Main description:

Usability is the key to the meaningful use of EHRs, resulting in safe, easy-to-use, and useful applications. Good usability saves money by reducing the time and resources needed for training and post-implementation support, lessens the negative impacts on productivity, and diminishes technology-induced errors. It also promotes user satisfaction and adoption. Written by two health informaticists with different professional backgrounds, one from nursing and the other from IT, this book is intended for organizations that purchase and customize EHRs, and also for EHR vendors and programmers. The book provides the tools, ideas, and knowledge that will help readers improve EHRs. Chapters cover key definitions of usability, electronic health records, and users; commonly accepted principles of usability; usability evaluation through testing and research; usability related to workflow; usability evaluation methods, including instructions, tools and tips for each method; and building a business case for usability. The book also discusses the future of usability, and the need for optimizing EHR usability today.