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Pressured to work Holiday - Posted By: Anon

Anyone else feel pressured to work holidays? When hired, I made it clear I would not be working holidays, however, the inevitable e-mail about being out of TAT comes my way today and how if scheduled, you are expected online. Don't plan on working it because it was made clear at time of hiring, I would not work holidays. Another benefit of working at home -- pressured to work Holidays. I'm just venting and I guess I'm crabby too!

Does Smartype work w/ Escription - Posted By: thanks

Just wondering. Thanks

Time Code Stamps - Posted By: Dan Edge

Hello All,

For any of you who have had to time code transcripts:

Would it be helpful to have an MS Word application that prints an automated time code stamp? I ask because a programmer friend of mine and I have discussed writing a program to do this, and I'm wondering how useful it would be to you all.

This is how we envision it working: First, you complete the transcript. Then you open the Time Code Stamper in Word, and start going through the audio again. Suppose you want to put a stamp every 15 seconds. When you press a certain keystroke combination (ctrl-shift-f1, for instance), the program inserts a time code stamp in the format you specify. Then you fast-forward the audio to the next 30-second increment. When you find the correct place in the transcript for the next time stamp, you put you cursor on the spot and execute the Time Code Stamper program again. It will automatically increment the time by 30 seconds (or whatever increment you specify) and print the stamp. If you make a mistake, you can click on the menu and manually set the correct time.

I tested this out once with a very simple version of the program, placing time codes in a transcript every 15 seconds, and I was able to complete the whole document in about a quarter of the audio time (e.g., 5 minutes to complete 20 minutes of audio). The few errors I made I was able to fix very quickly and move on.

Like I said, we haven�t actually built a full version of this program yet, I just wanted to get some feedback from the people who could actually be using it. We�re thinking of selling it for $29 or so. What do you think?

If this particular program would not be helpful for you, do you all have any requests for Word formatting programs that would help you? We�re trying to think of different widgets that would be of use to transcriptionists.

Thanks,

Dan Edge
i.am.dan.edge@gmail.com

Any OSI or Transcend MTs out there? (sm) - Posted By: Decision needed.

Have tested for both. Any pros and cons from either (or both) would be greatly appreciated. TIA..

x versus X - Posted By: Anne Davis

I need to know if it should be x or X. IE 8 mm X 7 mm.

Opinions/impressions, please, on wording enclosed. - Posted By: sm

Please help me with the wording of this letter that I am seriously considering sending to one of my offices:

Please inform Dr. XXX that in the future any dictations that are done in the swimming pool area, karate room, cafeteria or other public venues will not be transcribed by this service. This decision has been made due to the fact that the dictation is difficult to hear and understand because of the amount of background noise.

Additionally, I believe this to be a breech of the confidentiality of patient records that are mandated by HIPAA and I do not agree to be a part of such violation.

Any future dictations that are submitted by this physician which have been done in the above-named situations will not be transcribed by this service and will be immediately discarded.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Sincerely,

(end)

There is a new doctor in one of the practices with small children and she's one of those who is trying to be supermom. (That's a whole other issue.) I have transcribed for two other (male) doctors in this practice for over 15 years without anything like this. I have twice now asked the office manager to tell her about this situation and it improved for a short while but today I had 18 minutes of very loud swim practice in the background. Her solution appears to be talk louder and I've got one HUGE headache after listening to her. I don't understand why she has to be right there instead of even finding a quiet spot to do this while the kids are occupied but she apparently thinks they can't be out of her sight. (I know they're unsupervised, either; I can hear the coach shouting.) Among the reasons listed above, I really want to say that I think this is just flat out disrepectful of both patients and myself but I don't think it is wise to get that personal. I really don't want to lose this practice but I honestly am not willing to put up with this nonsense from her anymore, either.

Thanks in advance for any HELPFUL suggestions you might have. If you're not willing to help, that's fine, too, but please keep the mean stuff to yourself.

Another good one on Guru today. Pay is $25 per AUDIO hour. - Posted By: el cheapo de Guru

With a 30-minute unpaid AUDIO test file. It sounds as if somebody got behind on their work and needs people to do it for free or minimum wage. Egads! What cheapos! I did an AUDIO hour tape this past weekend and made $100 off it. I could have charged more since it was a weekend stat but I gave the guy a break.

QA position better option? - Posted By: Tessa

I know this was discussed to some degree recenty, but I can't seem to find the posts now.

For someone having trouble making line counts, is a QA position a better option?

What is the pay like, and are there any quotas? What all (typically) comes with this type of position? It would seem that it might be very stressful as far as all the blanks left due to horrible dictators and such.

Due to various circumstances, my MT position is very stressful and nonlucrative right now. I really need a mental and financial break of some sort before I crack, and a QA position might be an option.

Information and advice greatly appreciated!

Would you take this job? - Posted By: If you were me...

State has opening for MT at a hospital three hours away from me. I am 48 and been at this since 19. It is my only skill. Am wondering if I should make some sacrifices for this 29,000/yr job (relocating to a small town and selling my home) to ensure I have a future with an income and benefits. Am working two jobs now, one with national and IC for a clinic which is EMR and templates (they are slashing my income as I type this every way they can).

The hospital is a prison hospital for sexually violent predators. The location is in the middle of nowhere. But, is for state of California and have taken tour of facility (brand new) and it has state of the art equipment and the people there seem very professional.

What would you do if you were me? Thanks. I dread making a mistake at this point in my life and have no one to talk to about this who understands what is happening in our field.

What if you don't have professional references? - Posted By: Applying for a job

Hi all! I just applied for a job and the questionnaire asks for professional references. I don't have any.

Working at home, I only had contact with immediate supervisors, and all the coworkers know each other only via chat forums. How does one handle the professional references issue? TIA.

My daughter head on the radio yesterday - Posted By: AMERICAN IDOL FAN

that Constatine M. is dating Kelly Pickler. Maybe that is why he was in the audience. Did you also see Jasmine in the audience?

getting own clients - Posted By: no name

Does anyone have a sample letter that I can look at to try to get my own accounts? I would really appreciate the help if there is anyone willing. I just need something to get an idea of what to cover in a letter just to get my foot in the door.

Thanks in advance.

s/l radioblation...? - Posted By: Laura P. Cash

Would this be correct instead of 2 words? Thanks

Thinking about changing worktypes - Posted By: jlo

I think I'm in the minority here, but I'd much rather do long reports than quick short ones. Right now I'm doing prog notes/fups/etc but I also get a few psych notes here and there. I'd much rather do 4-5 30min psych notes than 50 2-min clinic notes a day but I found out that that clinic is leaving so I won't be getting those any longer. Should I just my manager that I want the longer reports and hope she'll find me something else? Or just keep my mouth shut and keep chugging along?

Do any of you IC's use accounting software? - Posted By: mtathome

If so, which do you recommend. My SIL does my taxes. I can get by with just listing everything down, but if software will make it easier for both of us, that would be great. I have an old copy of Quickbooks, I think 1999, that I bought when I was going to be an IC before and never did use. I have Microsoft Money 2005. I know the Money is mostly for personal finances. Now I find myself an IC because I had to have a job immediately, and this is what I found.

What color is the background of your screen for - Posted By: work? Mine is white, but it's too bright. nm

nm

This question is probably as old as the hills... - Posted By: Confused

but...is there any difference tax-wise for IC vs staturory employee for someone who does transcription from home?

EXSpeech Nuance correction keystrokes - Posted By: MT wonders

Editing questions- which Keystrokes actually corrects the documents in the Correction Client, therefore, correcting the terms to the future to that dictator. Does Ctrl D and transcribing the correction cause Correction Client to sit up and take notice. Can you block the text with Ctrl K, Ctrl J, Ctrl-Shift K, and Ctrl-Shift J and start transcribing the correction (will Correction Client see that). Thank you.

I have maxed out AutoCorrect and love it--any - Posted By: L Beilstein

suggestions? I want something SIMPLE like AutoCorrect, which I just love and wish I could get more in there, but apparently I cannot.

Need something fast and easy, easy to add to while typing, etc. Fast and easy and that blips out really fast, like AutoCorrect.

Question for Lanier/Cphone users...please... - Posted By: Laura

I have a Lanier LX219 that I just hooked up. I have it all programmed (I believe) correctly. I am having a problem with the pedal though. I can play the dictation but I cannot for the life of me figure out the rewind or fast forward on the pedal. It just beeps at me. Do I have something programmed wrong? Does anyone know what I have done wrong? Thanks for any advice.

~Laura

oracle transcription, inc - Posted By: marcia

Hi, does anyone know any facts about oracle transcription (OCI). Is there enough work? How is the sound quality?

Thanks

Escription and satellite....sm - Posted By: LuvDAS

Has anyone used satellite internet and worked on Escription? I am hoping this will work as satellite is my only option for internet.

HELP with C phone - Posted By: TiredOTyping

Hello, I purchased a c-phone online and it was sent without instructions. I am supposed to begin working today but the phone has no display window. I cannot find a button for a speakerphone option, plug in the headset and it does not work, and I do not know what to do. I've checked online for documentation but cannot find any. Can someone please help me. It is a model DA-1270, has no display window again. Thanks

How do I disable Shorthand for more than - Posted By: 1 entry at a time? See message

I know Esc stops one entry at a time, but sometimes (and I can't think where at the moment), ShortHand in general works but hitting Esc causes problems and throws me out of my document..

And for instance, if I'm typing here on MT Stars and I don't want Shorthand to work at all, do I have to pull up the Shorthand box and uncheck AutoReplace, or is there a quick keystroke that acts as a toggle?

Memory problems... - Posted By: PAMT

In the last year or so, I have noticed I am having problems with my short-term memory. Not just the usual walking into a room and wondering, "Now, why did I come in here?"

although I do that, too. My work space is in my basement and unless I write something down as soon as I think of it, by the time I walk up the stairs, it's gone. I was at my GYN this spring and told her about it. She tested my blood sugar and did a thyroid panel and they were fine. I just turned 39, so I feel like I am too young for this. I have no trouble remembering medical terms for work or with remembering things from years ago, it's just the day-to-day stuff that I feel I should be able to remember and just can't. My husband just laughs but I am so frustrated!

help on word board please! - Posted By: ginny

Does anyone know how to set up Word.... - Posted By: Need Help

so that there is only 1 space after a period? I have several accounts to type on, but one requires only 1 space after period. TIA!!

MT Week Offer from Spellex - Posted By: Spellex

In honor of National Medical Transcription Week (May 18 - 24), Spellex is offering a 50% discount on selected Spellex products.

**Get 50% off regular prices!**

Simply visit http://www.spellex.com/quiz.htm and complete our medical spelling quiz.

All medical transcriptionists who complete the medical spelling quiz will receive a coupon code for a 50% discount on any Spellex single user product during National MT Week.

Once again, congratulations to all Medical Transcriptionists for the important work you do!

Spellex - http://www.spellex.com

Philips Transcription Station and Vonage - Posted By: Lisa

Years ago, I used a Philips Digital Transcription Station to get my MT work. It would plug into my landline jack and then I could dial in to get the jobs to transcribe. This week, the machine has returned since I am trying to help out someone with their work. Unfortunately, I no longer have a landline. I switched to Vonage over the summer. When I try to connect, it dials the phone number, I hear the computer voice that tells me to enter my ID # and then when I do that it is supposed to validate my number and show me the available jobs. It starts the validating process but then times out and hangs me up. Has anyone had problems like this and if so have you been able to fix it.....help please!!!

For you married folks, how did you meet? sm - Posted By: Happy camper

Through friends/family? At school? Met each other at the grocery store when you reached for the same loaf of bread at the same time? Through an internet dating site?

New Sony MDR-NC7 squeezing my head - Posted By: hurting ears

They are comfy at first but after about 20 minutes my ears are killing me and the sound is not as great as I was hoping. Are there any other ideas. I thought about the Koss portapro or sportapro but don't know anything about them either. I have been using a cheap GE pair after my dog broke my good pair but have a new account that is impossible to hear on the best of days so I thought now is a good time to get a replacement. Unfortunately the Sony's just aren't the ones I'm looking for. I can't handle anything over this price range though.

Lanier - Posted By: deenibeeni

Is it possible to get Lanier voice files with anything other than a Lanier? I tried calling in on a Dictaphone, but it doesn't work. Seems like I remember someone posting about this, but I can't remember how she said it was done.

Thanks.

Got my chuckle for the night, doc talking about breath sounds - sm - Posted By: Laura E.

and how the lungs were clear, etc. then the next sentence is "the patient is currently not breathing", just funny after the previous sentences on his lung sounds. Also diagnosed at age 2, however the child is only 14 months old, hmmm, nice trick there! Presume he means 2-months but will have to question it though since he did not say!

Fill in the blank: You know you're getting old when....sm - Posted By: Just me

1. For me, when a person I used to babysit from infancy until school age has completed his internal medicine residency and is in a private medical practice.

2. When I get up in the morning my knees and back crack so much that you can hear them at times in the next room (daughter asks "what's that cracking noise" will confirm this!)

do computers make you feel sick? - Posted By: Daniel

hey, i was just wondering if any of you transcriptionists dread spending so much time on the computer. Do any of you get headaches, or other discomforts from the EMFS or the chemcials outgassed from the computer?

I have a blog where I post info about outgassed chemicals from computers. if you get bad feelings from computers It might be because of the outgassed flame retardants and other chemicals.

http://www.outgasreport.com

tendonitis relief - Posted By: hardatwork

I'm looking for ideas for symptomatic relief of tendonitis, sleeping in a brace doesn't seem to be helping much. The pain started in my left pinky finger and is now traveling up toward my elbow. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

IE down sm - Posted By: tired

I cleaned up a second backup computer and believe I lost internet explorer. Tried to restore to an earlier date and said cannot do. Can't get on the internet at all. I depend on this computer for personal stuff. I think compressing files killed the IE, can still use all the Microsoft programs. Get a cannot display page. Any ideas? TIA

Schooling - Posted By: LG

How do you tell someone who is looking at schools that they should only go with the top 3? I learned the hardway and I am enrolled in M-Tec currently. I am sure you can get jobs from other schools but I personally would like the opportunity for the job placement.

Questions about creating a bid proposal... - Posted By: Sampriss

I am fairly new to the business. I am currently transcribing part-time for a local clinic. I learned that the clinic will be accepting bids for a new contract position. I have never drawn up a bid. Do not know the first thing about it. I have someone who can help me with that. What I would appreciate any suggestions or advice on are:

1. What to charge per line? Will picking up and dropping off tapes at 3 sites. Will be transcribing outpatient clinic and radiology reports.

2. Turn around time? Current contractor has 3 days. The contract in place states 24 hours but they have been lenient lately.

3. Would it be accurate to figure 30% for taxes and 20% for benefits?

I appreciate any and all advice. Anything I have forgotten, please let me know!

Thank you for suggestions.

Just wondering what everyone thinks about this... - Posted By: Pooped

I work in the office. We are being taken over by a larger hospital. The larger facility is putting their people in the management positions, which is fine. At our smaller hospital, we have not had the opportunity to work from home, but with the merger, the plan is to send us all home to work by the end of the year and I think that is fabulous! What concerns me is this, they watch their at-home people like hawks. They actually print out a daily report on each Transcriptionist (40+) that lists every single job they did that day and how long they spent in each report typing. So, say you have a 5 minute H&P and you took 30 minutes to type it, they basically call you up and want to know why it took you so long to type this report. Their reasoning is they pay us hourly and they don't want to pay us for sitting at home watching television. I completely understand that, but I am a very productive MT and really don't like the idea of having to account for every minute of my day if I am producing at least the minimum. Having said that, they also offer a very nice incentive plan where we get a per line rate for anything above the minimum. So why the need to micromanage like they do?

In my opinion, if your people are producing at least the minimum and if you have a very competitive incentive plan in place, then why not just check productivity on everyone at the end of each pay period and counsel anyone not producing at least the minimum and if necessary, take disciplinary action and just leave it at that? Why check every single report to make sure we aren't taking too long on one report and risk upsetting your productive MTs who maybe got distracted by a phone call or something on that one report, but still produced what they were supposed to produce when the day was done?

I've been looking around at other jobs just to see what is out there and have lined up some very promising prosects, but none that offer an incentive plan comparable to the one at my current job. I just wonder is the incentive money worth the added stress of having someone virtually looking over my shoulder all day long? They are definitely sending the message that we are going to be asked to justify every bathroom break, every sinle distraction throughout our day, no matter if we get the job done or we don't.

Just wondered what insight other MTs might have on this issue.

What is the best ergonomic keyboard? - Posted By: Janine

I used to use a DataHand, but they are out of production now and I'm so disappointed. What is everyone else using?

PT word list - Posted By: bj

Is there anyone out there that could give me a website with a good terminology list for Physical Therapy? Thanks a bunch!

Need tech help with DocQScribe - Posted By: Just Me

I just started working for a service that uses DocQScribe and for another service as well and use the same foot pedal for both. However, I noticed that when I log into DocQScribe and start to play the dictation file, it will start to play and then suddenly jump back to the beginning of the dictation. The footpedal that I currently use is an Infinity IN-USB-1. Or is DocQScribe the type of program that tends to conflict with other programs?

TIA

Disc vs. Disk - Very interesting - Posted By: oldwoman

I don't know who wrote this, but I found it online long ago. Since I was told I was spelling "disc" wrong by other MTs (never by a doctor), I decided to research this matter and found this at http://www.stedmans.com/MTFeaturePrint.cfm/1324.

disc vs disk

a 4-letter word

To what extent should one research the spelling of a word when there is more than one way to spell it? I suppose the answer would depend on a number of things, not the least of which is how much time one has to invest in word research. Productivity and therefore one�s pay suffers when ears, hands, and feet leave their transcription mode for any period of time.

If the word in question is a mere 4-letter word, it seems reasonable to believe that any one of respected resources would provide an appropriate spelling, so why bother with much research. Let�s face it, four-letter-word vocabularies are usually subject to more creative spellings than misspellings. However, because I was working on a special project, I decided to put to rest, once and for all time, the correct spelling of disc/disk as used in surgical dictation for a lumbar discectomy/diskectomy. Four hours and several resources later, I was sure I had my answer.

Au contraire.

I began my search in Stedman�s Medical 27^thEdition. It is after all my medical dictionary of choice. Clearly the preference for disc/disk when referring to the spine is �disc.� I disagreed. My preferred spelling was �disk� for all things spinal, so I checked the AMA Manual Style. To my delight, they agreed with me. In fact, it clearly states that one should use �disc� for ophthalmologic terms and �disk� for the remainder of the anatomy.

Dr. Dirckx, noted medical language expert, explained disc/disk it in an article that appears in the January 2002 issue of JAAMT. His article begins, �As you have no doubt discovered, reference works show a striking lack of consistency in the spelling of this term.� Amen to that!

I almost always use Vera Pyle�s book for confirmation, she being the all-time guru and grande dame of medical vocabulary. I couldn�t believe my eyes. She directs that one use �disk� when transcribing ophthalmologic dictation and �disc� for the remainder of the anatomy.

All right, the gloves came off. Next stop, the revered AAMT Book of Style. �We recommend the spelling disk for all anatomic and surgical references �� I was satisfied and feeling pretty smug, so I declared the victory to a member of Stedman�s staff and suggested that the Stedman�s Dictionary team look into changing �disc� preference to �disk� in their new edition.

It is a good feeling to be right, and I was feeling real good. That is, until the S27 research team took my suggestion and consulted the world experts in medical terminology. Who are they? �They� are the Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology, and �they� are the final word. Chairman Ian Whitmore states that Latin is the basis for the world's official terminology as found in Terminologia Anatomica (TA). Want to know more about TA? It is explained in S27 and makes interesting reading.

And just what do the world experts say about disk/disc? Disc is in for all things medical; disk is out. Why? Because Latin terms have official status and, though the origin of the word is from the Greek term �diskos, the Latin derivation is �discus.�

So, my fellow word junkies, if you have always used �disk� as your preferred spelling in all things anatomical, today is the day to change because �disc� is correct in the eyes of the world.

Anyone use - Posted By: MT4eight

a Comfort Keyboard? I just called them and they recommended the Comfort Keyboard, but it's $279. Just wanted anyone's opinion on this. I wanted to make sure it's a good thing and they're not just trying to sell me their most expensive keyboard.

making the public aware of outsourcing - Posted By: suggestion

What if we all wrote to our local newspapers (letter to the editor) and let them know about this practice? If people inquired of their physicians after reading the letter and found out their medical records are available outside of the country, maybe they might help in the fight by putting some pressure on the docs. Just a thought.

For those of you who are ICs - Posted By: (sm)

I'm wondering if you receive all work from an individual work source at the same time each day (i.e. one doctor's office, one national, one local MTSO) -- understanding that if you have more than one source that each one may give the work at a different time of day? I'm curious because one company I receive work from can on one day distribute my work at 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. and then the next they might distribute a batch at 10:00 a.m. or earlier, and the next at 7:30 or 8:00 a.m., etc. Now, we have an agreed upon turnaround time of 24 hours and an agreed upon minutes per day of dictation, which is sometimes exceeded and I am fine with that if it is not a whole lot. I originally accepted a part-time position and agreed to 60 minutes per day.

At any rate, I am just wondering if others encounter this, as I find it difficult to plan anything at all because of their varying assignment times. Just wondering how you guys handle it. Perhaps I should mention too that in my case I am not the only Transcriptionist on the account that I work.

Thanks for any responses!

Memorial Day, thank you.... - Posted By: Carly d

to those of you fighting for our freedom, those who have been lost defending our freedom, and to those of you who have loved ones all over the world protecting our freedom. I hope everyone takes the time to remember those who have served and are serving now. The day is not about barbeques, OT pay, store sales or a three day weekend for some!

To The Singing MT - Posted By: Listenup

Thanks for your nice note a few pages back. I had the pleasure of seeing Jill in her home town of Philly when she was touring with Sting a few years ago--amazing! BTW, one of the entertainment shows was playing "Golden" last night while they were talking to some of the Golden Globe winners--it was perfect!

Dictaphone Platform Help - Posted By: jm0508

Can anyone help me? I am trying to find a job and I have noticed alot of employers are looking for Dictaphone platform experience, EXtext experience?