A hosted EMR/EHR means that you effectively lease the software licenses and hardware on a subscription basis from a service provider.  A hosted EMR often requires a smaller initial investment as there is no new equipment to purchase.  On the other hand, a hosted solution requires an internet connection, so is susceptible to down-time due to internet outages.  A dedicated internet connection (such as a T-1) is essential.  Because data is transferred across the internet, a hosted system is often slower than a non-hosted system.

A non-hosted EMR/EHR (also called “in-house”) is one that you purchase up-front.  You own the software licenses and hardware.  Outside of upgrades and maintenance, there are no recurring costs.  The investment is obviously greater initially, but over time it can be more cost effective than leasing.  In-house systems do not require internet connections and will continue to function during internet outages.  Because everything is in-house, the speed and performance is usually greater than with a hosted application.  Also because all of the data is in-house, you are responsible for ensuring that all of your data is properly backed up in case of the need for disaster recovery.

Yes.  In addition to systems that run natively on a MAC, there are options for accessing systems using a Remote Desktop Connection.

That depends.  A hosted system requires an internet connection to function.  Minimum requirements will vary based on the system; generally the faster the better.  A non-hosted system does not require an internet connection.

There are many EMR/EHR solutions that can run on hardware that is in the range of 1 to 2 years old.  This will ultimately depend on what you currently own and what EMR/EHR system you choose.

That depends.  A hosted system does not require an in-house system; a non-hosted system does.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems.  It is important that you work with a trusted vendor to ensure that you fully understand your options, their advantages, and are able to make the decision that is best for your practice.  

An integrated EMR/EHR refers to a system that seamlessly integrates a PM solution with an EMR/EHR.  This is often referred to as a “single database”.  The benefit of an integrated solution is that you don’t have to depend on two separate systems to manage your client data and practice management or a third-party system to integrate two separate systems.  This represents a major advantage over non-integrated applications that commonly employ two dissimilar codebase languages and two dissimilar database platforms, requiring a dedicated interface engine for real time workflow requirements.

SQL or Structured Query Language is a standard language for making interactive queries from and updating a database.  It is the computer code that communicates with the database.

A database (DB) is a storage unit for data.  It is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. There are many different databases available including Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, and DB2.

ASP is an Application Service Provider, also are referred to as Saas (Software as a Service) or Web-Based.  When used in reference to an EMR/EHR these three terms (ASP, Web-Based, and Saas) are interchangeable and refer to a hosted service.