AHIMA's definition of a PHR

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

AHIMA issues standard definition for personal health record

The American Health Information Management Association today released a standard definition of a personal health record and its minimum recommended data elements in an effort to speed their adoption. According to the definition, "The personal health record is an electronic, universally available, lifelong resource of health information needed by individuals to make health decisions. Individuals own and manage the information in the PHR, which comes from health care providers and the individual. The PHR is maintained in a secure and private environment, with the individual determining rights of access. The PHR is separate from and does not replace the legal record of any provider." AHIMA said a standardized PHR must include common data elements to ensure its interoperability among different care settings and health care providers. Categories of common data elements suggested by the association include personal demographic information, general medical information, allergies and drug sensitivities, conditions, hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, immunizations, clinical tests and pregnancy history.