A method of capturing instrument data using a communications device includes sending an actuation signal to a camera to take a photograph of at least one instrument, one of either transmitting or receiving a trigger message between the communications device and the at least one instrument, storing the photograph in a memory on the communications device, determining associated information for the photograph, and transmitting the photograph, associated information and user information to a network. A communications device has a camera having an actuator, at least one communications link, a memory, and a processor configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to: send an actuation signal to the camera to take a photograph of an instrument when a user activates the actuator; send a trigger message to the instrument to save instrument data; store the photograph in the memory with associated information about the photo including user information; and transmit at least the photo, associated information, and the user information to a remote location.