Assessing Usability and Ambulatory Clinical Staff Satisfaction with Two Electronic Health Records

BACKGROUND: A growing body of literature has linked usability limitations within electronic health records (EHRs) to adverse outcomes which may in turn affect EHR system transitions. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (CU), and Weill Cornell Medical College (WC) are a tripartite organization with large academic medical centers that initiated a phased transition of their EHRs to one system, EpicCare. OBJECTIVES: This article characterizes usability perceptions stratified by provider roles by surveying WC ambulatory clinical staff already utilizing EpicCare and CU ambulatory clinical staff utilizing iterations of Allscripts before the implementation of EpicCare campus-wide. METHODS: A customized 19-question electronic survey utilizing usability constructs based on the Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale was anonymously administered prior to EHR transition. Responses were recorded with self-reported demographics. RESULTS: A total of 1,666 CU and 1,065 WC staff with ambulatory self-identified work setting were chosen. Select demographic statistics between campus staff were generally similar with small differences in patterns of clinical and EHR experience. Results demonstrated significant differences in EHR usability perceptions among ambulatory staff based on role and EHR system. WC staff utilizing EpicCare accounted for more favorable usability metrics than CU across all constructs. Ordering providers (OPs) denoted less usability than non-OPs. The Perceived Usefulness and User Control constructs accounted for the largest differences in usability perceptions. The Cognitive Support and Situational Awareness construct was similarly low for both campuses. Prior EHR experience demonstrated limited associations. CONCLUSION: Usability perceptions can be affected by role and EHR system. OPs consistently denoted less usability overall and were more affected by EHR system than non-OPs. While there was greater perceived usability for EpicCare to perform tasks related to care coordination, documentation, and error prevention, there were persistent shortcomings regarding tab navigation and cognitive burden reduction, which have implications on provider efficiency and wellness.