Quick Tips for Dragon Users

POC: Steve Steffensen

Quick Tips forDragon UsersQuick Tips forDragon Users

Steve Steffensen, MDLCDR, MC, USN

Navy Hospital PensacolaNeurology


Service Pack 1

• Install SP1 (Service Pack 1) Update– Will improve speed/accuracy of Dragon.– Place trouble ticket with Computer Helpdesk if

you do not have SP1. Available free from “LiveUpdate” feature of Dragon.

right click


Choose Appropriate Vocabulary

• During Profile creation…make sure to choose appropriate vocabulary.– For most primary care docs, this will be the

“Medical” vocabulary…but there are specialty specific vocabularies as well.

Side Note: Try to name your profile with standard “Lastname-Firstname” (Smith-John)

This will make it easier to find if you load Dragon on a machine that is used by multiple providers.


Choose a Microphone

• Some people prefer headset microphones (standard with Dragon)…others prefer handheld.– My preference is the ANC-300 handheld (with

mute switch).Standard Dragon

headset microphone

PROS: Hands are free to type and use mouse. Improved accuracy.

CONS: Headset look/feel. No mute switch for rapid on/off.

ANC-300 with stand

PROS: More like real transcription. Mute switch. Cheap handheld.

CONS: Requires user hold head still to improve accuracy while speaking.

VoiceRecognition.com (cost $24.95)http://shop.voicerecognition.com/s.nl/it.A/id.82/.f


Make a desktop shortcut to “Audio.exe”

• Audio.exe is a file in the Dragon directory that lets you reconfigure your microphone to adjust for noise, volume, etc. If you change microphones or rooms, you should calibrate the microphone with this feature to improve accuracy.

Usually found in the following directory:C:\Program Files\Nuance\NaturallySpeaking9\Program\

Right-click this file in the above directory and choose “Create shortcut”


Import Military Terms from Nuance website

• Nuance has been working with the military (MHS) to create the following website:

http://www.nuance.com/mhs

Military terms to import:http://www.nuance.com/terms.asp


For Navy users, I recommend the three files shown below.

http://www.nuance.com/mhs/terms.asp

Continued from

previous slide


How to import new words

• Two methods…use the Dragon menus: select “Words” then “Import” from main Dragon menu.

• Or use the following file:

Continued from

previous slide

Usually found in the following directory:C:\Program Files\Nuance\NaturallySpeaking9\Program\

Side Note: You can also see which vocabulary your are using (and change it).

Import new words by selecting this option.


Use a Dragon “Cheat” Card

• I have worked with Nuance to create a PDF version of the following card. It is available if you email me: [email protected]

CAPT Bob Hoyt and CDR Matt Rings also have copies.


“Export” (not backup) Your Profile Regularly

• Learn how to “export” your profile to a safe location (e.g. thumb drive or share drive)!!

• If AHLTA crashes with Dragon running, it may corrupt your profile. This forces you to have to “recreate” your profile and all voice shortcuts (painful).

• Learn to backup your profile after first creation and every time you make significant additions/deletions.

See next slide for a “How to Export Your Profile” demo.


How to Export Your Profile

Side note: Notice that this is the area that you can specify the default location for files. It can be a thumb drive or network share drive.

I typically recommend making a new folder in the “My Documents” area called “Dragon Backup”. This standardizes the backup location for a given MTF.

1 2

3

Right-click the microphone.Select “Files Manage Users”

Select appropriate profile. Select “Advanced Export”.

NOTE: “Import” is done the same way if you ever have to import your profile.


Understand Potential Dragon Cost-Savings

• CAPT Bob Hoyt is working on a survey for pre/post Dragon use at NHP. TATRC has also done a survey. If interested, please click on above underlined links.

• The potential cost savings of using Dragon vs. Transcription is estimated by NHP to be >$2500/month/provider (using Internal Medicine transcription numbers). Email LT Ben Rodriguez for more information.