USE OF SPEECH RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY TO ACCESS A RELATIONAL NEONATAL DATABASE TO PROVIDE FOR OUTCOMES ANALYSIS

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) 1999-09, Vol.104 (3), p.757-757
• Main Authors: Martin, Gilbert I, Furman, Gilbert I, Sindel, Bruce D, Ochikubo, Clark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Pediatrics
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275

Background: The neonatal medical record, a cornerstone for communication between all caregivers in a neonatal intensive care environment, can also accumulate information which can be stored and queried to provide outcomes analysis. Recent advances in voice technology combined with the power of current available database engines allow the computer to translate spoken text in recognized language. Methods: We created a computer application which combines a continuous voice technology speech engine provided by Lernout & Hauspie. Document templates were created in Microsoft Word and a specific relational database in Microsoft Access. The physician dictates straight into a document embedded with chosen data fields. Thirty patients were entered into the database and 60 data points were collected. Specific queries to retrieve information were subsequently made. Results: One of the questions asked was the following: The number of male patients, 750-1000 grams, who received Survanta and developed a grade II IVH. Two patients in the database fulfilled these criteria and the information was available immediately. Conclusion: The database developed is customized so that any number of relationships can be accessed. Free form dictated text which provides instantaneous notes is stored in the document, while the data fields reference information in the connected database. The resulting documents are "stand-alone" and can be stored anywhere on a network or PC. This is a one-step process which can be connected to a Hospital Information System. The use of speech recognition technology with a templated database format allows instantaneous, complete legible progress notes, saves time, is cost effective and can provide outcomes analysis and improve the quality of neonatal care. Equity in Computer Voice Dictation Solutions, Inc.