Private providers and practices face ongoing pressure to deliver exceptional care, comply with regulatory standards, and increase revenue without compromising either. To stay afloat, you need efficient and consistent workflows throughout your practice. However, efficiency is difficult to achieve if you're struggling with paper charting or an unreliable electronic record system.

Implementing or upgrading a patient electronic medical record (EMR) system can unlock the tools your practice needs to keep up with the pressures of modern healthcare. Private healthcare providers and practices can use this comprehensive guide to learn about all aspects of electronic medical records, including features, benefits, legal concerns, selecting a platform, and more.

"EMR" stands for "electronic medical record." It refers to a digital version of a patient's medical chart. 

An EMR is a digital file kept by a healthcare organization that contains a patient's health-related information. EMRs include the same information as paper charts, such as clinical notes, diagnoses, medications, and medical history. Many EMRs offer increased accuracy and flexibility over paper records by incorporating clinical summaries, data tracking, and medication reconciliation.

Electronic medical records (EMRs) and electronic health records (EHRs) are the foundation of modern healthcare management, offering improvements to traditional paper records. Still, they serve distinct functions within the healthcare ecosystem. 

EMRs are a digital version of a patient's chart contained within a single healthcare organization. Only internal staff can access or modify an EMR. EHRs take the concept of EMRs further and are designed to be accessed and updated by healthcare providers across different organizations.

While both EMRs and EHRs contain clinical data, notes from patient encounters, and financial and insurance information, the key distinction lies in their scope and accessibility. EHRs offer broader access to patient data across multiple healthcare settings, enabling a more holistic view of a patient's health history and facilitating coordinated care among different providers.

Here's an EHR vs EMR comparison: 

Modern EMR systems offer a wide range of features that streamline practice operations and improve patient care. Here are the essential features to look for in an EMR system:

Advanced information technology features support interoperability and compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring secure data exchange and adherence to healthcare industry requirements.

Using an EMR effectively means integrating it smoothly into patient visits and your team's technological workflows. Here are tips to consider when implementing EMRs.

When using EMRs, the technology shouldn't interrupt the provider-patient connection.

Naturally, you may need to look at the screen at times. However, be mindful to make eye contact at key moments in the visit. During initial greetings, sensitive discussions, and closing remarks, your patient should always have your full attention. Turn to your screen and enter relevant information after they've finished speaking. 

Features like Tebra's AI Note Assist transcribes patient conversations in real time, turning them into structured, HIPAA-compliant clinical documentation.

Tell your patients what you’re doing when you’re focused on the screen. This makes them feel included, even when your eyes aren’t directly on them. For example, “I’m making a note here that this is a new symptom,” or “I’m just taking a look at your previous lab work.” 

Show patients their data, trends, and results to foster engagement and confidence.

Keep these technological tips in mind to help you get the most out of your EMR system.

Look for an EMR vendor that offers training, and ensure it's comprehensive and tailored to different roles. Make sure to implement training into your staff's workdays so they have dedicated time to learn the new technology and processes.

In addition to implementing tools like AI scribes, take the time to set up customizable templates and smart shortcuts. The payoff isn’t just less screen time during appointments — it can also help reduce after-hours charting. 

Review notes or enter routine data outside of the encounter to make time for meaningful patient interaction.

Tebra is an all-in-one platform that has EMR features, but is considered an EHR crafted specifically for small and medium healthcare practices. It offers a range of scalability, from new, single-provider businesses through seasoned, multi-provider practices. Tebra’s customizable features adapt to individual workflows, reducing administrative burden and boosting efficiency across departments while supporting high-quality care.

With Tebra, smaller practices can start with a basic solution tailored to their needs, without getting locked into a hospital-sized EHR. Tebra offers dashboards, reporting, and analytics tools that grow with you. Customizations in workflows, including billing, front desk, and charting, keep your practice running smoothly without requiring a disruptive platform change whenever your needs shift.

Electronic medical records are an essential component of modern healthcare, and offer solutions to improve patient care, streamline workflows, and support practice management. While challenges may arise, the long-term benefits of adopting an EMR system far outweigh the initial hurdles. EMRs enhance access to patient medical history, automate critical processes, and enable better decision-making for care providers.

Integrating information technology into healthcare is necessary for delivering quality care in today's rapidly evolving healthcare industry. Unlock your practice's full potential by carefully selecting the right EMR system and addressing potential barriers with proactive strategies.

Discover how Tebra's innovative EMR solutions can enhance your practice, streamline operations, and elevate patient care.

Q: What is EMR in medical terms?

A: An electronic medical record (EMR) is a digital record used internally by a healthcare practice. It’s a digital version of a patient's medical chart, containing information like clinical notes, medical history, diagnoses, and medications.

Q: What is the difference between EMR and an EHR?

A: An EMR can only be viewed or modified by a single provider, practice, or clinic. An EHR is digitally available across multiple providers, practices, and organizations, and providers from all these entities can view or modify a patient’s record. 

Q: Is an EMR easy to learn?

A: How easy a new EMR is to learn depends on the platform. Some systems are more intuitive than others. Choosing a vendor that offers robust training for you and your staff will make learning an EMR easier.