What are Electronic Health Records?

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is all your health information savedin your health care provider’s computer. Everything that was written down before now goes into the EHR.

Over the next few years, many health care providers in New Jersey will start using computers in their office to keep your health information such as:

• Notes about your medical exams
• Instructions for you
• Your allergies
• Your X-ray results
• Your prescriptions
• Lab tests

All your medical information is in one place – in your EHR.

This makes it easier for your health care provider to remember all of the services needed to keep you healthy, such as, when you need immunizations or a mammogram. EHRs can also make the following quicker and easier: Scheduling an appointment, billing, obtaining a referral and requesting a prescription refill.

Electronic Health Records keep your health information safe and confidential (private).
You decide who gets to see your information.

• EHRs are “locked”. They can only be seen with a special password. This helps keep your health information private.
• EHRs have many security settings.Only certain people – such as your health care provider – can see all your health information. Office staff may only be able to see information such as your name, birth date and address.
• Whether or not your health care provider uses EHRs, you sign a consent form if you want to share your information. Ask your health care provider for a copy of your consent form and an explanation of what it means.
• Private notes can be made in EHRs that only your health care provider can view. You can say, “I do not want anyone else in the practice but you to see this information. Please keep this information in a secure note that only you can read.”

Electronic health records help your health care provider take better care of you and help you take an active role in your health care.

• Ask to see the computer screen. “Can I see what you are doing?”
• Ask for a print-out of helpful information. EHRs can print a summary of your visit as well as a schedule of recommended preventive services such as a flu shot, cholesterol test or a mammogram.
• Always give your health care providers and staff complete information. It may save your life.
• If you go to the emergency department, tell the emergency room staff your health care provider uses an EHR. You can say, “My health care provider has an EHR. Call him or her to get my health information..”

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