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I was wondering if anyone uses Swift Text Expander or any other cheaper Expanders (if there are any). I am going to start doing some IC work besides my full-time job. I am going to be paid hourly but I would like an expander just because I am so used to using it now I would be lost without it. I currently use what is built into my work system now and do not any experience with others. I am only going to do this extra work minimally so didn't know if it would be worth investing in a more expensive expander or if I could get by with a cheaper one. Any info/ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any info.

a deadly form of cancer. She has undergone 5 chemo treatments and undergoing major surgery on Friday to remove a lemon-sized tumor on her kidney. This story broke my heart. In the article it read that she will undergo 2 stem cell transplants costing 300,000 to 500,000 a piece and her family needs help.  They do have insurance, but they will be stuck with whatever insurance does not cover.

So, I forwarded the article to everyone on my email list (plent of them) along with a note stating that if everyone in the city and surrounding city in which we live just gives 25.00 to 50.00 (those who CAN give, not those who simply can't), then we could take care of this precious girl and family!  It's times like this when you see the true nature and heart of a person. I have a sister in law whom 3 years ago wrote me this NASTY email after I sent her and many others a email stating that our soldiers were looking for certain items during the start of the Iraq war.  She told me NOT to bother her with such nonsense.  How cruel can one be? Anyways, I did not send her this article and I won't let idiots intimidate me when all I want to do is help this poor girl!!

I even went so far as to contacging a local web hosting company asking them for a free website for this little girl so that those all across the country can give to this family. And I also thought it would be a great way for the family to share with family and friends across the globe on Chloe's progress and updates!  We'll see.

I am going to contact the familyl (after praying about it) and ask if they mind me doing such a thing! I don't think she has a website....
The story broke my heart and I just feel compelled to DO SOMETHING.  I have 3 precious children.  The thought of any one of them dying from cancer is too much to even bear!   I will keep you updated on what the web hoster(s) say about me wanting them to provide a free Chloe website! Cross your fingers and pray for her too.

Hey, I'm back on the apartment scene, but this time with three little ones.  I was told when I moved in that there was a pregnant girl living alone upstairs from me.  Okay, fine.  Well, in fact, it's her, a 2 yo, and a man.  Manager and staff must not be aware of all of them and that seems dangerous to me as we were warned to tell of anyone who would be staying chronically.  I assumed in case of fire or other emergency. 

Anyway, she is a stomper.  I realize that she is pregnant and/or may just be a heavy walker, but she is up at 6 am and doesn't go to bed until midnight.  She does not work.  I am trying my darndest to get my typing done while my kids are napping and in bed for the night.  The stomping has a tendency to be a distraction while I'm working.  It's also keeping my kids from relaxing.  No sleep = no work.  I think she takes the baby to daycare because he isn't there all day, just her and she moves around constantly from room to room.  I am doing a very good job of keeping our noise level way down for other tenants.  Oh and, Ugh, I haven't even gotten to the worst part.  My 4 yo daughter and I share a room and my son and other daughter also share a room.  My bedroom is directly below the neighbor's.  You guessed it, wild s-e-x anywhere from 11 pm to midnight when she retires.  Loud moaning and groaning with wall banging, etc.  It continues to wake us all.  Thankfully, my children haven't asked about it.  They just stir and go back to sleep.  She is very entitled to her private life, but it seems to be more of a performance to me.  She may not know I and other can hear her, but common sense would seem to dictate that if she can hear others, they can hear her.  What would you all do?  I have seen her face to face and she commented on my having 3 kids.  I don't want to tell on her to the manager here.  That's bad form, plus she could get nuts on me and I don't want that.  I figure we'll get used to the stomping.  Ugh, again, I'm going in circles.  Should I just get over it?  My church friends say I should bang on the ceiling during her nightly romps.  That's seems in bad taste also.  I just don't know.  Geez, this is my only beef right now.  That's huge for me.  Thanks. 

I have heard it is difficult to get our transcribed microsoft word reports into any type of EMR (electronic medical record) type of setup.

Is this true?

If we just change the program we type on before we send it to the office for the office to put into an electronic chart (which they say will be mandated by about 2010 or so) -- would that make it possible?

Many docs are not happy to have to do their own corrections etc.

Also a few years ago there was already a program where the docs signed off electronically for their reports.  NOW IT'S LIKE SOME BIG HAIRY DEAL for them to do it.

Seems like we are going backwa5rds

HELP.

would love to hear from anybody who has already met this problem and figured it out -- either send an email or ans here - would be so appreciated.  Thanks.

where they don't use the postal code standard of two caps; i.e. CA instead of CA for California?

I immediately delete any application that comes to me if it contains gross error. I'm just blown away when I see MTs and LTs with 5+ years of experience who use the "Ca" formatting. Before I blast away this latest applicant, I thought I'd stop to check if there's something out there that I'm unaware of. Out of the 12+ resumes I'm getting a day lately, at least two will contain this error so now I'm questioning myself.

Hi,

I am wondering if there are other MTs out there with multiple sclerosis and how they are doing dealing with a chronic illness and working in the MT field.  Also, are you working full-time, part-time, IC?  I have only one year experience but am considering returning to the field. 

Thanks,

MSMOM

This is just to funny not to share:

"The patient may have had a decrease in weight due to a decrease in appetite and weight loss."

Really!  I never would have figured that weight loss would result in decrease in weight!  How about that?!

My employer wants me to try using an ergonomic keyboard and supplied me with a Belkin model. 

I tried it for a couple of hours and despised it, so I switched back to my regular HP keyboard.

Has anyone else tried a Belkin ergonomic keyboard, and if so, did you find you had to literally slam your thumb into the space bar in order to have it work correctly? 

Since I don't like this one, I'm sure they'll want to order me another type.  Besides the Kinesis Advantage (which I think they would deem too expensive),  any recommendations for an ergonomic keyboard with a nice light touch? 

TIA, ladies!!!

I just have to vent about companies that keep track of your actual "typing time" and then say you are not putting in your 40 hours.  I always come up short and not by just a few hours.  They have said I worked only 60 hours when I worked 80.  But they say "their system is not wrong."

For one thing when you look up old reports or do research on-line or if you walk to the fridge, that shouldnt count as "not working" as long as you are getting your line rate.  Also something is wrong because I dont take that much time looking up things.

Also how can they get by with making you work 40 hours when you are paid "production?"  This is wrong.  Either pay me by the hour or leave me alone!!

what is the "verbal" test entail for transcription radiology?

would you please email me? i was wondering if you could help me with dns, i have questions about dns and working in templates.  it seems that you've had great luck with this product so i was hoping that you might know how to guide me.  TIA!!!!

first letter in the next word is capped.   There is no period so don't know why it caps.  Anyone know how to fix it. I'm new to ShortHand and I really HATE it.   My company offers a short class in it, but they want me to have more experience with it before I take the class. 

medical words whatsoever and you have to add everything.  Why in the world would the AAMT support this product and not any of the others? I spent over 160.00 on this product and my productivity has increased by ZERO.

I emailed for a refund and have heard nothing. I just hope that when I go to "resell" it they allow me with their licensing regulations!

Now I have to spend an extra 200.00 for InstantText which I should have purchased in the beginning - Can you imagine? 500.00 in the hole just to find which expander is best for you??/ I am highly livid right now. 

Anyone have any info on billing and coding that would help me choose a school or program, also if there is opportunity to work from home?

This morning, she came in my office and brought me a flyer...

HEADING:

Medical Transcription Services at 7.6 cents per line...

Extraordinary Quality Medical transcription at 7.6 cents per line (65 character line)

24-hour Turn Around Time (TAT) compliant

2-4 hour Turnaround available on request

Secure and fully HIPAA complant

HIghly experienced Medical Transcription Staff will ensure that your transcription is completed efficently with the highest level of quality.

yada...yada...yada....on and on with their ad...

How can a company possibly work for this?  Wonder what the transcriptionists get paid? Would this be outsourced??  I wanted to ask these questions, but our manager doesn't care about anything but the dollar. I've been here 17 years and the work load is overwhelming. So am I threatened, YES! Should I be?

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050819/phf024.html?.v=22

See above webpage, especially 'Operating Income' (most recent) toward bottom.

You're a remote hospital employee working at home making 20/h (roughly 17/cpl) plus incentive.  Your department is at risk for outsource to vendors (12/cpl) and you know your work is slowly being outsourced to them.  Coming from in house, you know when the bulk of the work comes in, and you know the vendors don't like working the weekend, so you know you could take home more.  I'm not going to include the favortism and all the other nonesense because you get them with any company.  Would you give up your medical/dental benefits and just put money on the side with the extra money you make even though you would have to pay almost $300/mo to cover for individual medical/dental coverage?  I'm pretty healthy but I am 38 years old.  My son is also covered under his dad who has great medical/dental coverage, so I'm not worried about him.  I know if I did go for an IC posiiton, I would ask for the 17/cpl.  Would you do it? Or do I need a couple slaps?  My right mind is telling me to stay at least until our department is completely outsourced because I'm still getting hourly pay even if I run out of work.

Somebody?  Thanks for all the responses.  I think I know what you all would say, but I need more convincing.