Usability

Usability testing is a process that employs participants who are representative of the target population to evaluate the degree to which a product meets specific usability criteria. It is good for determining if the design works in real life. The deliverables are a list of usability issues, description of the errors made and recommendations for improvements.

Goals:

• To understand how the user views the system
• To understand why users make the decisions they make
• To note what users do
• To acquire an indication of what causes the biggest usability problems
• To uncover many small details
• Produce a great deal of data with few users

The GAPS Center has taken the lead in this area by conducting usability tests on Bar Code Medication Administration software (BCMA V1.0, early V2.0 prototype, and mid-stage V2.0 prototype). For each test, participants were Registered Nurses with varying experience and BCMA familiarity. Each participant simulated passing medication to six patients on an acute care ward after listening to a shift change tape. The participants were interrupted 12 times during the medication pass to simulate actual work situations. Data included time to complete tasks, medication administration logs, think-aloud verbal protocols captured on videotape, and responses to a validated questionnaire. Each usability test identified approximately 15 high, medium, and low priority redesign recommendations prior to implementation of the next version.

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