ONC Fact Sheet: Electronic Health Records: Advancing America’s Health Care
Published by ONC on 12/3/2010.

The nation is entering a new era of health care where providers can use electronic health records to improve patients’ health and the way health care is delivered in this country.

Why Electronic Health Records?
Electronic health records make it possible for health care providers to better manage your care through secure use and sharing of health information.

Most health care providers still use paper charts for their patients’ medical records. New government programs are helping health care providers across the country make the switch to electronic health records.

With the help of electronic health records, your health care providers will have:

• Accurate and complete information about your health. That way they can give you the best possible care, whether during a routine visit or a medical emergency.
• The ability to better coordinate the care they give to you and your family. This is especially important if you or a loved one has a serious medical condition.
• A way to securely share information with you electronically. This means you can more fully take part in decisions about your health and the health of your family.
• Information to help diagnose your health problems sooner, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care at lower costs.

Use of electronic health records can also:

• Expand your access to affordable care
• Make our health care system more efficient
• Build a healthier future for our nation

About the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 
To support the use of electronic health records, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides resources to:

• Help health care providers across the country use electronic health records to increase quality, safety, and efficiency of health care.
• Train thousands of people for careers in health information technology who will help health care providers implement electronic health records.
• Assist states in creating health information exchanges for the secure and efficient exchange of patients’ electronic health records among health care providers.

These resources give Americans the tools they need to transform the nation’s health care system.

For More Information About:
How health IT is improving health care, visit healthit.hhs.gov

Download Electronic Health Records: Advancing America’s Health Care [PDF - 371 KB]