What does the term 'active user' mean in EHR systems?

The term 'active user' in Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems refers primarily to a healthcare professional who is regularly documenting information within the system. Active users engage with the EHR by updating patient records, entering new data, and maintaining the system's accuracy through their continuous interaction. This regular documentation is essential for ensuring that patient information is current and useful for ongoing care.

While other roles might interact with EHR systems, such as patients reviewing their own records or consultants reviewing data, they do not engage in the same level of ongoing documentation and daily use that healthcare professionals do. Thus, the definition of an active user is closely tied to the continuous, professional use of the system for recording clinical information, which supports patient care and contributes to the overall functionality and reliability of electronic health records.