Abstract
Background
Electronic medical records (EMRs) can potentially improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of patient care, especially in the emergency department (ED) setting. Multiple barriers
to implementation of EMR have been described. One important barrier is physician resistance.
The “ED Dashboard” is an EMR developed in a busy tertiary care hospital ED. Its implementation
was exceptionally smooth and successful.
Study Objectives
We set out to examine the design features used in the development of the system and
assess which of these features played an important role in the successful implementation
of the ED Dashboard.
Methods
An anonymous survey of users of the ED Dashboard was conducted in January and February
2009 to evaluate their perceptions of the degree of success of the implementation
and the importance of the design features used in that success. Results were analyzed
using SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).
Results
Of the 188 end-users approached, 175 (93%) completed the survey. Despite minimal training
in the use of the system, 163 (93%) perceived the system as easy or extremely easy
to use. Users agreed that the design features employed were important contributors
to the system's success. Being alerted when new test results were ready, the use of
“most common” lists, and the use of color were features that were considered valuable
to users.
Conclusion
Success of a medical information system in a busy ED is, in part, dependent on careful
attention to subtle details of system design.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 12, 2010
Accepted:
May 11,
2010
Received in revised form:
February 22,
2010
Received:
November 18,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
