PDF/H - Definitions & Acronyms
It would be useful to have a common understanding of selected key terms across the PDF/H team. here are some suggested initial definitions, but these are most clearly subject to amendment by the group. At a minimum, I'd like to establish some level on concurrence on the scope, control, format, and the interrelationship of the following:
EHR -- electronic health record: This is (appears to be) the legal copy of record for a health care provider (e.g., physician, hospital, lab) all or part of which can be shared with other health care providers, payers, or regulators. The EHR is owned by the health care provider. It is in an electronic, hopefully human-readable, exchange format. Exchange of EHR information requires some mechanism, whether process or technically based, to maintain linkage to its source, and integrity of the associated content. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EHR
eMR -- electronic medical record: This is (appears to be) the component elements of the EHR maintained within the medical records databases and systems internal to a care provider organization. The eMR is controlled by and within an information technology (IT) system. It is an electronic, machine readable format. The eMR feeds the EHR. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_medical_record
PHR -- personal health record: This is (appears to be) a facsimile summary copy of the health history for a specific person. The PHR is controlled either by the specific associated person, or that person’s legal guardian or designee. The PHR has no legal status as far as health care providers are concerned unless an associated means exists to also vouch for the source and integrity of the information in the record. The PHR is fed by multiple EHRs and by the person themself (or their legal guardian or designee as appropriate). It is in electronic, human-readable format. See http://www.informatics-review.com/wiki/index.php/PHR_Definition
