NIST seeks input on EHR usability draft
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a draft document outlining technical evaluation, testing and validation of the usability of EHRs. The document—open for public comment until Nov. 10—presents a three step process for design evaluation and human user performance testing for an EHR.
“There is a sentiment among clinical users that EHRs are harder to use than they need to be and can introduce ‘use error’ that could have potential negative implications on patient care,” report authors wrote. “This document centers on improving user performance of EHRs through system developer demonstration of application of human factors best practices and user-centered design principles.”
The three step process includes usability and human factors analysis during user interface development, expert review and analysis of the user interface and testing of the EHR user interface with users.
Addressing potential usability issues, some examples reported by healthcare workers include: workflows that do not match clinical processes, poorly designed EHR screens, and large numbers of files that are difficult to search, navigate, read and identify trends over time, among others, noted report authors.
“All of these contribute to frustration and fatigue, and ultimately impact patient care, but what does it mean to have a ‘usable’ application? How can we make EHRs easier to use? The EHR Usability Protocol (EUP) emphasis should be on ensuring that necessary and sufficient usability validation and remediation has been conducted so that use error is minimized.”
Improving the usability is expected to enhance the adoption of EHRs, increase efficiency of use, and reduce user frustration, costs and disruptions in workflow, according to NIST. “EHRs offer great promise for improving healthcare processes and outcomes, including increased patient safety. As with any health information technology, usability problems that can adversely impact patient safety with EHRs can be assessed, understood and controlled.”
Click here for the draft document.
“There is a sentiment among clinical users that EHRs are harder to use than they need to be and can introduce ‘use error’ that could have potential negative implications on patient care,” report authors wrote. “This document centers on improving user performance of EHRs through system developer demonstration of application of human factors best practices and user-centered design principles.”
The three step process includes usability and human factors analysis during user interface development, expert review and analysis of the user interface and testing of the EHR user interface with users.
Addressing potential usability issues, some examples reported by healthcare workers include: workflows that do not match clinical processes, poorly designed EHR screens, and large numbers of files that are difficult to search, navigate, read and identify trends over time, among others, noted report authors.
“All of these contribute to frustration and fatigue, and ultimately impact patient care, but what does it mean to have a ‘usable’ application? How can we make EHRs easier to use? The EHR Usability Protocol (EUP) emphasis should be on ensuring that necessary and sufficient usability validation and remediation has been conducted so that use error is minimized.”
Improving the usability is expected to enhance the adoption of EHRs, increase efficiency of use, and reduce user frustration, costs and disruptions in workflow, according to NIST. “EHRs offer great promise for improving healthcare processes and outcomes, including increased patient safety. As with any health information technology, usability problems that can adversely impact patient safety with EHRs can be assessed, understood and controlled.”
Click here for the draft document.