March 29th, 2009 by Emerging Technologies
At one time, the concept of speech recognition software existed almost exclusively in the world of science-fiction films. Remember the classic film 2001: A Space Odyssey? This was probably the film that first popularized the concept of talking to a computer. When people first viewed this film, they look at speech recognition programs as pure fantasy. Today, they are a reality and can be used with your home and office computer.
There are two forms of speech recognition software. The first is text to speech and it involves highlighted text that is then “read” out loud over the computer’s speakers. The second version is speech to text, which is also commonly referred to as dictation software. This type of speech recognition program listens to a person’s dictation and then types it out on a word processing program. Only a few short years ago, these very helpful programs were quite expensive. Today, their prices have come down significantly and they are much more accessible for personal and business use.
There are a number of “unintended” benefits that using speech recognition software provides. One of these benefits is reducing the tension and stress that is commonly placed on the wrist and finger joints when typing for extended hours. Those who suffer from the very painful condition of carpal tunnel syndrome will attest to the discomfort that such pain can cause. In the past, there was no way to reduce such stress because their profession required significant amounts of typing. With the advent of Speech to Text and Text to Speech programs, the ability to perform the same amount of work with less physical exertion is possible.
Actual, the phrase “same amount of work” may not be an accurate one. The use of speech recognition software can lead to a significant increase in productivity. Quickly dictating into a speech to text program can lead prove to be much quicker than typing out lengthy documents or reports by hand. Also, the text to speech program can greatly enhance the ability to multitask. Rather than sitting and reading a webpage or document on a computer, the speech recognition program can read it to you while you are working on something else at the same time. For those who never seem to have enough time in the day, both text to speech and speech to text can help you get more work accomplished.
Some may wonder if these speech recognition programs are user friendly. The answer is yes as long as you properly install the programs and follow the necessary steps to acclimate the program to your voice. The programs offer an option to dictate a pre-written script that the program will use to determine you pattern of speech and pronunciation. Once completed, the speech recognition program will understand the way to talk and this will reduce dictation errors. In terms of the text to speech program, you will have the option of altering the program’s voice. This way, you can make the program clearer and easier to understand.
Yes, speech recognition programs have arrived and they have the potential to forever alter the way you interact with your computer. Yes, the space odyssey has now moved to the earth.
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March 10th, 2009 by Emerging Technologies
The technologies and industry standard practices in the healthcare field have been making rapid advancements and people have come to rely on the methodology and technologies used by healthcare providers to perform the near impossible. While there may be no such thing as a miracle cure, there are plenty of healthcare providers out there who are providing higher than ever levels of quality care through technologies which are nothing short of miraculous. These innovations include speech recognition software, which helps healthcare professionals to work more efficiently and to ensure quicker and more accurate access to patient records and other medical information.
Speech recognition software has been in use for some time in certain types of medical care, such as radiology; where this software has streamlines the reporting process. This technology is being increasingly common across the healthcare industry, where it is helping more efficient record keeping at the point of care. This enables a more streamline work flow within healthcare facilities and a higher level of patient care.
Speech Recognition Software
Speech recognition technology first became available in the early 1980s; albeit in a far too rudimentary form to be useful in the healthcare industry. However, it has now progressed to the point where speech recognition software can be found which recognizes as many as 20,000 words.
How Speech Recognition Software Works
Traditionally, doctors have spoken into a Dictaphone or tape recorder, with these notes later being transcribed and entered into their medical records.
However, speech recognition software allows physicians to transcribe their words into text in real time, with these then being editable immediately for much quicker updating of patient records. Direct speech-enabled transcription software streamlines workflow by letting the physician input their recorded notes into their EMR system.
Speech recognition software helps create and update patient records in their EMR right from the point of care to ensure speed and accuracy.
Workplace Efficiency
Speech recognition software not only assists healthcare professionals in providing more efficient and higher quality care, but also can make patients better informed and more engaged in their own care.
The Economics of Speech Recognition Software in the Healthcare Industry
The healthcare industry spends $10 billion to $15 billion per year on medical transcription, with the average physician’s practice spending somewhere between $6,000 and $10,000 each year. Implementing speech recognition software can dramatically reduce or even eliminate these costs altogether.
Speech recognition software can save physicians 50% or more of transcription costs, with the software paying for itself in less than six months, even after accounting for the expenses of training and support.
This is a technology which is becoming increasingly well supported by vendors: Nuance’s Dragon Naturally Speaking Medical software offers a library of 14 medical-specialty vocabularies, along with the necessary tools to add practice-specific vocabulary.
The Dragon Naturally Speaking software can dramatically increase workflow for practices which already use an EMR system as well as those practices which have not yet made this transition, with the speech recognition software producing easy to work with MS Word format documents. While around 20% of practices already use EMR software, even those which do not can save untold hours of labor through the use of speech recognition software.
Voice Recognition:
Workflow Efficiencies
Traditional Dictation for Patient Data (a seven-step process)
1. Physician Input
2. Use of Speech Recording Device
3. Transcription Services
4. Physician Review of Transcript
5. Edit and Correction Cycle
6. Approval
7. Enter Final Data into System or Paper Files
Voice Recognition Technology Use for Patient Data (a four-step process)
1. Physician Input
2. Use of Speech-Enabled Software
3. Physician Self Edit
4. Enter Final Data into System or EMR
Voice recognition software reduces workflow by three steps, reducing transcription costs while increasing productivity.
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March 8th, 2009 by Emerging Technologies
A central London Healthcare facility, the HCA International, has launched a speech recognition -based radiology reporting on 12 sites. This advancement has lowered the average report creation times from the previous 12 hours to only 2:40 minutes. Acceptance level on radiologist has exceeded the 60% goal by the end of the project. And with the two-thirds on the launch completed, over 96 percent of total dictations are already being processed through speech recognition.
Imaging Informatics Manager of HCA International Kaye Bonython said in a case study made by speech recognition provider Nuance Communications Inc., that the high adoption levels indicates that the profiles are excellent , reports are coming on faster and that integration is optimal.
However, HCA International had to deal with certain issues and concerns at the beginning. Kaye Bonython admitted that people had negative experience with speech recognition before and thought that it would only use too much time and that it would only add to their reporting schedule. Bonython also added that the first negative thought just disappeared soon as radiologist recognized the technology and had evolved to a state where it could enhance timing.
HCA puts much importance on affording patients with timely reports. According to Kay Bonython, many patients come to get an imaging procedure before their meeting with an outpatient consultant. They of course want to have the image done immediately, get the report and leave. There is no reservation on the improved service due to the speech recognition, and they are aware that their consultant can base decision using both the right image and the right report. HCA gives their patience a higher level of confidence.
Yearly, HCA International conducts about 330,000 radiology exam. Their 160 radiologist serve about 5,000 referring physicians. For faultless system launching, the HCA included the senior physicians to lobby for speech recognition. Essential resources were provided to trainings as well as a champion at very site for top of the line support. One-to-one training sessions of three hours each where made for every user, to lessen their early reluctance and eventually build confidence as users need not only had to be used to speech recognition but on a new digital recording hardware as well.
HCA International opted for the SpeechMagic, Nuance’s speech recognition technology after the six-week long pilots of three products which had been completely included into the organization picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) to direct possible implementation issues before the actual launching.
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February 26th, 2009 by Emerging Technologies
Burlington Company Nuance Communications Inc., provides products including speech recognition software claimed that the US Army has placed orders for the Nuance’s Dragon Medical product for the use of its 10,000 doctors.
With the Dragon Medical, physicians will be able to develop medical documents and emails, search the internet using voice prompts. The company also added that the Medical Dragon is able to direct dictation into electronic health records or EHR. This device eliminates the reliance on typing and allows practitioners to spend more time with patients and practicing medicine. Nuance also claimed that, the Dragon Medical also allows for up to 25 percent less time on documenting care compared to using a non-voice enabled EHR.
Nuance now claims that the US Army’s decision to use Dragon Medical increases its users to more than 90,000 caregivers worldwide.
John Shagoury, Nuance’s healthcare division said in a statement that President Obama’s pledge for fully digitization of medical records within five years has placed a major pressure on 80 percent of doctors that have not yet migrated from paper to electronic patient records. Shagoury also added that although the Army and a growing number of physicians have succeeded in the transition, there are still many doctors who are struggling due to their need to document using the mouse and keyboard.
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