Agfa Offers Support for Voice Dictation on all New and Existing Workstations - Agfa's IMPAX R4 workstation - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Dec 6, 1999

Agfa Corporation has introduced support for voice recognition for its workstations, integrating the workflow efficiencies of IMPAX with a user definable, voice recognition and digital dictation solution that complements the radiologist's work process. Utilizing the TalkStation/Radiology continuous speech recognition, the system enables radiologists to directly control the entire reporting process, from image interpretation to the final result, thereby cutting transcription costs. Instead of the typical three-day turnaround for transcription, the radiology report is created in real time, can be edited or amended on the spot, and distributed right away to referring physicians or other providers.

"This truly is the next generation radiologist workstation," explains Dean Kaufman, head of Strategic Marketing for IMPAX Solutions. "The radiologist simply says `dictate' and begins speaking. Text is generated automatically, no typing is needed, and corrections and edits can be made using simple audible commands. The system informs the RIS which case the doctor is talking about and the dictation gets married to the case."

System Integrates Seamlessly with Agfa IMPAX R4 Voice recognition is fully integrated within the newly released IMPAX R4 workstation. This eliminates the need to have a separate workstation in the radiologist's workspace and simplifies the radiologist's workflow right onto the diagnostic workstation. This integration is enabled by the open standards supported by both companies and appears, to the user, as if they were one application. This ensures that benefits beyond the features of the standalone TalkStation product are realized, as ease of use, simplicity and workflow efficiency are maximized.

For users of Agfa's IMPAX R3.5 system, voice recognition can be included as a peripheral component for new or existing workstations. The voice-enabled workstation sits next to the IMPAX workstation, the radiologist dictates the report, and attaches it to the case with point and click simplicity.

Agfa's alliance with Talk Technology, Inc., the producer of TalkStation/Radiology, gives IMPAX users direct access to the leading voice recognition solution, which was designed for radiologists, by radiologists. TalkStation also includes many workflow features that further enhance the IMPAX workstation. TalkStation includes an automatic ICD-9 and BIRAD coding aid and allows for mammography tracking and lay letter generation. And, the new SmartReport Checker adds a module that will analyze a report at sign-off and check for report content and certain inconsistencies to improve quality control.

"We are really excited about this," says Michael Mardini, President of Talk Technology. "Agfa has once again proven to be at the edge of the technology curve with this integration."

Agfa Corporation is a subsidiary of the Agfa-Gevaert Group, one of the world's leading imaging companies, headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium. Agfa develops, produces and markets analog and digital systems, primarily for the graphics, medical and industrial radiography, and consumer imaging and photography markets. In May, 1999, Agfa acquired the stock of SDI Holding Corp., the parent company of Sterling Diagnostic Imaging, Inc., headquartered in Greenville, SC. Agfa Corporation, headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, employs 5,000 people. Worldwide, Agfa's annual sales are more than $4.5 billion.