Development and evaluation of a novel user interface for reviewing clinical microbiology results. (17th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wright, Adam; Neri, Pamela M; Aaron, Skye; Hickman, Thu-Trang T; Maloney, Francine L; Solomon, Daniel A; McEvoy, Dustin; Ai, Angela; Kron, Kevin; Zuccotti, Gianna
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Volume 25:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1064
• Page End: 1068
• Publication Date: 2018-03-17
• Subjects: usability -- microbiology -- test results -- infectious disease -- user interface; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; Information Services -- Periodicals; Medical Informatics -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Informatica; Geneeskunde; Informatique médicale; Computer network resources; Electronic journals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocy014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-5027

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Microbiology laboratory results are complex and cumbersome to review. We sought to develop a new review tool to improve the ease and accuracy of microbiology results review. Methods: We observed and informally interviewed clinicians to determine areas in which existing microbiology review tools were lacking. We developed a new tool that reorganizes microbiology results by time and organism. We conducted a scenario-based usability evaluation to compare the new tool to existing legacy tools, using a balanced block design. Results: The average time-on-task decreased from 45.3 min for the legacy tools to 27.1 min for the new tool ( P < .0001). Total errors decreased from 41 with the legacy tools to 19 with the new tool ( P = .0068). The average Single Ease Question score was 5.65 (out of 7) for the new tool, compared to 3.78 for the legacy tools ( P < .0001). The new tool scored 88 ("Excellent") on the System Usability Scale. Conclusions: The new tool substantially improved efficiency, accuracy, and usability. It was subsequently integrated into the electronic health record and rolled out system-wide. This project provides an example of how clinical and informatics teams can innovative alongside a commercial Electronic Health Record (EHR).