Flash Ultrasound System 5100 Point of Care: Insights on usability and user experience

Flash 5100 POC delivers the latest Philips point-of-care ultrasound technological advances, informed by insights gained from physician users. This summative study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the usability and user interface (UI) of Flash 5100 POC. The high system usability scale (SUS) score of 88 and net promoter score (NPS) of 77 indicate strong user satisfaction.

The evaluation confirmed that the UI is effective and efficient for its intended users, uses and environments. Respondents expressed favorable impressions of system individual features and the system overall.

The usability and UI of Flash 5100 POC were evaluated through a summative study that included decay time, which is a gap between training and use to more closely mimic the real-world lag time between learning the system and operating it. Clinician participants primarily had training in emergency medicine, critical care and/or anesthesiology. This summative evaluation included critical tasks and hazard-related use scenarios identified in usability FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) and use scenarios.

A production-equivalent UI system was used for this study. All sessions were performed individually (one participant per session). The study used a simulated use environment for evaluation and was conducted in the United States. This simulation study involved a total of 43 participants from across the US who took part in training and then completed the SUS questionnaire. The SUS is a respected, scientifically proven independent scale used to rate technological systems on their usability and learnability. Data was collected through post-session interviews, surveys to assess SUS and NPS and questionnaires about product features and other feedback. Philips analyzed the questionnaires and data.

The clinical end users provided positive feedback on Flash 5100 POC. Study participants demonstrated a high degree of task success (97.2%) and a low incidence of task failure (2.8%).

Flash 5100 POC features next-step guidance, providing step-by-step instructions to make it easier for users of varying skill levels to operate the device effectively. Clinicians reported that the next-step guidance effectively accelerated their learning process with the device. This highlights the system’s ability to facilitate quick and efficient training for new users.

The streamlined interface supports quick navigation and is designed to reduce the cognitive load on users so that they can perform procedures accurately and efficiently. The system’s visual cues are designed to enhance user confidence and help reduce errors. User guidance supports the accurate execution of the AutoStrain EF procedure, helping to enhance overall diagnostic confidence.

Participants were asked for their impressions about the system and features in a number of areas.

In a simulation study, a total of 43 participants from across the US completed the SUS questionnaire for Flash 5100 POC. Flash 5100 POC achieved a very high SUS score of 88, which is better than the score for 90% [4] of more than 500 diverse technological systems measured across software, household appliances, high-tech systems and health tech solutions.

Perceptions of usability are influenced by system complexity, and the tasks users perform before taking the SUS. Scores range from 1-100, and a score of 68 is considered average.

NPS is a measure of customer satisfaction and loyalty, ranging from -100 to 100. A score of 77 indicates that a large majority of respondents are promoters (they would highly recommend the product or service), with very few detractors (those who would not recommend it).

Flash 5100 POC was put to the test in a summative study that provided a comprehensive evaluation of the system’s usability and UI. Participants experienced 97.2% task success and rated the system very highly for usability and user satisfaction, with a system usability score of 88 and net promoter score of 77. The UI was found to be effective and efficient for its real-world intended users, uses and environments. The user experience is positive and likely to benefit both experienced ultrasound users and those with less experience.