3 Strategies to Enhance EHR Usability Through EHR Optimization

It is common to put an emphasis on the EHR vendor and implementation of new EHR technology. However, sustaining the technology and enhancing EHR usability comes down to EHR optimization.\ Better EHR usability leads to higher EHR adoption rates, fewer clinical errors, less clinician burnout, financial benefits, and improved patient safety. Per HIMSS, EHR usability is defined as “The effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which specific users can achieve a specific set of tasks in a particular environment. In essence, a system with good usability is easy to use and effective. It is intuitive, forgiving of mistakes and allows one to perform necessary tasks quickly, efficiently and with a minimum of mental effort.” But according to a study completed in a partnership between the Mayo Clinic and the American Medical Association (AMA), EHR usability leaves a lot to be desired. Researchers found that EHR usability was graded an “F” when evaluated on a letter grade scale by most providers.