR stands for Electronic Health Record, which is a digital version of a patient's paper chart. It is an essential component of healthcare technology as it provides a comprehensive and real-time view of a patient's health history, including diagnoses, treatments, medications, allergies, lab results, and more. EHRs facilitate the sharing of patient information among healthcare providers, improving the coordination of care and enhancing clinical decision-making.

The designation of Electronic Health Record emphasizes both the electronic nature of these records—advocating for reduced reliance on paper-based information—and the focus on patient health data. This terminology has gained widespread acceptance and usage in healthcare, aligning with the industry's shift towards digitization and data-driven practices to improve patient care outcomes.