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Weird question for you MTs - Posted By: sm

Do you ever notice when you have your head phons on that sometimes your ears itch inside really bad, like you can feel water moving inside? REALLY!

I just had accupressure - Posted By: Kung fu massage

This little Chinese lady just opened a massage place up the street. It was no fun. It felt like she was putting flames to my back, but boy do I feel better.... She called it kung fu massage. You don't realize how bad your back gets.

Words printing too small - Posted By: What is happening here?

Trying to type a letter in Microsoft Office Word this morning. Noticed when I first started the print seemed extremely large. Nothing that I know of doing that would have caused this. Used the minimizer and brought the words on screen down some. The writing on the screen in big but when I print it off need a magnifer to read. Tried everything but do not know why it is printing so small. Any suggestions on how to remedy this? Thanks.

New Zealand now doing US work....sm - Posted By: MsMT

On a freelance work site, I see where New Zealand is doing US work and needing QA here. This is ridiculous.......wonder how much they get paid.

Just needing a vent. - Posted By: Frustrated!

I've been job hunting, testing, sending out my resume for 2 weeks now and no bites. I'm not a new graduate. I worked for 2 years but have not worked MT for a little over a year now. I have 3 toddlers and finally am able to have enough time to work full-time again. My family really needs the extra income right now and I'm finding it very frustrating that so far I am not able to contribute. We live in a very rural area and driving into town for a job plus daycare for 3 toddlers would kill any income I'd get.

I get answers from companies saying I have a good resume, experience, and even tested well but they are only hiring people with #+ years RECENT experience.

*sigh* I'll just keep looking, emailing/faxing resumes, and testing... one will want me eventually.

/rant.

SharpHearing - Posted By: Thelma

Needing info about www.sharphearingtec.com; the organization is

Question sm - Posted By: MQMT

I really think my part-time job wants me to quit because they don't want to fire me because they would have to pay me unemployment. I am an IC and I would not think that they would have to pay unemployment. Is that right? It is just they have done everything in their power to make my job miserable and I need the extra money for Christmas and don't want to quit until after Christmas. Starting a new job right now would not be a good thing to do having to learn all the accounts, formats, etc. Thanks for any help in this.

Can you use the same eScription software - Posted By: Rachel

to type for 2 different IC accounts? Can I use the same EditScript to do both jobs with separate facility names?

Foot pedal keyboard button? - Posted By: Dayna

I have had trouble with my feet while working the foot pedal. One of the services I worked for had a button attached to their keyboard where they could use that to start and stop the dictation, instead of the footpedal. I know theirs was proprietary, and I couldn't get one from them, but I just wondered if there was something like that out there that could be purchased? Has anybody else heard of this.

You may find this interesting - Posted By: Speech recognition/Radiology

Speech recognition technology shows double-digit error rate
11/30/2006
By: Jonathan S. Batchelor

CHICAGO - A study of radiology reports generated by speech recognition software at a prestigious U.S. academic medical center found that even with fully trained system users the technology was introducing significant errors in almost one out of five signed, final reports.

"We structured a study where we could look at the types of errors and frequency of errors in attending dictated reports using voice recognition software," said Dr. Ronald Dolin, who is from the department of radiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Dolin and his team retrospectively reviewed radiology reports dictated and signed by attending radiologists from February to March 2006 at Thomas Jefferson. According to Dolin, all radiology reports at the institution were generated using PowerScribe 4.7 from Dictaphone/Nuance Communications of Burlington, MA, which had been implemented for 16 months prior to the start of the study.

A total of 395 reports, consisting of five to 10 consecutive reports from each of the 41 attending radiologists, were reviewed, according to the researchers. They categorized the dictation errors into 10 subtypes, such as missing word errors, wrong word errors, extra word errors, nonsense phrase, unclear meaning phrase, or abnormal phrase with meaning intact.

"Errors were classified as significant if they altered or obscured the meaning of the sentence in which they appeared," Dolan said.

A total of 239 errors were identified in 146 of 395 reviewed reports for an overall error rate in final reports of 37%, he reported. In addition, he noted that at least one error was identified in reports from 40 of the 41 attending radiologists at Thomas Jefferson.

The researchers found that missing or extra words that did not alter the meaning of a sentence constituted 113 of the 239 errors, or 47% of the total. This type of error was found in the reports of 33, or 81%, of the attending radiologists, Dolan said.

Other common errors reported by the scientists included the wrong word, which accounted for 21% of the total errors; typographical or grammatical errors accounted for 8.8% of the total; a nonsense phrase with unknown meaning showed up in 11% of the total errors; and an error in the dictation date presented in 2.9% of the erroneous reports.

Most of the speech recognition technology errors, 83%, did not alter the meaning of the report, Dolin noted.

However, the remaining 17% of the errors could have impacted patient care. Significant errors -- errors that could conceivably alter a patient outcome -- accounted for 40 of the 239 error total. He said that significant errors were found in 54% of the attending radiologist reports and that five radiologists had two or more significant errors.

Dolin acknowledged that he set the criteria for classification of significant errors and determined what was and was not a significant error. During a discussion of the research after the presentation, a few audience members vigorously expressed their belief that Dolin's standard for significance had not been inclusive enough.

Rather than being a condemnation of the technology, Dolin believes that his study can provide a method for Quality Assurance and continuing education in the vagaries of speech recognition software. A periodic audit of a relatively small number of radiology reports, such as five to 10 reports per radiologist, can identify significant voice recognition error patterns among the group and by individuals, and can assist in efforts to mitigate these problems, he said.

By Jonathan S. Batchelor
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
November 30, 2006

Dragon Naturally Speaking 8 or 7 (sm) - Posted By: Lilygirl

Has anyone been successful using this software for transcription? I have broken my collar bone and have not been able to xcribe. I can type but cannot extend my arm to using the mouse. Unfortunately, my bills do not stop just because I am injured. I am looking in this avenue till I can be up and xcribing again. Any info on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Asking for Microsoft Key - Posted By: Janice

Trying to use my microsoft office and it is asking for the key? Where do I find that?

Let's try again.....Does anyone - Posted By: watch Days Of Our Lives?

Just trying to get some opinion on the Bo and Hope situation......I am frustrated as heck with it. Let's get your opinion!

What are IMEs? - Posted By: nm

Thanks!

Apprentice finale - Posted By: Romey

Anyone see it and if so what are your thoughts on Randal's not wanting Trump to hire Rebecca, totally lost all respect for him!!!!

Question regarding QA - Posted By: sm

If you have a report that has quite a few blanks in it, whether it be because of ESLs (like my reason for questioning) or background noise, mumblers, etc, should I send my QA a quick email and give her a heads up about it? I've not ever really emailed her, unless there was a discrepancy, so I was wondering about this. I am certain QA is very busy as is, so I would not want to bother her if it's not necessary.

A lot of MTs or no MTs? sm - Posted By: crispycritterMT

I see a lot of posts here about a lot of good MTs looking for work (including myself). Then I see the MTSOs, etc. saying the labor pool is "scarce" and they can't find good MTs. I hear this over and over again, especially from the big Nationals. I'm confused. Isn't it just an excuse to offshore and/or go to VR? Aren't they bothering to look or are they just assuming there is no labor. Where do they get their information?

I don't get it. Or is it because nobody wants to work for the 5 cpl they're offering? What do they expect? Again I'm confused.

Posture - Posted By: jbmt

Just wondering if anyone happens to use a back brace when typing. I have a problem with T7 area and am looking for something to help with slouching. Any ideas?

Texas drivers ~ insurance by the mile.... - Posted By: LMT

Have any of you heard of this? It is auto insurance charged by the miles driven. I got a quote online for myself and it is very reasonable for me but not for the 17-yo.

https://milemeter.com/faq/other

Bose Headphones - Posted By: PSJ

I am really wanting to purchase some Bose headphones, but they are pricey, so I wanted to check here and see if anyone had them and if they are worth the money.

Thank you,

Not testing - Posted By: tia

Has anyone every been hired without being tested first? I was just asked to sign on with a company and start as soon as possible. I've already got ID# and everything. There was only one other company that did require testing but that fell through, could never get the information straight or help with it. Should I be leary of this one too?

WavPlayer help. - Posted By: mom

New to WavPlayer and need to put voice files into WavPlayer from e-mail attachment. Tried dragging and dropping, but did not work. Do I need to save these voice files somewhere else and drag them in to WavPlayer from there. Testing for a new company and can't get past this. Good grief! Off to a bad start. Help please. TIA.

How many men transcriptionists - Posted By: b

are out there? Have been noticing a few men's names lately and was curious as to how many men transcriptionists there are.

medication - Posted By: cj

Anyone ever heard of the intramuscular mega C Penicillin. this is a pt with HIV

Trying to get viewpoints here - Posted By: no flames please

Has anyone noticed lately that more and more MT schools are graduating students that haven't even learned basic information? I'm only saying this because the word boards are starting to have more people asking for help on things that should have been taught as basics in MT school. There are questions like urine shows blood, leukocytes, s/l estrace, and protein. S/l serrus drainage. Subcutaneous s/l influzema (and sent the report as subcutaneous influenza). Lab value that s/l in-i-on gap. I don't want to get into a bashing of schools, companies, or MTs. I'm just wondering how MTs who haven't got this basic knowledge are going to be able to do VR and correct terms if they don't even know them. Do you guys think it is the school that isn't teaching properly or the companies that are hiring without proper education or training? Either way, what impact do you think this will have on VR?

Dictation systems - all input welcome - Posted By: Kim

Hi. Please let me know if I should post this on a different board. The hospital I work for is looking to change dictating/transcribing systems. We have dictaphone extext and are looking at WinScribe, Escription, or really we are wide open.

Does anyone know of a good internet resource that compares the pros and cons?

Would any of you be willing to share your experience, good or bad, with any software you have used?

Is there a forum or a thread that has already covered this you can direct me to to research?

TIA!

My boss asked me to think about taking on a pain clinic. Can anyone tell me sm - Posted By: Nervous

if they have done it in the past? Is it easy? Interesting? Are the reports normally long or short?

TIA

Anybody willing to share your productivity secrets? I've been following the discussion below SM - Posted By: MissouriMT

about MTs who earn $50,000 or more. A lot of the MTs are saying they have really honed their abbreviation Expanders and I was wondering if anyone would care to share exactly what they do with their expanding programs that increases their lines so drastically.

In all honesty, I can type around 200 lph without using any kind of Expander and that's with me sitting and typing nonstop for 8 full hours (and we all know with kids, 8 uninterrupted hours is merely a dream). With my abbreviation expander, I've increased my production drastically, but since I never really type 8 full hours a day, I'll never really know just how drastically. I know that I can do 1700 to 2000 lines a day and only be "timed in" for eight hours. How much of the eight hours I actually type, I really can't say.

I was just wondering what kind of secrets others have to tweak their expanding programs. I mean, instead of doubting those ladies who are making the big bucks, we should be picking their brains. I've been doing this a long time too and I started out transcribing standard size cassettes on a typewriter (yes, a typewriter!). My first abbreviation expander was PRD+ that I used with Word Perfect 5.1 on a DOS based system. I thought I was in heaven!

So I say KUDOS to those ladies who are successful at what they do and I want to know just how you do it so I can do it too. Oh, my paychecks are pretty okay, but who couldn't use more money?

So is Columbus MQ closing? - Posted By: makeTATnotwar

Inquiring minds want 2 know...

I am tired of being turned down.... - Posted By: Tired of waiting...and not good enough

I am new to MT but I am not new to hard work and determination. Companies have turned me down just because I don't have experience. I know I don't have years and years of experience but that doesn't mean I am inapt. I have decided to seek out my own accounts because I am tired of waiting from someone else�s approval. It is scary but I am determined to make this work. I really need your input on what type of doctors I should start with. I was thinking family medicine or psychology since I have experience with medical coding in these areas.

Please offer your honest opinion on how I can make this work. If there is anyone else that has started out as a newbie and is transcribing on his or her own, please reply with advice also.

But if you are going to rude or cruel please don't reply.

Problems posting - Posted By: coyotejoe

Is anyone having problems posting to this board? I keep getting a Syntax error when I go to put in the authenticate numbers and/or letters.

Has anyone else seen a pickup...sm - Posted By: curious girl

in work after the holidays. My work has picked up for sure. It was really slow from about October until now.

Need help! - Posted By: PJ

The doctor seems to be talking about a patient being put in a hospital gown, but instead of gown, she uses a word that sounds like "Cherny". Any thoughts? (Definitely not referring to a gurney).

We're trying to get my father home due to health issues - Posted By: Another issue regarding federal prison...

My father has been at a federal prison camp for a little over a year now. He's been sent to a local hospital six times due to heart troubles. Before going in he had two heart attacks, stents placed, treatment for prostate cancer. He's now also having trouble with his kidneys. We are at our wit's end trying to get him home on house arrest. It was a money/bribery charge (federal). No prior record. Can any one PLEASE help?

thanks

OB qestion on word board - TIA - Posted By: gmg

xx

Computer/digital phone system question - SM - Posted By: Linda

I currently use a Philips digital transcriber system, which I call the number and get my recordings through the phone line. I would like to get a laptop to start doing my work and was wondering if there was some way I could move the recordings to the laptop and just work strictly with the laptop and foot pedal.

If anyone has any information or knows if this can be done, I would appreciate it.

Thank you,

Linda

nn - Posted By: verizon customer question

I have the 450-minute/month plan. I hate to sound stupid, but I don't remember my plan outline. My account is showing I've used 216 anytime minutes and 140 off peak minutes. Does this mean that I add both of those numbers together and deduct from the 450? Or are the off peak minutes not included in the 450 minutes per month? Thanks very much!

C-Phone Question - Posted By: Jan_W

I've been offered a job that requires that I purchase a C-phone. Any recommendations on the least expensive but effective options? I've seen models ranging from $300 to over $1,000. TIA

I just got a really great job typing ortho notes and NO ESL! Yippee! - Posted By: Sharon NM

ppppppppp

IMPORTANT - Real VNC - Posted By: anon

Please ladies. If a company ever ever ever installs this on your computer, get rid of it! The program itself is for technical support but it also can enable a company to get into your system without your knowledge. This happened to me and I caught someone from that company remotely taking over my keyboard and mouse!

All they need to get in is your IP address and they can see your whole screen. I was told by an independent IT person that they can log your Keystrokes and get your financial info if you have it stored. I just had to change all of my banking and credit card accounts and run multiple scans on my computer. I am an IC with my own computer and they installed this to run in the background as soon as I boot up the computer even though for tech support we used an entirely different program.

Yes, I absolutely ended that contract, but I just wanted to let everyone know so the same does not happen to them.

Need help from Cardiology MTs - Posted By: D

I was just put on an account that has tons of cardiac reports, lots of echos and cath reports that I have never done before. Can anyone suggest good references or websites that can help me with this? I'm having a hard time verifying guidwire and stent names. I have 2 surgery books and Stedman's Cardiology, but I can't find everything I need to look up and I'm so overwhelmed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

line count in word - Posted By: kels

Microsoft word line count - what is the name of it and where can I buy it. Also,on a dictaphone, how can i tell how many minutes of dictation i have left.

about stedmans - Posted By: Jewels

Hello, I just went to Word 2007, which is very helpful but now I have no Stedman's. My Stedman's is very old. I was wondering if anyone knows where to get Stedman's O7 or 08 cheaper than 99.00.

Thanks so much. Have a wonderful holiday.

Jewels

MDinTouch platform - Posted By: Angel with an Attitude

Does anyone use MDinTouch? I'm a small MTSO and considering going to this platform and was wondering if anyone had any comments about them, especially in terms of customer service and ease of use. Thanks!!

I have a technical question - Posted By: MT4eight

I'm thinking about getting a new computer, and I think I recall seeing that a lot of companies' platforms aren't compatible with Windows Vista. Is this true, and if so, what do you do in that case. Cause it's not like you can buy a new computer with an old Windows system on. What do you do in this case?

Name something that has to be just right sm - Posted By: Before you can type effectively

Me? Short and very clean fingernails. Chair exactly the right height. Wintertime a space heater right by the desk for warm hands is a MUST. I gotta have a cup of coffee by the desk until about 11, then I gotta have tea.

There is an Associated Press article in today's sm - Posted By: Dreamin'

paper about increasing car sales in India. The Indian people are enjoying higher wages and are now able to purchase cars. Car makers are scrambling to get pieces of this new, juicy pie.

I wonder how long it's going to take before sending our work to India is not cost effective for the MTSO anymore. The Indian MTs won't be able to live on their 2 cpl anymore and will need more, and more. It's going to be interesting to see this evolve.

There's hope for us!

Business grant. - Posted By: where to apply?

I am looking for someone who has applied for a business grant or any grant and received it. I have been looking for how to apply and where and what is needed to apply?

Do you work an actual 8 hrs a day if hired for such or is it more like 7 with your breaks, etc. nm - Posted By: The Wonderer

s

- Posted By: AngieS.

After being out of MT for 4.5 years I have recently returned. I'm having a hard time finding the right fit. The biggest problem I'm seeing is everybody seems to be requiring headers for reports and then each report put in a separate document, due to the new electronic record. I find that this slows me way, way down. Maybe I'll eventually get used to it, but I sure do miss the days of one document for doctor's day's work. There are so many procedural details that I can't just sit and transcribe. I've also run into very poor voice file sound quality.

I worked in the field for 14 years and never had major problems adjusting to new accounts. Maybe my time is just over for this type of work.

I know technology has definitely made MT easier in some ways, but in others, it seems like such hassle. Does anyone else have problems with headers and all these separate documents? Does the field seem to be worse now than 5 years ago?