Recently, Healthcare IT News held a survey about the importance of usability in EMR implementation decisions.

Nearly half of respondents indicated that usability is one of the key components in implementation decisions, while 43 percent said that usability is the top component.

EMRs with intuitive user interfaces will likely help to increase EMR implementation. Seemingly small issues such as font size can greatly impact the usability of an EMR system, if it negatively impacts efficiency or productivity.

[See also: Usability key to wide EMR adoption.]

Only 10 percent of respondents have more pressing concerns than usability with regard to EMR implementation.

Issues involving interoperability, maintenance, and cost are other considerations for providers implementing EMRs.

The date range of the survey was May 23, 2011, to May 30, 2011.