Electronic Health Records and Occupational Data

A ll clinicians who care for workers should have access to the invaluable knowledge of a patient’s job duties and potential hazards. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) supports the secure collection and incorporation of data about a patient’s job duties, occupational hazards, and function in electronic health records (EHRs). In this article, the ACOEM proposes the criteria, which EHR systems should meet to effectively share occupational health information to optimize medical care and improve the health of American workers. We define EHRs as those used by primary care providers, hospitalists, and specialists, including Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) specialists who function as treating providers. We use the term occupational EHR (oEHR) to refer to specialized electronic records used uniquely in the course of OEM practice, most commonly for examinations and tests required by employers or government agencies. A later article will detail the standards and best practices for oEHRs. The United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) is a standardized set of health data classes and constituent data elements for nationwide, interoperable health information exchange. The most recent version of USCDI, Version 3, now incorporates industry and occupation as core data elements that