Which statement correctly describes an EHR?

Which statement correctly describes an EHR?

• A. It is stored on a local computer only.
• B. It is not accessible by patients.
• C. It contains a patient's lifelong medical records, is accessible via the internet, and can be transferred to other providers.
• D. It cannot be shared or transferred.

Answer: (C)

An EHR is a digital, comprehensive file that holds a patient’s health history across different care settings. It includes diagnoses, medications, immunizations, lab results, imaging, procedures, and clinician notes, and is designed to be accessed by authorized users wherever care occurs. Because it’s electronic and standardized, it can be accessed over secure networks and often through patient portals, allowing patients to view parts of their records and clinicians to retrieve and share data quickly. The main goal is continuity of care, so the record can be transferred to other providers or organizations through interoperable data exchanges during referrals or care transitions. This is why storing only on a single local computer, being inaccessible to patients, or being non-transferable would not describe an EHR.

An EHR is a digital, comprehensive file that holds a patient’s health history across different care settings. It includes diagnoses, medications, immunizations, lab results, imaging, procedures, and clinician notes, and is designed to be accessed by authorized users wherever care occurs. Because it’s electronic and standardized, it can be accessed over secure networks and often through patient portals, allowing patients to view parts of their records and clinicians to retrieve and share data quickly. The main goal is continuity of care, so the record can be transferred to other providers or organizations through interoperable data exchanges during referrals or care transitions. This is why storing only on a single local computer, being inaccessible to patients, or being non-transferable would not describe an EHR.