WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | New Technology Means Quicker Results For Patients

New Technology Means Quicker Results For Patients

When you go in for an X-ray or diagnostic test, the hardest part can be waiting for the results. It could take hours or even days. Now St. Joseph's/Candler is hoping to speed up that process with a new dictaphone called Powerscribe. It's voice recognition system can write up a report directly into a computer.

After a test, like an MRI is done, the images immediately go to radiologists like Dr. Robert Myers. He uses Powerscribe to translate what he sees in front of him and then faxes it back to the doctor. "It allows referring physicians to have access to the report literally within 30 minutes of it being performed," Dr. Myers explained. "So they can follow up with the patient that day or even the next day, review the report and make the decision on where to proceed next."

Dr. Myers is the director of Interventional Radiology at Candler Hospital. He says Powerscribe also prevents any medical mistakes from radiologists trying to read a physicians handwriting.

In the past, radiologists would use a voice recorder to dictate reports. It would then go to a medical transcriptionist, who might be local or live across the country. The transcriptionist would type up the notes and send it back to the radiologist. The radiologist would then have to review the report again. That process could take anywhere from a matter of hours to a number of days.

Now that time is cut in half, allowing patients peace of mind a little bit sooner. "Our patients get better, faster service. And hopefully, a less stressful situation," said Dr. Myers.

Any doctors within the St. Joseph's/Candler Health System can access the radiologists report. Whether the patient is in the ER, intensive care unit, or had an outpatient procedure.

St. Joseph's/Candler is the first hospital in our region to have Powerscribe.

Reported by: Melanie A. Ruberti, mruberti@wtoc.com