Properly collecting, managing, and tracking student information is crucial for success in independent and public schools alike. It is vital that schools have quick access to all of the necessary and up-to-date information on their students. Most schools have a Student Information System (SIS) in place, but overlook the need for a Student Health Record (SHR) system.

A Student Information System (SIS) is a student data management system for schools. It covers administrative needs such as scheduling, attendance, state reporting, data management, faculty management, and class registration. It also offers the ability for parents to log in and view student grades, transcripts, billing, and payments.

Student Information Systems cover a broad range of needs for schools leading many people to believe they don’t need any other type of a student management system. However, the main feature an SIS lacks is a comprehensive solution to meet the daily needs of school health centers and athletic departments. Even those information systems that do feature a health suite, generally only cover a very basic range of areas. That’s where a Student Health Record (SHR) system comes in!

A Student Health Record (SHR) system is the digital version of the paper health record that contains a full account of a student’s health history. This can include allergy action plans, concussion documentation, immunization records, emergency information, and consent to treat forms. Beginning its journey in the medical world, SHR solutions are now making their way into schools to the point where HIPAA and FERPA guidelines suggest that they are now a school’s best weapon against compliance and liability risks. Any system containing Personal Health Information (PHI) must abide by the guidelines set forth by HIPAA. This means they have to participate in annual audits, pen testing, etc. An SIS system may not be required to undergo such rigorous security checks.

So what’s the real difference between an SIS and an SHR?
The question most frequently asked is what are the differences between these two types of systems, and why should schools obtain an SHR when they already have an SIS? We’ve laid out the features and functionality of both to draw an easy comparison.

Schools who integrate their SIS with an SHR get the best of both worlds and save both time and money! Utilizing both systems to manage student data allows schools to sync information from one system to the other allowing all stored data to be up to date and in real-time. All parent and student demographic information such as addresses, contact information, and phone numbers are updated through the SIS and SHR integration.

Another huge benefit is that parents can supply an array of required student health information into the secure parent portal, and not have to repeatedly fill out the same forms  each year. Parents have Single-Sign-On (SSO) capability, which means they only need one login (no more forgotten passwords!) and can access the SHR from anywhere using any smart device. Integrating an SHR with your school’s SIS overall creates a more enjoyable experience for both your staff and parents – everyone benefits!

Connect your school’s system to improve your student information management process.