The followingappeared a few days ago:
The 5 traits of a usable EMR
September06, 2011 | Michelle McNickle, Web Content Producer
Thereare several factors inhibiting EMR adoption, but the concept of usability isoften at the root, and rightfully so. Although effective training andimplementation methods affect user adoption rates as well, poor usability has astrong impact on productivity, error rate, and user satisfaction.
Andusability should be considered more than just user satisfaction, according toRosemarie Nelson, principal of the MGMA Consulting Group. The concept is farmore complex, and to Nelson, it’s synonymous with workflow integration. “Toomuch attention is given to the number of clicks and screens, when what shouldbe considered is how and when information is presented,” she said.
Dr.Steve Waldren, MD, Director of the American Academy of Family Physicians’Center for Health IT, explained that when it comes to understanding usability,it’s essential to consider utility as well. “Usability is subjective in manyways,” he said. “It has to do with the functionality of the system. Utility ismaking sure the system does the things you need it to do.”
Sowhat determines if an EMR is useable? Better yet, how can prospective usersensure a system won’t result in headaches over lost productivity? According toNelson, the first step is to recognize no system is perfect.
“Theproblem for most providers is they, nor their vendor implementation team, lookfor that commonsense template: the one that fits a majority of patient visits,not the ‘perfect’ template that allows visits for all patients to bedocumented. There is just too much variation to expect 100 percent.”
Withthat in mind, here are five additional elements to consider when it comes toEMR usability.
1.Supportiveness:
2.Flexibility:
3.Ease of Learning/ Naturalness:
4.Effectiveness:
5.Efficiency:
Onething is for certain when it comes to EMRs and their usability: it’s anevolution that’s essentially controlled by the user. “EMR usability must evolvesimilarly in that as we try to use it within our day, we can see whereimprovements can be made,” said Nelson.
The fullarticle is here with the 5 areas expanded and explained:
In a similarrelated vein when we move to implementation there are some tips:
The 7 Deadly Sins of EMR implementation
By Michelle McNickle, Web Content Producer
Created 09/07/2011
Congratulations!You've committed to an EMR, which is an accomplishment in itself. But thehardest part is still to come: getting it to work.
Fromfailing to plan to skipping out on training, many mistakes can be made duringthe implementation process. And although they may not be as juicy as wrath,envy or lust, the Seven Deadly Sins of EMR implementation could wreak just asmuch havoc.
SteveWaldren, MD, director of the American Academy of Family Physicians' Center forHealth IT, and Rosemarie Nelson, principal of the MGMA Consulting Group, gaveus the worst sins providers can commit during EMR implementation.
1.Not doing your homework:
2.Assuming the EMR is a magic bullet:
3.Not including nurses in the planning stages:
4.Not participating in training:
5.Thinking you can implement the same processes as paper:
6.Not asking for extra help:
7.Being short sighted:
Allthe points are expanded here:
There aresome highly relevant ideas contained in the details of all this for the PCEHR.Utility and accessibility will be just crucial. Having to access a portal on aseparate tab all the time just won’t cut it!
In thecontext of the newly released PCEHR ConOps for example note the sample screenfor the consolidated view of the PCEHR. The number of clicks / key strokes toaccess the contents looks to be enormous. See the picture on Page 58 (a mockupof the view) to note the absence of an ‘expand all function’ and the 11different buttons which may need to be looked under!
Someone needsto remind the NEHTA geniuses that the GPs and specialists will be using theirsystems day in and out - while most patients might use it once a month. Thedesign simply fails to grasp that fact.
Bothusability and carefully planned implementation are critical for success.
I hope theyare all reading closely.
David.
