Usability in HIT refers to the success, efficiency, and satisfaction with which specific users can attain a particular set of tasks in a specific environment. However, poor usability results in errors and challenges, which are attributed to patient harm (Ratwani et al., 2019). Usability challenges that I encountered as a clinical administrator during the implementation of the EMR in the medical center include a complicated user interface (Ball et al., 2011). There was also inadequate online assistance to help the clinicians and a poorly designed command menu that could not account for the use of short-cut keys for experienced end-users.
The complicated user interface was caused by the system developers failing to consider the design specifications provided by the end-users. Besides, the inadequate use of online assistance by clinicians was due to a lack of comprehensive training on the use of online tools present in the HIT system (Ratwani et al., 2019). The poorly designed command menu was due to the developers failing to predict the potential challenge when designing the EMR system. The challenges were a result of both poor design and implementation. Issues in the system design include the complicated user interface and poorly designed command menu (Ratwani et al., 2019). These could have been identified and prevented during the system development and testing phases. On the other hand, the ineffective use of online assistance was an implementation issue, which could have been addressed at the early stage by conducting staff training.
The challenges can be addressed by involving end-users, clinicians and nurses, at the initial stages of designing and developing the EMR system. The end users can provide insight on how the system should be designed to meet the priority needs in health care delivery (Russ & Saleem, 2018). Staff training is also crucial and should be conducted in the initial stages of implementation (Russ & Saleem, 2018). It ensures that the staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to implement the system and solve common technical challenges.
Ball, M. J., DuLong, D., & Hannah, K. J. (2011). Nursing informatics: where technology and caring meet.
Ratwani, R. M., Reider, J., & Singh, H. (2019). A decade of health information technology usability challenges and the path forward. Jama, 321(8), 743-744. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.0161
Russ, A. L., & Saleem, J. J. (2018). Ten factors to consider when developing usability scenarios and tasks for health information technology. Journal of biomedical informatics, 78, 123-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2018.01.001
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