Field evaluation of commercial Computerized Provider Order Entry systems in community hospitals.

Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) is an important component of the electronic health record, but there has been some difficulty with user acceptance, and this is often due to poor computer interface usability which disrupts clinician workflow. This qualitative research employed usability engineering methods to study community hospital physicians using commercial CPOE systems while in a naturalistic context. Numerous usability problems were uncovered with this effective technique. Field usability testing should be considered in all institutions implementing CPOE or other clinical computer applications as a means of improving the usability and acceptance of those systems.