The following
appeared a few days ago:
The 5 traits of a usable EMR
September
06, 2011 | Michelle McNickle, Web Content Producer
There
are several factors inhibiting EMR adoption, but the concept of usability is
often at the root, and rightfully so. Although effective training and
implementation methods affect user adoption rates as well, poor usability has a
strong impact on productivity, error rate, and user satisfaction.
And
usability should be considered more than just user satisfaction, according to
Rosemarie Nelson, principal of the MGMA Consulting Group. The concept is far
more complex, and to Nelson, it’s synonymous with workflow integration. “Too
much attention is given to the number of clicks and screens, when what should
be 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 many
ways,” he said. “It has to do with the functionality of the system. Utility is
making sure the system does the things you need it to do.”
So
what determines if an EMR is useable? Better yet, how can prospective users
ensure a system won’t result in headaches over lost productivity? According to
Nelson, the first step is to recognize no system is perfect.
“The
problem for most providers is they, nor their vendor implementation team, look
for that commonsense template: the one that fits a majority of patient visits,
not the ‘perfect’ template that allows visits for all patients to be
documented. There is just too much variation to expect 100 percent.”
With
that in mind, here are five additional elements to consider when it comes to
EMR usability.
1.
Supportiveness:
2.
Flexibility:
3.
Ease of Learning/ Naturalness:
4.
Effectiveness:
5.
Efficiency:
One
thing is for certain when it comes to EMRs and their usability: it’s an
evolution that’s essentially controlled by the user. “EMR usability must evolve
similarly in that as we try to use it within our day, we can see where
improvements can be made,” said Nelson.
The full
article is here with the 5 areas expanded and explained:
In a similar
related 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 the
hardest part is still to come: getting it to work.
From
failing to plan to skipping out on training, many mistakes can be made during
the 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 as
much havoc.
Steve
Waldren, MD, director of the American Academy of Family Physicians' Center for
Health IT, and Rosemarie Nelson, principal of the MGMA Consulting Group, gave
us 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:
All
the points are expanded here:
There are
some 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 a
separate tab all the time just won’t cut it!
In the
context of the newly released PCEHR ConOps for example note the sample screen
for the consolidated view of the PCEHR. The number of clicks / key strokes to
access the contents looks to be enormous. See the picture on Page 58 (a mockup
of the view) to note the absence of an ‘expand all function’ and the 11
different buttons which may need to be looked under!
Someone needs
to remind the NEHTA geniuses that the GPs and specialists will be using their
systems day in and out - while most patients might use it once a month. The
design simply fails to grasp that fact.
Both
usability and carefully planned implementation are critical for success.
I hope they
are all reading closely.
David.
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