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| EHR lifecycle factor | Usability and safety optimization opportunities |
| For EHR developers | For healthcare providers |
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| Safety | • Incorporate a safety practice into the organization’s policies so that all team members understand its value. | • Set up a safe space where employees may come forward with concerns about potential dangers. |
| • Create a risk-free atmosphere in which possible risks may be reported. | • Prioritize safety by implementing measures to make sure that everybody on the team understands how important it is. |
| • To classify and act on discovered issues, use a specialized professional with expertise in patient safety and risk management. | • Authorize the use of automatic surveillance to look for potential risks in case of setup errors. |
| • Consider security measures in current and prospective software versions. | • Use teams with embedded health IT knowledge, especially in big companies with internal specialists in health information technology (health IT). |
| • Allow workers and customers to report safety risks and communicate promptly about the stated danger. | |
| Product R&D | • Develop and improve infrastructure by identifying healthcare provider requirements. | • Provide developer employees with chances to study healthcare staff processes and technology usage. |
| • Find out what kind of training you need. | • Design and testing for usability and safety should be shaped by physicians and experts in the field. |
| • Prior to the introduction of a product, carry out testing that focuses on high-risk functionalities and involves targeted users who are representative of the target market and rigorous test scenarios. | |
| Acquisition | • Provide healthcare providers with upfront information about the HER product’s features and anticipated prices so that they may examine the product’s viability, such as through comprehensive documentation. | • In order to identify prospective suppliers, evaluate clinician requirements for the EHR product as well as any budgetary restrictions. |
| Customization and configuration | • Create a list of known high-risk modifications that defy developer advice and explain how and why they may affect patients. | • Evaluate internal capabilities and expertise to modify the product based on talks with the vendor. |
| • Clarify with providers the relevant definitions, resources, and responsibilities (vendor, provider, and third-party products) | • Create a compelling argument for why modifications are necessary, including use cases. |
| • Analyze the resources and expertise of the supplier to make adjustments to the product and interact with them. | • Document customizations that are made and develop a risk mitigation plan. |
| Implementation and upgrades | • Create an implementation strategy based on your knowledge and share it with the teams in charge of implementing it at the healthcare providers. | • Implementation procedures must be supported by a sound governance framework that addresses any safety concerns that may emerge. |
| • Help implementation teams at healthcare facilities, such as doctors and nurses, and understand the fundamental functions and processes. | • Set up implementation teams of experts from various fields who can come to an agreement on the functionality and process. |
| • Ensure that a mechanism is in place to monitor safety by encouraging facilities to review their risk management procedures, resources, and requirements. | • Select a representative group of users to evaluate the new product. |
| • A well-qualified and well-supported IT staff is essential for providing on-going assistance. | • As soon as new versions of your operating system are available, begin implementing them. |
| | • Identify areas that need further construction, configuration, and/or clinical risk analysis and mitigation by reviewing changes included with updates. |
| Training | • Incorporate training situations that are both demanding and safety-focused. | • Keep track of the training expenses and the steps you took to get there. |
| • Refresher training should be provided following any significant system modifications or upgrades. | • Personalized training that meets the specific requirements of the participants is essential. Workflow simulations, refresher training, ongoing access to training materials, and the chance for improved training for individuals in need are all ways to provide this kind of training. |
| • Train your employees with the help of professionals who are trained or certified in the new technology you have bought. | • Learn to take into account the finest training methods suggested by vendors. |
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