U.S. patent application number 11/498956 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for dictate section data.
Invention is credited to Louis G. III Cornacchia.
Application Number | 20070033033 11/498956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37011601 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070033033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cornacchia; Louis G. III |
February 8, 2007 |
Dictate section data
Abstract
A computer-based method is provided for dictating into a report
section via an electronic network. The method includes: marking a
first insertion point in a report section at a first user-selected
position, the first user-selected position being selectable to
allow a user to record a dictation at any position in the report
section, the dictation comprising electronic audio signals; and
recording a first dictation into the report section at the first
insertion point, the first dictation comprising electronic audio
signals.
Inventors: |
Cornacchia; Louis G. III;
(Point Lookout, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
F. CHAU & ASSOCIATES, LLC
130 WOODBURY ROAD
WOODBURY
NY
11797
US
|
Family ID: |
37011601 |
Appl. No.: |
11/498956 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11083865 |
Mar 18, 2005 |
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11498956 |
Aug 3, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
704/235 ;
707/E17.077; 707/E17.108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 15/00 20180101;
G06F 16/3343 20190101; G16H 40/67 20180101; G16H 10/60 20180101;
G06F 16/951 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
704/235 |
International
Class: |
G10L 15/26 20060101
G10L015/26 |
Claims
1. A computer-based method of dictating into a report section via
an electronic network, comprising: marking a first insertion point
in a report section at a first user-selected position, the first
user-selected position being selectable to allow a user to record a
dictation at any position in the report section, the dictation
comprising electronic audio signals; and recording a first
dictation into the report section at the first insertion point, the
first dictation comprising electronic audio signals.
2. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein recording the
first dictation into the report section at the first insertion
point comprises activating a virtual tape recorder to record the
first dictation into the report section at the first insertion
point.
3. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the report section
comprises a blank report section or a report section containing
data.
4. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein marking the first
insertion point in the report section at the first user-selected
position comprises positioning a cursor at the first user-selected
position in the report section.
5. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the dictation is
either a standard dictation type, a permanent dictation type, an
annotation type, or a transcribe-on-demand dictation type.
6. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the electronic
network is the Internet.
7. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising
stopping the virtual tape recorder.
8. The computer-based method of claim 7, further comprising placing
at least one of a text label, an icon, a tape icon, or a tape icon
having a text label associated with the first dictation at the
first insertion point.
9. The computer-based method of claim 8, wherein the text label
includes an indication of a type of dictation.
10. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising
generating an instance of a report including a report section,
before marking a first insertion point in the report section.
11. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising
marking a second insertion point in the report section at a second
user-selected position, the second user-selected position being
selectable to allow the user to record a dictation at any position
in the report section.
12. The computer-based method of claim 11, further comprising
recording a second dictation into the report section at the second
insertion point.
13. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising
maintaining a relative position of the first dictation in the
report section when data is added to the report section or when
data in the report section is edited, modified or deleted.
14. The computer-based method of claim 13, wherein maintaining the
relative position of the first dictation comprises maintaining the
relative position of the first dictation relative to neighboring
data in the report section.
15. The computer-based method of claim 13, further comprising
providing a secure transcription capability, the secure
transcription capability comprising: allowing a user to securely
access the first dictation and preventing the user from accessing
other data in the report section; and inserting a transcription of
the first dictation at the relative position of the first
dictation.
16. The computer-based method of claim 15, wherein the
transcription of the first dictation is visually distinct from
other data in the report section.
17. A computer-based method of dictating into a report in a
flexible manner, comprising: generating an instance of a report,
the report including at least one of a report header, report part,
report section or section data; setting an indicator to indicate a
mode of dictation; and recording a dictation into the report, the
dictation comprising electronic audio signals.
18. The computer-based method of claim 17, wherein recording a
dictation into the report comprises activating a virtual tape
recorder to record a dictation into the report.
19. The computer-based method of claim 17, wherein setting an
indicator to indicate the mode of dictation comprises setting an
indicator to indicate either a dictation of a report, a dictation
of a report section, or a dictation of a portion of a report
section.
20. The computer-based method of claim 19, wherein setting an
indicator to indicate the mode of dictation comprises: setting an
indicator to indicate dictation of a report, when a user begins a
recording in a blank report after clicking on a report header;
setting the indicator to indicate dictation of an entire section,
when a user begins a recording after clicking on a report section
header; and setting the indicator to indicate dictation of a
portion of a report section, when a user begins a recording after
marking an insertion point at a user-selected position in the
report section.
21. The computer-based method of claim 20, wherein marking the
insertion point at the user-selected position in the report section
comprises positioning a cursor at the user-selected position in the
report section.
22. The computer-based method of claim 21, further comprising
maintaining a relative position of the dictation in the report when
data is added to the report or when data in the report is edited,
modified or deleted.
23. A system for allowing a user to selectively dictate into a
report, comprising: an instructable data processor for generating
an instance of a report, the report comprising a report header, at
least one report part, and at least one report section; a display
device operatively associated with the instructable data processor
for displaying the instance of the report; at least one of a mouse,
a keyboard, or an assisted device operatively associated with the
display device for marking an insertion point in a report section
at a user-selected position; and a microphone operatively
associated with the instructable data processor to record a
dictation into the report section at the insertion point, wherein
the dictation comprises electronic audio signals.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the user-selected position is
selectable to allow the user to record a dictation at any position
in the report section, and wherein the dictation comprises
electronic audio signals.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This is a Continuation-In-Part Application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/083,865 (Attorney Docket No. 8123-1), filed
Mar. 18, 2005 and entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY
INPUTTING AND RETRIEVING RECORDS AND GENERATING REPORTS," the
content of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for
dictation into a report and, more particularly, to methods and
systems for dictation into user-selected portions of sections of a
report.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0005] It has been the practice of professionals, such as doctors,
lawyers, and engineers to personally record pertinent information
on a subject patient, client or matter so that professional
services performed and data pertinent to the subject are
documented. The documented information can be in many different
forms, such as a patient record database with patient demographic
information and clinical data, an engineer's report on the
structural conditions of a building, or an invoice including
professional fees, travel and other expenses related to the
services performed.
[0006] In many instances, the professional memorializes the
pertinent data or basis for a decision contemporaneously as
services are performed, such as by handwritten notes or dictation
into a voice recorder, and the information is subsequently gathered
for office personnel to enter into a report. Many reports are
standardized as forms and the gathered information is filled into
the form for efficient reporting. For example, in the case of a
physician examining a patient, clinical information is developed
during discussions with and physical examination of the patient.
The physician dictates or writes the clinical information observed
during the examination, and the forms and notes are typically
entered by the physician's office personnel. Likewise, the
structural engineer dictates or writes his observations during a
visual inspection, and a building inspection report is generated by
filling in a form-like report with standard pre-filled text on
general building condition, supplemented by contemporaneous
information using the recorded dictation.
[0007] When a patient is examined by a physician, the results of
the physical examination or clinical information are routinely
recorded such as by the physician entering the information onto a
form which is then placed in the patient's history file. It is
common practice for the healthcare professional to make handwritten
notes during the patient's physical examination. The notes are
later used by the healthcare professional for personally dictating
a patient's report. The dictation is then transcribed, reviewed and
signed by the physician who conducted the patient's physical
examination.
[0008] In the case of medical offices operating under health
maintenance organization (HMO) oversight, requiring audits of the
examination notes of medical professionals for consistency and
trends in diagnosis and treatment, the lack of computerized
databases for monitoring and updating clinical examination data and
the time consuming process of re-transcribing and editing paper
charts complicates this auditing process.
[0009] The Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable
Health Information ("Privacy Rule") limits the circumstances in
which an individual's protected health information may be used or
disclosed. The Privacy Rule, which was published in final form on
Aug. 14, 2002, establishes, for the first time, a set of national
standards for the protection of certain health information. The
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the Privacy
Rule to implement the requirement of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
[0010] A major purpose of the Privacy Rule is to define and limit
the circumstances in which an individual's protected health
information may be used or disclosed. The Privacy Rule requires
that health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and every healthcare
provider, regardless of size, who electronically transmits health
information shall maintain reasonable and appropriate
administrative, technical and physical safeguards to ensure the
integrity and confidentiality of the information, protect against
any reasonably anticipated threats or hazards to the security or
integrity of the information, and protect against unauthorized uses
or disclosures or the information.
[0011] Medical record documentation systems that allow the use of
dictation as a means of documenting clinical data are known.
Prior-art systems require that an entire report be dictated (i.e.,
one dictation constitutes all the sections in the report) or that
an entire section of a report be dictated (i.e. one dictation
constitutes the entire section). Situations arise where a section
of a medical report contains a nearly complete record of the
clinical findings. In existing systems, it can be necessary to
repeat information that has been previously documented. This is
time-consuming and gives rise to an undesirable opportunity to
introduce inaccuracies in the repeated information. Dictation of
previously documented information also increases costs when the
dictation requires transcription.
[0012] Despite the advances in the art, there is a need for a
system and method for facilitating interactive dictation of data
and records and to automatically generate reports. A need exists
for a system and method of managing medical records for
concurrently recording patient history and/or examination notes
during patient examination. A need exists for a system and methods
of managing records in which the user may document the information
by voice dictation over a global electronic network such that the
electronic records are private and secure. A need also exists for a
system and method of allowing a user to dictate only the additional
data needed in updating a record or report.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a computer-based method is provided for dictating into a
report section via an electronic network. The method includes:
marking a first insertion point in a report section at a first
user-selected position, the first user-selected position being
selectable to allow a user to record a dictation at any position in
the report section, the dictation comprising electronic audio
signals; and recording a first dictation into the report section at
the first insertion point, the first dictation comprising
electronic audio signals.
[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a computer-based method is provided for dictating into a
report in a flexible manner. The method includes generating an
instance of a report, wherein the report includes at least one of a
report header, report part, report section or section data; setting
an indicator to indicate a mode of dictation; and recording a
dictation into the report, the dictation comprising electronic
audio signals.
[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a system is provided for allowing a user to selectively
dictate into a report. The system comprises: an instructable data
processor for generating an instance of a report, the report
comprising a report header, at least one report part, and at least
one report section; a display device operatively associated with
the instructable data processor for displaying the instance of the
report; at least one of a mouse, a keyboard, or an assisted device
operatively associated with the display device for marking an
insertion point in a report section at a user-selected position;
and a microphone operatively associated with the instructable data
processor to record a dictation into the report section at the
insertion point, wherein the dictation comprises electronic audio
signals.
[0016] The present invention will become more apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art when descriptions of exemplary
embodiments thereof are read with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer network suitable for use in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a report structure showing a medical
report header, part, section and section data, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate a system for allowing a user to
selectively dictate into the report structure of FIG. 2, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of dictating into a
report section, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of dictating into a
report in a flexible manner, according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a graphical user interface including a virtual
tape recorder, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. Like reference numerals refer to similar of identical
elements throughout the description of the figures.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer network suitable for use in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
It should be understood that the elements shown in FIG. 1 may be
implemented in various forms of hardware, software or combinations
thereof.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a computer network 100 includes
clinical database 190, general database 180, application service
170, secure Internet server 160, and at least one Internet access
device, such as for example, workstation 115, PDA 120, laptop (or
notebook) computer 125, or other Microsoft Windows-enabled mobile
devices 130. The computer network 100 also includes a software
subsystem called the "universal address book", which maintains
information on all entities in the system. In an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, universal address book (UNAB)
data 185 is contained in the general database 180.
[0026] The information such as person identifying and demographic
information stored in the general database 180 may be separated
from the data that is stored in the clinical database 190. The
general database 180 is designed to be run either integrated with
the other database tables or hosted as a separate database system
in a geographically different site from the clinical database 190.
When hosted separately, a hacker who succeeds at hacking into one
site will not obtain the other's information. For example, if a
hacker were to hack into the clinical database 190 the hacker would
not have the person identifying information. To increase security
and privacy, the demographic data and/or clinical data may be
encrypted. The connection between the UNAB data 185 and the
clinical database 190 may also be encrypted.
[0027] The secure Internet server 160 includes modules to
facilitate access to/from application service 170 to the various
Internet access devices 115, 120, 125 and 130 connected to the
network over the Internet 150. The workstations 115, for example,
may be a fixed or portable personal computer equipped with a
computer monitor or screen, a keyboard, a microphone and/or a
camera, software modules for browsing hypertext or hypermedia
pages, a set of computer speakers and a computer mouse.
[0028] Generally, data or information can be input into the secure
Internet server 160 from the various Internet access devices 115,
120, 125 and 130 over the Internet 150 without software specially
made for the secure Internet server 160. Specific software that may
be needed from time to time can be downloaded from the secure
Internet server 160 and installed at the various Internet access
devices 115, 120, 125 and 130. For example, security software for
user identification or authentication can be loaded at the user's
station and used to ensure the user is a registered subscriber.
Commercially available software such as VoiceID or Pronexus VBVoice
can be used for the speaker identification process.
[0029] Secure Internet server 160 may include an instructable data
processor which can be coupled to a hard disk, a keyboard, mouse,
and/or another form of user interface (e.g., microphone) as well as
to a video card and display device, a network interface card,
telephony cards and circuits, and random access memory (RAM), where
the latter alone or in combination with the hard disk may contain
system software which provides instruction signals for instructing
the data processor and/or other instructable data processor to
carry out machine-implemented operations in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0030] As used herein, the term "dictation" refers to electronic
audio signals, such as for example, electronic audio signals
representing user input speech. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, dictation is classified into
four types which determine the processing to be done to that voice
recording. The first type is a "standard dictation" which is a
voice recording intended to be transcribed. When the transcription
is completed, the voice recording does not need to be saved and
after an allotted time would be archived. The second type is called
a "permanent dictation" which is a dictation that is intended to be
transcribed, but after transcription the original voice recording
needs to remain--it does not get archived. The third type is an
"annotation". An annotation is a dictation that is not intended to
be transcribed, and it will be saved as a voice recording. The
fourth type is a "transcribe-on-demand dictation". A
transcribe-on-demand dictation is an annotation in the sense that
it is not intended to be transcribed, but subsequent events may
require that voice recordings be transcribed for the purposes of
that event, such as an allegation of medical malpractice. Based on
a user indication, those voice recordings that were marked as
transcribe-on-demand can be transcribed. The user indication may
include parameters such as name of patient, date(s), etc. For
example, the user may indicate to transcribe all recordings for
Mary Smith.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a report structure including a medical
report header, part, section and section data, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It will be
appreciated that various types of reports are suitable for use in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention, including but
not limited to medical reports, client reports, engineering
reports, research reports, tax reports, accounting reports,
accident reports, inventory reports, business reports, insurance
reports, financial reports, government reports, or documentation
reports, etc. Referring to FIG. 2, the report structure 200
illustrates an exemplary medical report that includes report header
210, report part 220, report section 230 and report section data
240.
[0032] A report, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, includes a report header 210, at least one
report part 220, and at least one report section 230. The report
header 210 may contain metadata relating to the entire report, such
as for example, person, patient, client, author, entity such as a
government entity, physician, engineer, attorney, date, file
identifier such as project name, attorney docket number or security
classification level, location and so forth.
[0033] In the case of a medical report, for example, there may be a
report part 220 entitled physical exam. The physical exam part may
contain sections for the chest exam, cardiac exam, abdominal exam,
etc. A report section 230 may contain report section data 240. For
example, in a medical report, each report section 230 contains
clinical data that documents the information relevant to that
section. For example, the data for the cardiac exam section may
contain information about an EKG, resting pulse, etc. The section
data can include data that was entered by various means, such as
text entry and dictation(s).
[0034] FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate a system for allowing a user to
selectively dictate into the report structure of FIG. 2, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, a
user may begin dictation of an entire report when the user begins
recording in a blank report after clicking on a report header.
Referring to FIG. 3A, information about the location and/or other
attributes of the voice recording is stored in the clinical
database 190, and a placeholder such as the tape icon having a text
label "311" shown in FIG. 3A is inserted within the report header
210. The tape icon labeled 311 contains a link shown by an arrow in
FIG. 3A to the dictation entity (box labeled "Dictation 311") in
the clinical database 190.
[0035] Playback can be initiated, for example, by double-clicking
on the tape icon labeled 311 within the report header 210 of FIG.
3A, which causes the voice recording to play back through the link
in the clinical database 190. Playback also can be initiated by
activating a virtual tape recorder. FIG. 6 shows a graphical user
interface including a virtual tape recorder, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6,
the virtual tape recorder 600 includes stop button 610, record
button 620 and play button 630. The virtual tape recorder 600 may
be activated, for example, using a mouse, using a keyboard, using
an assisted device, clicking on play button 630 on the virtual tape
recorder 600, activating a function key and/or activating a
hardware device associated with a function key.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a user
may begin dictation of a part of a report when the user begins
recording after clicking on a report part. Referring to FIG. 3B,
information about the location and/or other attributes of the voice
recording is stored in the clinical database 190, and a placeholder
such as the tape icon having a text label "322" shown in FIG. 3B is
inserted within the report part 220. The tape icon labeled 322
contains a link shown by an arrow in FIG. 3B to the dictation
entity (box labeled "Dictation 322") in the clinical database
190.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user
may begin dictation of an entire section of a report when the user
begins recording after clicking on a report section. Referring to
FIG. 3C, information about the location and/or other attributes of
the voice recording is stored in the clinical database 190, and a
placeholder such as the tape icon having a text label "331" shown
in FIG. 3C is inserted within the report section 230. The tape icon
labeled 331 contains a link shown by an arrow in FIG. 3C to the
dictation entity (box labeled "Dictation 331") in the clinical
database 190. Alternatively a user may begin dictation of a portion
of a report section when the user begins a recording after marking
an insertion point at a user-selected position in the report
section.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of dictating into a
report section via an electronic network, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The electronic network may be
the Internet. Referring to FIG. 4, in a step 410, mark a first
insertion point in a report section at a first user-selected
position, wherein the first user-selected position is selectable to
allow a user to record a dictation (comprising electronic audio
signals) at any position in the report section. For example, the
user may only need to annotate existing information.
[0039] The first insertion point may be marked in a blank report
section or in a report section containing data. Report sections
containing data include new report sections into which data has
been entered and previously saved report sections containing data.
As used herein, "data" refers to text, image, voice, multi-media,
video, electronic file and/or report data. In an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, a method of dictating into a
report section via an electronic network includes generating an
instance of a report including a report section, before marking a
first insertion point in the step 410.
[0040] Marking the first insertion point in the report section at
the first user-selected position may comprise positioning a cursor
at the first user-selected position in the report section. For
example, the cursor may be positioned using a mouse, a keyboard,
and/or an assisted device.
[0041] In a step 420, record a first dictation into the report
section at the first insertion point. In an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, recording the first dictation into the
report section at the first insertion point comprises activating a
virtual tape recorder 600. The virtual tape recorder 600 may be
activated, for example, using a mouse, using a keyboard, using an
assisted device, clicking on record button 620 on the virtual tape
recorder 600, activating a function key and/or activating a
hardware device associated with a function key.
[0042] The virtual tape recorder 600 may be stopped, for example,
using a mouse, using a keyboard, using an assisted device, clicking
on stop button 610 on the virtual tape recorder 600, activating a
function key and/or activating a hardware device associated with a
function key. After the virtual tape recorder 600 is stopped, a
text label, icon, tape icon, or tape icon having a text label
representing the first dictation may be inserted at the first
insertion point. It is to be understood that the text label, icon,
tape icon, or tape icon having a text label may be inserted at the
first insertion point at any time, e.g., prior to when the virtual
tape recorder 600 is stopped. An icon or text label may include an
indication of a dictation type, e.g., a standard dictation type, a
permanent dictation type, an annotation type, or a
transcribe-on-demand dictation type.
[0043] A relative position of the first dictation in the report
section may be maintained when data is added to the report section
or when data in the report section is edited, modified or deleted.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the relative
position of the first dictation is maintained relative to
neighboring data in the report section.
[0044] An individual may choose to dictate one voice recording that
contains all the data needed for a report section, or dictate one
or more voice recordings that comprise portions of the data needed
to complete that section. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, a method of dictating into a
report section includes marking a second insertion point in the
report section at a second user-selected position, wherein the
second user-selected position is selectable to allow the user to
record a dictation at any position in the report section. A second
dictation may be recorded into the report section at the second
insertion point. In an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the relative position of the second dictation is
maintained relative to neighboring data in the report section.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
secure transcription capability comprises the steps of allowing a
user to securely access the first dictation and preventing the user
from accessing other data in the report section; and inserting a
transcription of the first dictation at the relative position of
the first dictation. The transcription of the first dictation may
be visually distinct from other data in the report section. For
example, the transcribed text may be a different color than that of
neighboring text. Visual cues allow the user to quickly and easily
identify changes to a report. This can be useful, for example, in
situations where a person such as a physician is required to review
and/or approve changes in a report.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of dictating into a
report in a flexible manner, according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, in a step 510,
generate an instance of a report, wherein the report includes at
least one of a report header, report part, report section or
section data.
[0047] In a step 520, set an indicator to indicate a mode of
dictation. The step 520 may comprise setting an indicator to
indicate either a dictation of a report, a dictation of a report
section, or a dictation of a portion of a report section. In an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, setting an indicator
to indicate the mode of dictation comprises: setting an indicator
to indicate dictation of a report, when a user begins a recording
in a blank report after clicking on a report header; setting the
indicator to indicate dictation of an entire section, when a user
begins a recording after clicking on a report section header; and
setting the indicator to indicate dictation of a portion of a
report section, when a user begins a recording after marking an
insertion point at a user-selected position in the report
section.
[0048] In the case of a medical report, for example, if a patient
is not selected when a dictation is begun, it is assumed that the
user intends to record both patient demographic and clinical
information. Some voice files that can be recorded are really
annotations, defined as voice files that will not be transcribed
but will remain as voice files. For example, these can be specified
by selecting the annotations indicator for the virtual tape
recorder 600 when a dictation is open, and this information will be
maintained in the metadata for the voice file.
[0049] Marking the insertion point at the user-selected position in
the report section may comprise positioning a cursor at the
user-selected position in the report section. For example, the
cursor may be positioned using a mouse, a keyboard, and/or an
assisted device.
[0050] In a step 530, record a dictation into the report. In an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, recording the
dictation into the report comprises activating a virtual tape
recorder 600 to record a dictation into the report. The virtual
tape recorder 600 may be activated, for example, using a mouse,
using a keyboard, using an assisted device, clicking on record
button 620 on the virtual tape recorder 600, activating a function
key and/or activating a hardware device associated with a function
key.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
relative position of the dictation in the report is maintained when
data is added to the report or when data in the report is edited,
modified or deleted. For example, the relative position of the
dictation may be maintained relative to neighboring data in the
report.
[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer network suitable for use in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The application service 170 supports the ability for a user to
dictate an entire report, a part thereof, a section thereof, or
portion of a section thereof, via an electronic network. The
electronic network may be the Internet. In an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, a system for allowing a user to
selectively dictate into a report via an electronic network
includes an instructable data processor for generating an instance
of a report. For example, the report may include a report header
210, at least one report part 220 and at least one report section
230, as shown in FIG. 2. The report may further include report
section data 240.
[0053] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
system for allowing a user to selectively dictate into a report via
an electronic network further includes a display device operatively
associated with the instructable data processor for displaying the
instance of the report; at least one of a mouse, a keyboard, or an
assisted device operatively associated with the display device for
marking an insertion point in a report section at a user-selected
position; and a microphone operatively associated with the
instructable data processor to record a dictation (comprising
electronic audio signals) into the report section at the insertion
point.
[0054] Hereafter, an exemplary scenario wherein a user dictates
into a medical report section, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 3D. The user marks an insertion point
using, e.g., a mouse (clicking into the text sets an insertion
point) and then indicates that s/he wishes to record by clicking on
the record button 620 of the virtual tape recorder 600. (It is to
be understood that the user may mark an insertion point using any
suitable means including but not limited to a mouse, a keyboard, or
an assisted device.) This action causes the application service 170
to record the user's voice and save it as a voice recording file
301 on a secure file system. Information about the location and/or
other attributes of the voice recording are stored in the clinical
database 190, and a placeholder such as tape icon having a text
label "341" is inserted within the medical report section data 240.
This is also the point at which transcribed text would be inserted
during the transcription process. The placeholder or tape icon
labeled 341 contains a link shown by an arrow in FIG. 3D to the
dictation entity, i.e., box labeled "Dictation 341", in the
clinical database 190.
[0055] Playback can be initiated in a variety of ways, such as for
example, by double-clicking on the tape icon labeled 341 within the
medical report section data 240 of FIG. 3D, which causes the voice
recording to play back through the link in the clinical database
190. Playback can also be initiated by activating the virtual tape
recorder 600. The virtual tape recorder 600 may be activated, for
example, using a mouse, using a keyboard, using an assisted device,
clicking on play button 630 on the virtual tape recorder 600,
activating a function key and/or activating a hardware device
associated with a function key.
[0056] A system for allowing a user to selectively dictate into a
report via an electronic network, according to exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, allows the user to dictate
only the amount of data necessary to complete the documentation of
e.g., a section of a medical report, and to place the voice
recording at exactly the location in the section where it is
appropriate.
[0057] A system for allowing a user to selectively dictate into a
report via an electronic network, according to exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, eliminates the necessity to
record an entire section (that may already have some relevant data)
or an entire report, and permits the clinical documentation process
to be performed by multiple individuals if needed.
[0058] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood
that the that the inventive processes and systems are not to be
construed as limited thereby. It will be readily apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to the
foregoing exemplary embodiments can be made therein without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included
therein.
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