1.1 This guide identifies ways to improve the quality of healthcare documentation through the dictation process. This guide will assist dictating authors (physicians, physician assistants, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals) in facilitating their use of dictation in the healthcare environment, that is, hospital, clinic, physician practice, or multi-campus healthcare system.

1.2 This guide will aid in the continuity of patient care, privacy and confidentiality issues, risk management issues, optimal coding for reimbursement, compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, and turnaround time.

1.3 The complexity of the language of medicine, the dynamics of the healthcare environment, and the sophistication of the dictation systems present a formidable challenge for dictating authors. This guide will facilitate a quality dictation message.

1.4 This guide does not address the medical transcription process.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.