| Background: The nationwide challenges of diabetes management are present within Broome County, New York (NY), where this proof of concept study took place. The mortality rate surrounding the patient with diabetes in Broome County, NY is 33.13%, which has remained relatively unchanged during the time period of 2001-2010 (The Broome County Community Health Assessment for 2013-2017, 2013). These sobering statistics within the backdrop of mandated healthcare reform has signal a time for change in the delivery of healthcare. Health Information Technology (HIT) features heavily in the redesign of healthcare, and this Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is meant to move this initiative forward by including the outpatient provider in the design of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) diabetes management prototype. Once developed, a usability study was conducted to ascertain the relationship between usability of the EHR diabetes management prototype, and likelihood of use in clinical practice.;Methods: A usability study such as this was conducted to provide a better understanding of the barriers associated with lack of universal acceptance of HIT by the healthcare provider. In addition, the usability study offers valuable insights into what the outpatient healthcare provider wants and expects in an EHR diabetes management tool.;Results: The usability scores surrounding the EHR diabetes management prototype were above average, with 9 out of 11 persons scoring an A or A+ using the System Usability Scale (SUS). These scores were noted across a variety of demographics, including age and perceived level of comfort with technology. Two additional questions included within this study, indicated that all participants agreed that a diabetes management tool should be included within the EHR, and perhaps more importantly, all participants indicated that they would use the EHR diabetes management tool if it was available.;Conclusion: Diabetes management within the outpatient setting is complex and time consuming, leaving both healthcare providers and patients frustrated with the inability to make inroads into the outcomes of this patient population. The demonstrated usability of the EHR diabetes management prototype offers a solution in which to realize the consistent application of evidence-based guidelines for the diabetic patient, and ultimately improved outcomes. |
