IntroductionObserving a physician in Haymarket, Virginia, I remember first encountering a practice using an electronic medical record system. Before this experience, I always went to health clinics that had paper medical records. When the doctor I was shadowing was on her laptop, I asked her what software she was using. She replied, “It’s an EMR system. Basically, it contains all of our patient records, we can easily send prescriptions to pharmacies, see when our patients are arriving, and much more! I was surprised by the DME system because I had never heard of it before and was so intrigued by its capabilities. But what is an EMR specifically? Electronic medical record (EMR) software is a computer application that helps manage the clinical, financial and administrative tasks of a healthcare organization (New Wave Enterprises LLC). The purpose of EMRs is to reduce workload and maintain high work efficiency (New Wave Enterprises LLC). In more detail, EMRs are installed on a central server and can then connect via a network to computers, laptops, tablets and PDAs (New Wave Enterprises LLC). EMR software “integrates with the organization's existing billing software and allows the caregiver to view the patient's check-in/check-out routine, submit CPT/ICD information to the billing software, assist the caregiver in decision making by suggesting treatment plan recommendations, and generating reports” (New Wave Enterprises LLC). Examples of popular EMR software companies include Logician EMR, Medinotes, Greenway, Visionary MD, Medcomsoft, and Mysis EMR (New Wave Enterprises LLC).ARRA and HITECH ActThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law by President Obama in order to relaunch the ...... middle of paper ....... Ophthalmology web. Retrieved from http://www.ophthalmologyweb.com/Spotlight.aspx? spid=23&aid=367New Wave Enterprises LLC. (ND). EMR Software Reviews. Nouvelle Vague Enterprises LLC. Retrieved from http://www.healthtechnologyreview.com/emr-software.phpSpring, Manda. (ND). Advantages and disadvantages of EMR. Bright center. Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/health/technology/articles/7402.aspxU.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (ND). Interim final rule implementing the HITECH Act. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/administrative/enforcementrule/hitechenforcementifr.htmlWashington Times. (2009). Questions about the computerization of health records. Washington Times. Retrieved from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/24/questions-on-computerizing-health-records/