Key Definitions

The National Alliance for Health Information Technology (NAHIT) defined these terms:

Note: The NAHIT ceased operation on September 30, 2009.
Read their Report: Defining Key Health IT Terms

Health Record Terms

Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
An electronic record of health-related information on an individual that can be created, gathered, managed, and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff within one health care organization.
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
An electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed, and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more than one health care organization.
Personal Health Record (PHR)
An electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be drawn from multiple sources while being managed, shared, and controlled by the individual.

Health Newtwork Terms

Health information exchange (HIE)
The electronic movement of health-related information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards.
Health Information Organization (HIO)
An organization that oversees and governs the exchange of health-related information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards.
Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO)
A health information organization that brings together health care stakeholders within a defined geographic area and governs health information exchange among them for the purpose of improving health and care in that community.