Design and implementation of maternal-infant clinical trial recruitment alert using linked electronic medical records, and evaluation of researcher-perceived alert usability

Background Clinical decision support systems configured as electronic medical records alerts can support clinical trial recruitment by identifying eligible participants. While they are typically used to evaluate a single patient record, their application for a linked maternal infant chart has not been extensively explored. Objective This project aimed to design and implement a clinical trial alert using linked maternal infant records and to evaluate researchers perceived usability. Materials and Methods We conducted a two phase quality assurance project: (1) design and implementation of an alert aligned with the anticipated recruitment workflow, and (2) evaluation of usability using the System Usability Scale. Basic content analysis described the alert design and implementation processes, while quantitative scoring assessed perceived usability. Results Over a 12 month period, only one alert was triggered due to changes in the recruitment workflow. Two silent alerts assessed maternal eligibility in outpatient and infant eligibility in inpatient settings. Three of four researchers completed the survey, yielding a score of 92.5, indicating excellent usability. Conclusion Although the alert was technically functional and perceived to have excellent usability, its performance was limited by deviations from the intended recruitment workflow. Researcher engagement and recruitment workflow alignment emerged as critical factors influencing alert utility. Clinical trial alerts for linked maternal infant records can be designed and implemented with excellent usability; however, consistent adherence to the recruitment workflow is essential. Broader application in additional study settings is recommended.