The Gateway

Voice recognition software is nothing new, especially to providers who use it in their everyday practice. After all, most people speak faster than they type, and many providers would agree they'd prefer to keep their hands free of pen and paper, or a computer, when working with a patient, documenting a surgical procedure, or interpreting an X-ray. One solution we've provided, since 2009, is the option of using voice recognition (VR) software with MC4 systems.

Part of the MC4 qualified software list, Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) provides VR capabilities to deployed providers, enabling them to more efficiently document the care of Soldiers, synchronizing the encounter with the patient's electronic medical record (EMR). Don't just take my word for it; read what health care providers who have first-hand experience with DNS and MC4 have said.

Deployed medical staff who have prior experience with DNS and are interested in using the software and the headset with their MC4 systems in theater should contact their MC4 field support representative or region support office. Providers who have DNS software already and would like to bring it to theater to use on MC4, feel free! Remember to bring your DNS profile with you, too. MC4 has purchased Plantronics DSP 500 USB Headsets for providers to use in theater should they forget to bring their own headset and microphone hardware with them downrange. For the past two years, MC4 trainers and systems administrators have been providing over-the-shoulder basic support for health care providers using DNS, but I encourage users to access a new resource available online for training and support.

In October 2010 a new website, AMEDD Clinical Systems Exchange (ACSE), pronounced "ACE," launched to replace the former MAPS portal. The site, accessible at https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/617087, has been enhanced to support all information systems users and key members of the Army informatics community.

MC4 is gearing up for Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 12.1 this October at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), N.M. We're participating in the ongoing evaluation process to determine the requirements necessary to operate current and emerging IM/IT systems in a deployed environment.

It's exciting to be part of the continuing conversation regarding the future of the Army’s cutting-edge communications technology. Let’s face it, a lot of time and money have gone into developing mobile electronic devices and NIE is exactly what we need to identify which products just aren’t meeting Soldiers’ needs. Ultimately, the lessons learned from these multi-week sessions will help make the acquisition process more responsive.

By saturating the network, we can determine how many tools can be used at one time, giving us more insight into how a single Army network is impacted by heavy traffic. The information we’ve gained from just testing the systems has made NIE a success.

Due to some connectivity issues during the last NIE, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 1st Armored Division wasn’t able to completely examine telehealth. Endusers were able to connect to the NIPR network, just not at the same time. MC4 wasn’t the only program impacted by this, but we anticipate that the network connectivity kinks will be ironed out so we can fully demonstrate telehealth this fall. This time around we plan on providing a telehealth capability demonstration using the Cisco TelePresence Movi suite and PrecisionHD USB cameras. At NIE 12.1 we’re also looking forward to demonstrating how information can arrive at the next level of care before the patient arrives. If there are any gaps or vulnerabilities that may hinder this capability, NIE will help us identify and resolve this issue for future BCTs.

As NIE progresses, hand-held mobile devices will hopefully be part of the conversation. If the wireless capability of the MC4 handheld isn’t enabled in time for NIE 12.2, we’re anticipating that the Army will make an announcement as to what other mobile electronic device will be given the green light to participate in upcoming NIE cycles per the security technology implementation guidelines (STIGs). Regardless of the Army’s mobile device choice, we’ll be ready to equip deployable medical staff with the tools needed to document patient care electronically. I will be attending portions of NIE 12.1 and will keep you posted.

Deploying professional filler system (PROFIS) personnel can now get trained up on MC4 when they go through the CONUS Replacement Center (CRC) at Fort Benning, Ga. Having déjà vu? That’s probably because I made this exact same proclamation in 2009, but this time around I sincerely mean it!

To date, we’ve traditionally shelled out computer-based training (CBT) materials at the professional fillers rotating through CRC. Since May 25, however, we’ve carved out a formal four-hour block of formalized instruction time to give medical staff some hands-on experience with MC4.

This partnership with CRC is key to enhancing the skills of deployable medical staff and ultimately impacts patient care. Medical personnel who don’t receive training on MC4 systems prior to joining their units in the field are often ill-prepared to electronically document patient care. These recently launched classroom trainings at CRC will serve as yet another venue to get trained up on MC4 prior to arriving down range. For other opportunities, see the training section of our website.

In all seriousness, there’s been a lot of progress made in the past few months to further this effort. Initially, we were training four to six health care professionals per week and now we’re averaging eight to fifteen per week. Last week we trained 21 health care professionals. We’re providing all PROFIS personnel with familiarization and scenario-based training on apps like AHLTA-T, TC2, Theater Medical Data Store (TMDS) and Medical Situational Awareness in the Theater (MSAT), as well as reference tools including MEDIC and Micromedex. We’re also providing them with fact sheets, CBTs and quick reference guides.

Thus far we’ve already experienced a decrease in the number of people requiring MC4 training upon arrival in theater. For more information on how to prepare for MC4 training at CRC, read “What do I need to do to prepare for CRC?”