What is the primary function of an electronic health record (EHR) system?

The primary function of an electronic health record (EHR) system is to digitally store patient health information. EHRs are designed to provide a comprehensive and centralized database of an individual patient's health history, including medical history, medications, allergies, lab results, and treatment plans. This digital storage allows healthcare providers to easily access, share, and manage patient information, which improves the quality of care and enhances communication among care team members.

Storing health information electronically enhances the ability to track patient data over time, provides more accurate and complete records, and supports clinical decision-making. It also helps in ensuring compliance with regulations related to patient health information, improves safety by decreasing errors related to lost or misfiled records, and aids in better population health management due to the ability to aggregate and analyze data across large groups of patients.

In contrast, managing financial transactions, facilitating patient billing, and creating marketing materials are not primary functions of an EHR system. While some EHR systems may include features that address financial aspects of healthcare, their main purpose remains the storage and management of patient health data.