title: Increasing EHR system usability through standards: Conformance criteria in the HL7 EHR-system functional model.
abstract: Though substantial work has been done on the usability of health information technology, improvements in electronic health record system (EHR) usability have been slow, creating frustration, distrust of EHRs and the use of potentially unsafe work-arounds. Usability standards could be part of the solution for improving EHR usability. EHR system functional requirements and standards have been used successfully in the past to specify system behavior, the criteria of which have been gradually implemented in EHR systems through certification programs and other national health IT strategies. Similarly, functional requirements and standards for usability can help address the multitude of sequelae associated with poor usability. This paper describes the evidence-based functional requirements for usability contained in the Health Level Seven (HL7) EHR System Functional Model, and the benefits of open and voluntary EHR system usability standards.
authors: Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA. Electronic address: Rmeehan3@kent.edu.
authors: Rebecca A
authors: RA
authors: Meehan
authors: RTI International, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: Donald T
authors: DT
authors: Mon
authors: UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Kandace M
authors: KM
authors: Kelly
authors: Dipl. Inform. Med., Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
authors: Mitra
authors: M
authors: Rocca
authors: CentriHealth, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Dickinson
authors: Your Data Steward, Monroeville, PA, USA.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Ritter
authors: Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: Constance M
authors: CM
authors: Johnson
mesh_terms: D003199:Computer Systems; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D057208:Health Level Seven; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics
keywords: Electronic health records; Health information technology; Standards; Usability