Dictate, edit, and sign a report

  • 3 minutes

PowerScribe One uses a workflow that centers on the Report Editor, where you create, review, and edit reports before finalization.

  • Report Editor: The workspace where dictation, editing, and formatting occur. You open it by selecting or double-clicking an order.
  • Speech recognition: Converts spoken dictation into text in real time. You control dictation using microphone buttons and/or voice commands.
  • AutoText: Predefined templates or phrases that help standardize common findings and reduce manual typing and repetitive dictation.
  • Speech Menu: Provides voice command guidance, vocabulary management, and dictation help tools.

Workflow dependencies

  • You must have an order to begin reporting.
  • Your role (Attending, Resident, or Editor) determines whether you create, edit, or finalize the report. In this module, you're functioning as an Attending.
  • Dictation, editing, and quality checks occur before signing.

Dictate and edit a report

  • Use speech recognition for efficiency when documenting findings or voice command usage.
  • Use keyboard input for precision edits, corrections, and formatting updates.
  • Combine both methods to reduce errors and improve speed.

Follow these steps to dictate, edit, and prepare a report for next steps:

  1. Open the report

    • Locate the order in your integrated worklist or PowerScribe search results.
    • If using an integrated worklist, the Report Editor screen opens automatically.
    • If you're opening from the PowerScribe explorer screen, double-click the order or select Open Report.
    • Decision point:
      • Use AutoText to generate the clinically relevant structure for your report.
      • Use manual dictation for patient-specific observations.

  2. Insert structured content

    • Add templates or macros using AutoText:
      • Select a template from the AutoText results pane, and then use voice commands such as Insert/Insert that or Replace/Replace that to create the report.
      • Or, select Insert in the AutoText preview window.

  3. Start dictation

    • Activate the microphone (activation is configured in your preferences):
      • Press and hold the record button (Deadman), or
      • Press once to toggle dictation on or off (Toggle on / off).
    • Begin speaking clearly to populate the report text where your cursor is placed.

    Tip

    Speak in complete phrases and dictate punctuation to improve recognition accuracy.

  4. Use speech tools and commands

    • Open the Speech Menu by using the What can I say voice command for guidance on available voice commands.
    • Use commands to:
      • Navigate sections
      • Insert or correct text
      • Invoke AutoText
      • Format content
      • Activate Quality Report tools

  5. Edit the report

    • Review the dictated text for accuracy.
    • Use the keyboard to:
      • Make minor edits.
      • Adjust formatting.
      • Refine wording.
    • Use the mouse or voice commands to highlight misrecognized text and redictate to achieve reporting accuracy.

  6. Apply a basic spell check

    • Run spellcheck from the Review menu.
    • Address spelling errors and incomplete phrases.

    Important

    Spellcheck is set to run by default at report sign off.

  7. Prepare the report for next steps

    • Confirm that all sections are complete and accurate.
    • Ensure templates and inserted content reflect the correct findings.
    • Choose the appropriate next action:
      • Sign: Queue the report for distribution to downstream systems (EMR or EHR).
      • Draft: Select Draft to save a report that isn't ready to be signed. The report appears in your Drafts queue.
      • Overread: Assigns the current report to another user for final validation to ensure report quality.
      • Prelim: Sends a preliminary, non-final version of the report to the EMR and routes it to the Pending signature queue for final signature later.
      • Correct: If enabled at your site, select Correct to send the report to an editor for review. The editor makes updates and returns the report to you for signing.

Applied scenario

You're reviewing a chest imaging study. You open the assigned order in the Report Editor. You insert a standard normal findings template using AutoText. You dictate findings using your microphone, describing observations clearly. You edit the report by using keyboard edits or voice commands to reflect the desired changes. You run spellcheck to correct any spelling errors. You confirm the report is complete and ready for quality checks and signing. This workflow helps you produce a consistent, accurate report efficiently.