Digital dictation outperforms analog in study

An audit that compared the proficiency of digital dictation software with that of a tape-based system showed an overwhelming difference in time efficiency.

According to USP Magazine, a study conducted by the Appletree Medical Practice showed a 72-hour difference between the two systems. The traditional analog system clocked in at an average of 98 hours and 17 minutes a month when processing patient information in the healthcare facility, while the use of dictation software only took 26 hours and 48 minutes.

The staggering difference clearly shows that the digital dictation software provides a different level of flexibility and immediacy to an organization. The news source adds that employees will be able to prioritize jobs better and create more opportunities for productivity.

Lianne Burke, the data manager at Appletree, understands the need for the system not only as a means to efficiently transcribe data but also to keep the staff sane. She told the the news outlet that if the dictation software were to be taken away, her staff would more than likely hand in their notices the next day.

"This study echos out internal findings of practices that we have switched off of a tape base system to a digital workflow", states Paul Ross, of American Dictation Corp.  "Once the initial setup and training are completed, which actually takes very little time, the results are immediate." says Ross  "We can have a practice up and running in just a few hours, and the transcriptionist simply cannot believe the audio quality and workflow capabilities of the system."

One of the reasons for the increase in productivity of digital technology over analog is the automation.  Dictations can quickly be marked priority by the practitioner, and will immediately appear in red at the top of the transcriptionists queue.

Once a file is marked as finished, it is held for a customizable period of time, and automatically deleted should the user wish.  Vacations and reassignment of workflow is also no longer an issue, as voice files can be sent to an alternative typist in an instant.

The other main benefit is HIPAA compliance.  Tapes are simply not privacy protected in any way.  Digital recorders can be locked with a PIN, and the files can be encrypted automatically prior to transfer to the transcriptionist.  Files can also be sent via secure FTP connection, further ensuring HIPAA compliance.