NaturallySpeaking Medical was first launched in 2003. Version 9.5 was released in January of 2007. Approximately every 20 months a new version is released. DNS Medical Version 9.5 is an all-in-one system which enables physicians to use voice commands to navigate, dictate progress notes, e-prescribe medications and access test results.

In Use
DNS Medical Version 9.5 is a high tech solution to eliminating all of the typing and mouse clicks that can make EMR's time consuming and cumbersome to use. This is an amazing system; it uses speech-driven macros to navigate through the entire EMR system. This software makes creating letters, reports and emails three times faster than typing by hand. Clinicians can utilize multiple input devices to suite their working preferences.  It is possible to use handheld digital recorders, PDAs and Nuance approved BlueTooth headsets. The system has a built in medical library of 14 vocabularies covering over 60 specialties including Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Mental Health, Pathology and many others.

I found the screens and menus easy to use, and user friendly. When using this speech recognition software you can easily navigate the entire system with voice commands. The Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical Version 9.5 has the ability to add site names, new medications and create personalized commands that automatically enter standard phrases or paragraphs, such as normal exam results.

Displays voice command drop down window in Word.

The DNS Medical Version 9.5 has multiple user capability and can be installed on multiple computers and also can be used over networks. A license is required for each user. Dictaphone's PowerMic II is a useful option. It   is an ergonomically designed handheld microphone that filters ambient sounds, includes a pointing device and offers mouse functionality.  It is offered in most bundles of the system.

Displays tabs and menus in an EMR.

My overall impression of Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical Version 9.5 is that this system is easily installed, very well designed and a valuable timesaving solution for physicians and clinicians. This system is an affordable solution for dealing with EMRs.

Technology Employed
The software is ready to use out of the box. Most users can install the software themselves, and after a brief training session, Dragon Medical Version 9.5 adapts to the user's speech. The Dragon Medical 9.5 has a full set of onscreen tutorials, eliminating the  need for reading a thick manual.

The Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical Version 9.5 is compatible with any Windows based system, including Vista and Office 2007. The system is also compatible with any Citrix based EMR system.  The Dictaphone PowerMic II is not compatible with Linux or Mac systems. Be aware that the system requires 1 GB of memory.

Ease of Use, Configuration, and Deployment
The Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical Version 9.5 reduces time spent documenting patient care and can raise clinician satisfaction. It can  improve quality of patient documentation by allowing physicians to dictate and document in their own words. The Medical Version 9.5 has multiple language models and flexible work flow options. With this system you have the ability to add site names, new medications and create customized commands.

Recap
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical Version 9.5 is used by over 50,000 clinicians to document care directly into an EMR, Microsoft Word document, or in other clinical software. DNS Medical 9.5 lets physicians navigate any Windows or Citrix based EMR system by using voice commands to navigate throughout the system.

The Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical 9.5 system is available starting at $1,599. There are additional costs for user licenses, and Nuance can provide onsite training for additional fees, which usually takes approximately 2 hours per user. Physicians that use this system have reported that they get a return on their original investment within 3 to 4 months.

Pluses and Minuses
Advantages

• Makes EMRs easire to use
• Reduces time spent documenting care
• Voice macros
• Hands free navigation
• Compatible with a variety of dictation input devices

Disadvantages

• Additional user licenses and on-site training can boost the cost of the system