Improving the efficiency and accuracy of a tablet PC interface for computerized provider order entry through usability evaluation and provision of data entry strategies.

Six nurses participated in usability testing sessions during which they entered 35 physician orders using a tablet PC. Their performance was recorded and then replayed to code the user and system behaviours associated with order entry. Results indicate that problematic user navigational and data entry behaviours occur more frequently than system related behaviours but that the latter are associated with much higher error rates. Field-specific data entry strategies introduced during user training were adopted 77.6% of the time and resulted in improved efficiency.