NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
(NISTIR 7804) Technical Evaluation, Testing and Validation of the Usability of Electronic Health Records
Published
Author(s)
Svetlana Z. Lowry, Matthew T. Quinn, Mala Ramaiah, Robert M. Schumacher, Emily S. Patterson, Robert North, Jiajie Zhang, Michael C. Gibbons, Patricia Abbott
Abstract
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Usability Protocol (EUP) encompasses procedures for (1) expert evaluation of an EHR user interface from a clinical perspective and a human factors best practices perspective, and (2) validation studies of EHR user interfaces with representative user groups on realistic EHR tasks. The intent of the EUP is to provide detailed systematic steps for conducting validation studies (that is, summative usability tests). The validation study procedure guides the reader to help ensure that the applications user interface is free from critical usability issues and supports error-free user interaction with EHR. The sample forms for data collection and test scenarios provided in the appendices are guidance only; the development teams can choose other scenarios or modify these examples as necessary for their medical context.
Electronic Health Record (EHR), EHR Usability Protocol, EHR Users, EHR Use Errors, EHR Usability Expert Evaluation, EHR Usability Testing, EHR Summative Testing
Lowry, S.
, Quinn, M.
, Ramaiah, M.
, Schumacher, R.
, Patterson, E.
, North, R.
, , J.
, C., M.
and , P.
(2012),
(NISTIR 7804) Technical Evaluation, Testing and Validation of the Usability of Electronic Health Records, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7804
(Accessed October 14, 2025)