Voice recognition on the web for clinical data entry

A Glasgow-based company has developed a voice recognition system aimed at healthcare professionals that enables them to speak into their clinical systems over any web browser.

The Voice Messenger system, which is being launched by Voice Technologies at next week’s UK Radiological Congress in Manchester, sits on a web server and receives voice data over a LAN connection or a broadband link. It then processes the audio and inserts data into the clinical record.

According to Voice Technologies, the system only needs a compatible microphone, foot pedal and two minutes’ initial calibration in order to operate over any web browser. The calibration need only be done once; from then on, users can log in from anywhere and access their previously saved configuration.

Paul Mulcahi, operations manager at Voice Technologies told E-Health Insider that there were several advantages to having the system installed server-side rather than client-side: "There’s less disk space required on local PCs. All the language modules are stored centrally on the server.

"Doctors can log onto any PC regardless of wherever they are on the network. And because there’s running on a server it can be backed up easily. There’s less support needed on the clients’ site."

"Because it’s centrally sited, if any changes are needed, for example if new types of drugs come out, it will be available to all users," he added. "We have our own software that we are developing; it’s easier to integrate."

If the voice recognition system is being accessed over the internet rather than a local area network, a minimum uplink of 512K is recommended. The software has been designed so that latency is minimised.

The system is based on the SpeechMagic system, manufactured by Philips. Heather Wiley, managing director of Voice Messenger said: "Our experience with SpeechMagic has been a good one in the past. Philips also integrates nicely with other systems." It was also developed in collaboration with the Glasgow School of Art’s digital design studio.

Wiley added: "Our deep understanding of administration procedures in hospitals, in combination with the robust and highly accurate speech recognition technology from Philips and the innovative approach of the digital design studio results in a unique medical reporting application.

"Voice Messenger takes into account the increasing demand for efficiency and gives doctors the choice to work how they want and when they want."