Method of integrating a picture archiving communication system and a voice dictation or voice recognition system

Abstract

A method for integrating a picture archiving and communication system (“PACS”) and a voice dictating or speech recognition system (collectively “voice dictation system”) is provided. The method includes logging in to a PACS. The method also includes automatically logging in to a voice dictation system responsive to the logging in step and opening an image file in the PACS. The integration method further includes automatically creating a dictation file associated with the image file in the voice dictation system responsive to at least one of the logging in step, the automatic logging in step or the opening step. The method may optionally include sending a predetermined identifier to the dictation file to associate the image file with the dictation file. The method may additionally optionally include performing the automatic logging in step responsive to the PACS being in a dictation mode. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method for integrating the PACS and a voice dictation system includes issuing a save command for a dictation file and saving the dictation file to memory. The method further includes automatically saving the image file responsive to at least one of the issuing step or the saving step. The method also includes automatically opening an image file in the PACS responsive to at least one of the issuing step, the saving step or the automatic saving step.