ASTM Continuity of Care Record (CCR)

CCR is an XML-based standard used for clinical data exchange which was developed by ASTM International. CCR provides a "snapshot" of treatment and basic patient information – it is not comprehensive like an EHR. Its primary function is to ease the transition of a patient from one provider to the next.

The information included in the record focuses on the diagnosis and reason for referral rather than symptoms and treatment chronology. It may include information from only a single provider visit or may be more extensive to include data from multiple visits. The amount of information included varies by provider and patient.

CCR is a concise standard that uses a defined set of core data and is based on XML. CCR uses only specified XML code. It does not support/allow narrative text (free-text) which can sometimes be hindering to physicians, and it is not electronically acceptable by all systems.

CCR was intended to remain neutral with technology and so can be transmitted electronically or on paper. Therefore the patient can manually carry the CCR to the referring physician’s office, if desired – a characteristic that is advantageous when no connectivity exists.