New Regulations Outline Content, Transmission Standards for Every Americans’ Electronic Health Records

New regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Tuesday outline federal standards for the Electronic Health Records that every American must have by 2014 Among the content required for a complete EHR is an active medications list, vital signs, Body Mass Index (BMI) score, smoking status, comparative effectiveness data, lab test results, and insurance status. They must also record race, gender, and preferred language of patients, as well as send reminders to patients about follow-up visits and at-home care where applicable. A complete EHR must also include a list of all past health problems, their causes, and the procedures used to treat or cure them