Glossary of HIT-EHR Common Terminology

Electronic Health Record (EHR): Electronically stored and transmitted medical record that contains patient demographics, medical history, lab tests, X-rays, scans, prescription lists, and any other relevant information

Personal Health Record (PHR): A patient-managed electronic medical record

Health Information Exchange (HIE): Data transfer between separate healthcare entities in the same facility or across great distances

Telemedicine: The transfer of health information using telecommunications technology; it can be as simple as a general practitioner and specialist discussing a patient’s case on a secure line or as complex as remote procedures and examinations through digital imaging; has great promise in rural geographies

Electronic Prescribing (eRx): A tool that can electronically process and communicate the prescription of medication between providers and pharmacies; can be a stand-alone product or incorporated into an EHR system

Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE): This tool, most frequently used in a hospital setting, allows for the electronic ordering of medications and tests; was originally a stand-alone closed-system product, but can also be incorporated into an EHR system

Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO): A group of healthcare entities in the same geographic area, which agree upon a standardized electronic network in order to communicate health information

Source: Legislative Analyst’s Office, Promoting Health Information Technology in California, Feb. 2007