What is the primary function of the Electronic Health Record (EHR)?

The primary function of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) is to store comprehensive patient information electronically. EHRs serve as digital versions of patients' paper charts and offer a broader view of a patient's care over time. They are designed to contain a patient's medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results, among other data.

The comprehensive nature of EHRs allows for improved coordination of care among healthcare providers and enhances the capability to make informed clinical decisions. By having detailed patient information readily accessible, EHRs contribute to better patient outcomes and help to streamline the delivery of healthcare.

While EHRs may support various other functions, such as facilitating telehealth services, aiding in medical billing, and contributing to hospital scheduling practices, these are secondary functions compared to their primary role in managing and storing patient data effectively.