What is the primary purpose of electronic health records (EHR) in medical digital workflows?

The primary purpose of electronic health records (EHR) in medical digital workflows is to store, manage, and share patient health information digitally. EHRs serve as comprehensive systems that integrate patient data, including medical history, treatment plans, medications, immunization records, lab results, and radiology images. By digitizing this information, EHRs enhance accessibility and efficiency for healthcare providers, allowing them to quickly access and update patient information from various locations and devices. This centralization also facilitates better communication and coordination among different healthcare professionals involved in a patient’s care.

The capabilities of EHRs extend beyond mere storage, as they are designed to manage patient data in a way that supports clinical decision-making, improves patient safety, and enhances the quality of care. Additionally, they enable healthcare providers to share critical patient information with other providers and institutions seamlessly, which is crucial for continuity of care and informed treatment decisions.

While telehealth services, billing automation, and support for research are important components of the broader healthcare digital landscape, they are secondary functions compared to the core role of EHRs in managing and sharing patient health information. Therefore, the emphasis on EHRs as the primary repository and management tool for patient data underscores their essential function in facilitating efficient