Not fighting. Just talking quality.
Posted By: Relax everyone! on 2007-05-24
In Reply to: This is ridiculous. - KM
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i think we are all fighting
over 64 and 66. Too many MTs, too little jobs to go around.
Fighting back. SM
Certainly I don't have all the answers, which is why it would be nice to get some positive input going on this issue. We're not stupid people, and if we think it through and work together, we can come up with something.
I think a mass exit of good MTs would have the effect I have already stated, which is born out by at least one post below. How fast do you think a company could transition to a production base overseas? Not fast enough in my opinion. Sure they might get it set up, but even offshore elements don't have gobs of people trained and just sitting on the side lines waiting for reports to transcribe. They are like everyone else, they have to recruit and train to fill the need as it arises. I don't think it would all come together fast enough to prevent major account losses. And as the accounts go south, so will the need to send work out, as there will be less work to send. And what about the end result the clients (hospitals, etc.) will be getting back? There's no doubt that a huge percentage of it would be poor quality. And if the good MTs have left because of refusing to be treated bimbos who stand willing to put the noose around their own necks, who is going to do the editing and polishing of these reports, and they will need to be polished. I think it would throw a wrench in the whole works, and I don't think companies could cover the base fast enough to prevent big losses. In any event, this possibility that you raise is not like we're not facing it already. My point is we should at least start doing something besides just standing here watching our livelihoods go down the tubes. I can't guarantee the results of taking this kind of action would be totally what we want, but I can guarantee that not doing something will lead to the sure death of our profession.
As for those who would say to shut up and just be grateful, I say they have their heads buried in the sand, and so what they have to say isn't going to do them or me or anyone else any good. The jobs they would tell us to be glad we have will soon be gone, which is exactly the point, so hang what the negatives would have to say. We can't afford to be influenced any longer by people telling us it can't be done. Maybe it can't, but it for sure can't if we just stand around and do nothing.
Yes, technology is here to stay. Nothing wrong with that. The companies investing in it can still make their millions off of it, but it doesn't have to be at our expendability. What I'm saying is to refuse as an industry to willingly help them make the transition knowing full well that, as a direct result of our cooperation, we will soon no longer be needed. Hence, the position I have adopted being one of, if you (the doctors) want to use it, then get it right on your own. I ain't gonna' help. On the other hand, give us the technology, and I'll show the doctors, the hospitals, and the companies we work for the production and accuracy we all want to be part of while preserving our ability and right to make a living. As far as medical doctors learning to fill out templates, they're not there yet, which is why we need to take action before they are. By not there yet, I don't mean they're not doing it to some degree now, but the technology is still not what it will be some day, which means they still need us. Someone has to produce the finished product. What I'm saying is we should refuse to do so as long as it is obvious that doing so is the same as loading the gun and putting it the hand of the one who intends to shoot us with it.
Where to start, therefore, is here, and the when is now while we are still needed. Once we are no longer needed, we will have no chance. Our strength and hope lies in the fact that this work has to be done or the doctors don't get paid, which means action taken now will hit them right where it hurts, in the pocket book. Patient care documentation is becoming more and more important to others outside of the medical profession, and I don't think inaccurate and poor quality of reports will ultimately be tolerated.
It's going to be a hard bullet to bite, and those at the leading edge are going to have to be the ones to chomp down first. That's why I'm saying to bail now while you can. The first ones out will be the ones that get the positions that are available now. Those that wait to take action may find themselves on the sidelines for a while until the full impact has a chance to take hold. But, they and the rest of us are going to be sitting on the sidelines for good in the future anyway, so the only way to look at it, in my opinion, is stop putting off the inevitable and take the step now while there is still a chance to make a difference. If the company I'm with ever indicates that they intend to burn the work force that they now claim is their backbone, I will be gone in a heart beat, even if it means learning those all-imporant 7 words, i.e., would you like fries with that, sir?
I'd rather serve somebody a hamburger at minimum wage that help the other guy get rich at my expense. It ain't gonna' happen.
Yes, I am fighting back. Thank you!!
I have called the company also and will call until I get someone in charge. I sent her my personal check stubs and that is what I am most upset about. If she could not match my pay, why ask for my personal check stubs and offer me the position. Receive my check stubs, keep them, and then say she could not offer me that pay? She stole my check stub information in my opinion and I am steamed. I feel violated.
Fighting outsourcing
Just wondered if anybody else has tried to fight to stay a hospital employee & fight against outsourcing???? I am putting together a petition for transcription & going to get doctors to sign it & send it to the CEO of the hospital. I hate to do that but I feel I must fight for my job!
fighting outsourcing
Good for you! Our hospital, too, is being outsourced soon. We asked about this and was told the physicians didn't have a say. Hopefully in your case it will make a difference!
Another nosy one fighting with me over nothing! You women (?)
jump in threads and fight with the wrong person!! Aren't you embarassed? Can you follow conversations in real life? I doubt it! I'm not talking about computers or anything - I'm on Busy MTings side, really. We're having a fine conversation, in case you hadn't stuck your nose in the full thread!! I'm not the bozo worrying about whose computer she's using and that nonsense. AND YES I WORKED FOR SPHERIS!! HORRIBLE! JUST ANOTHER MONSTER NATIONAL! And I work for MQ - YUCK. But it pays the bills, though that is another story all together!  When you nosy posters who jump in a thread decide to jump in and bash, why not pick an intelligent fight with the correct person? You make no sense and look like more of a jerk than you obviously think I am!! Sorry, too, not a blonde! Black as the Ace of Spades - wanna fight about my hair??
Fighting low wages: Has anyone ever considered trying to (sm)
organize MTs throughout the country? It seems like, judging by what I read in MR forums, that part of the problem is that when people first come into the business, they have no idea of what their hard work is worth. Regardless of the fact that hospitals want to pay the lowest possible price for transcription, the only people who should be settling for less than 10, 12 or more cents/line are ESLs in India, etc. American workers should be standing up for American wages. Yes, there are some companies who will say, Fine, I'll contract with India. Believe me, you wouldn't want those companies as employers, or to work for hospitals or clinics that operate that way. Heck... I sure wouldn't put my care in the hands of a doc that uses offshore transcription services, that's for sure!
SO, what I'm saying is, there must be some way to bring MTs from all areas, and of all experience levels together (OUTSIDE of AAMT, which has been in large part responsible for alot of the problem!), and organize for a decent living wage and health benefits. If all of us were to stop working for 3 days, 1 week max, do you think that work would all suddenly be sent offshore? I don't think so. Some might, but then again, it's a good way to week out the undesirable clients & employers.
I think we our often our own worst enemy when it comes to wages. If we continue to accept less than what we're worth, then that's all we can expect to earn.
Also, I'm surprised that some entrepreneuring MT company hasn't cashed in on all the newbies and in-school MTs out there who just want experience and a chance. Imagine if one of the larger, more respected services were to open an MT SCHOOL as well. They would receive an income from instruction fees. MTs could gradually cross over from student to trainee. MTs could earn extra money as teachers. (And should be paid well for it, too.) The company training the MTs would have first pick of the best and brightest for work in their own company. Beyond that, there would be more money to be made when it comes to referrals.
The healthcare industry needs to be more educated in the fact that transcription is a vital part of their work, and how well their reports are done is a direct reflection of their competency. If you look at how much money is wasted in these establishments on FLUFF -- excess management, inept management, some community programs, and in some cases excess in building glitz and glamour, one has to wonder why they feel transcription is a less-valuable service than those provided by their janitors, groundskeepers, or food service personnel.
One way to fight the low-wage problem is to continue to lobby for an end to offshoring of personal information, not only in the healthcare industry, but in ALL American industry. NO personal data: phone numbers, credit card numbers, etc. should EVER leave American soil without the express written consent of the owner of that data.
Another way to fight low wages is to do as much research as possible on prospective employers. Remember, they are not just interviewing you, you are also interviewing THEM! Go with the best-paying company you can find. If you are new to the field, that will be harder, but in your case finding the best learning environment is your best bet, and then work hard at getting proficient enough to be able to LEAVE a low-paying employer ASAP for a better-paying one.
In terms of being an IC, I know it's difficult to deal with people undercutting you. But once again, don't forget that when someone turns down high-quality transcription and goes with the lower-quality provider, simply because of a couple-cent-per-line difference in cost, the way to look at that client is Good Riddance! I used to have my own, non-MT, service-related business. I had two ways of weeding out the undesireables:
One was a waiver of liability. If they squawked about signing it, or started picking it apart like they were big legal experts, then I knew right away they were a future legal liability. (Of course, that is less of an issue with MT... I don't know of MTs that make clients sign waivers! It's just a 'fer instance.) But the best way to weed out the cheapskates and nit-pickers was to charge a slightly HIGHER fee than my competitors. I offered a higher-quality, more personalized service than my competitors. So I stood firm on my prices. And you know what? There are clients who will actually LOOK for the higher fee, knowing that if you can command and get a higher fee, you are probably a better service provider.
Also, steer clear of new clients who want a special deal or discount right off the bat. They will NEVER be satisfied; give them an inch and they'll take a mile. I believe that discounted rates are EARNED, not given out on demand. A long-time client who is honest, pays on time, tips, is slightly flexible, etc., who gives you steady, reliable work that is easier to do, should be rewarded with a deal. But that deal should only be between you and them, and not broadcast to other clients.
Some of my BEST business clients turned out to be people who at first pooh-poohed my fees, and went with the cheaper provider. Quite a few of them came crawling back on their hands and knees later; sadder but wiser, and more than willing to pay what I charged. And often they had such a big mess that needed to be straightened out (usually caused by the cheaper provider) that I initially had to charge EXTRA, on top of my normal fees, to straighten it all out! These people often came to be my biggest TIPPERS, as well! 
I think we have all been conditioned to believe we are lucky to have a job at all, and we need to start rethinking that. MT's need to stick together, network, lobby against offshoring and unfair pay, UNIONIZE if at all possible or beneficial, and be far more VOCAL. The normally quiet nature of most MTs and their behind-the-scenes work usually works against them when it comes to fair labor practices! Those of us with many years of experience & skill need to TURN DOWN job offers that are insultingly low.
Anyway, that's my take on the el-cheapo employers & clients, and the low pay they think we'll get down on our knees and thank them for! 
Happy 2007!
FOUR SEASONS TRANSCRIPTION...PAY YOUR MTs.. Poor BrokeMT has been fighting you for months.
Just pay her. If her bank truly rejected her DD numerous times, then why wasn't she sent an actual paper check. Companies like this need to be run out on a rail. You give MTSOs a bad name.
They offshore, sound quality not great, quality
of work coming back from India is bad and they don't pay enough for editing it.
you spelled quality qualitily maybe that is why you have quality issues.
Sorry, but even spell check misses stuff. You have to at least be able to spell to do this job. Well, you don't have to know English if you are Indian, but us Americans have to spell!
Hope Transtech is NOT still hiring, because we are all fighting for work right now OVERHIRE big time
Be careful right now, because TT has much overhired, promising something big coming up, but nothing seen by the MT's yet, just LOW WORK load.
Quality is quality, and really should have nothing to do with getting new accounts.
MQ isn't scheming against the MTs regarding QA. They just want a quality finished product. Heck, half the slams on this board about MQ are the garbage work the MTs put out. Talk about a no win situation! Getting used to a new account should not lower your quality by any real degree if you are a good MT. Even getting used to new dictators or ESLs. Good MTs still produce quality work, and should not have to fret over QA.
Not talking about lines. Talking about what you actually
afsd
Of course quality is quality sm
but all this bouncing has slowed me down so much that I cannot make a good wage. I would never cut corners, but I can see where work quality will suffer in this scenario. I am sick and tired of bouncing around to all kinds of accounts!
quality
They give you a 60-day probation and pay you a guaranteed rate of $10 an hour to give you the chance to learn your account, the preferences, and get your speed up. They are sticklers on grammar, AAMT BOS rules, etc. They mentor you to the degree they have time, then if it is just not a good fit, they let you go. It is acute care. Some people have learned some very bad habits working for small companies on clinic notes, etc., and it's hard to re-learn the correct way of doing things. I think the company is very fair and almost everyone is very family-oriented and willing to help each other out. In the end, they have a company to run and do look for the cream of the crop or at least people who learn quickly enough and don't keep making the same mistakes over and over. The only other thing I could guess is it was just a personality conflict, degree of professionalism, or something. The company has approximately 400 MTs working from home, some who have been there for 10+ years, so they are doing something right!
Quality
Also was outsourced and work went to CBay. Our facility had to bring most of it back in house after less than 3 months. What I don't get is how they continue to get positive press without anyone telling the other side of the story. For our facility it was a disaster. The same old story, they got what they paid for and in the end it cost them a bundle.
Don't you want quality?
$14/hour is just not enough to live comfortably these days, in my opinion. It's esp. not enough for a hardworking transcriptionist/editor like me. If you truly want quality editors, compensate them according to current standard-of-living - I'd say at least $20/hr.
Nothing to do with quality.
This had nothing to do with quality or job performance...it was simply a way to move out those QAs hired at a rate they currently no longer want to pay and fill those slots with those who will work for a wage that is barely livable, forgetting that they ultimately will get what they pay for.. This is happening a lot these days and I believe it will come back to haunt them, but for now it seems to me that is what is happening.
I think it was probably due to quality.
x
Quality?
Yeah --- the company I work for cares a lot about qualit; but they care more about the bottom line. To solve both problems, they strip off all of the easiest work to send to vendors, sticking the the Americans with worst of the worst; they try to make us feel good about this by telling us that we should feel honored and it is a privilege for them to trust us with the crap work that cuts our income in half. And it is not necessity, we are frequently out of work; but they saved money by screwing us over in order to pay less to the foreigners.
Some of these companies just always have an angle.
Quality???
None of us were born with good qualities, but we deleveop it through education and experience! Quality can be achieved by hardwork.
Perhaps, if the output was that bad, as you feel, then companies like nuance, spheris, spi would not have opened their branches in our country.
quality
It's very sad, but in today's world, everything is about the almighty dollar. We don't get paid 1/100th of what we're worth to the hospitals and the docs. Without us, they'd be a really big world of hurt. In fact, aside from having our hands directly on the patient's, we may as well be physicians... we have to know everything they know just to transcribe a report. That just frosts my cookies. How about yours? Don't get me wrong.. I love, love, love what I do, but just want to know for a moment that we are appreciated for bringing in the majority of ALL the revenue in the medical field. As I have said many times before on this post, I have 25+ years experience and still make starting pay of .0825 cents a line. That, to me, stinks. Having owned my own business, I know what the MTSOs charge the hospitals. We are being ripped off royally every day.
you get what you pay for and quality
Yes, it frosts my cookies!! Remember the days when MTs didn't just THINK they were prima donnas, they WERE prima donnas? We've gone from prima donnas to typing monkeys. It isn't just MTs. I posted above about the nurses who were demonstrating outside the local hospital because they had been fired to make way for new graduate nurses who would work for lower wages? They weren't old hags either, most appeared to be between mid 30s and mid 40s. It isn't just MTs, it's all workers in every field. Employers don't want experience, they want cheap! Not getting into politics here but no matter which candidates are elected in November, it is only going to get worse. News flash: There is no change going to Washington D.C. Well, maybe worse change. Nothing will change until the American people wake up and say ENOUGH.
How is the quality for the MTs. I am not sure about getting a job with them. I
would appreciate if you would elaborate a little further if you wouldnt mind. I was just also wondering if the accounts are loaded with ESLs.
The quality is not here, either...
When was the last time you looked at the American MTs' final document? Many times, it is not a pretty picture. Just ask on this site alone how many MTs proofread all of their work before sending to the client?
Quality and VR
I would love to know where you work. It would be great to find a company that was not quite so particular with VR. I have only been doing VR for a short while, but QA catches everything, word-for-word. Cannot leave out a single a, an, or the, or for that matter put one in that is not there. There is so much to correct, I cannot even make line count that matched my norm on regular transcription most of the time.
Quality
Who said my quality had anything to do with Dorothy's decision to sell her company? Do you think Transcend would have offered to buy her company if the hospitals had said the quality they received from MDI was poor?
Honestly, you could have a little more compassion for those people whose lives and livelihood just changed. Your comments were rude and out of line.
OSI's quality supervisor probably can't
I also suspect that she's been posting all kinds of crap on this board because that's the kind of lunatic she is.
But isn't quality a noun
I just noticed this post because I always have to debate with myself on this  . I thought if it was a noun, then hyphen between.
If you do NOT care about quality then OSi will
Their motto is just get it out I couldn't deal with that attitude with medical records so went with a company where quality does count and comes first!
Was once OSi QA!
THIS quality MT did NOT stay there!
I am going to start for 2 others shortly after the holidays, which gives me a little time for my family during the holiday season. When I did work for them, I did have a BIG notion to hand in one day's work with NO SPACES, just to see what they would do!
Sound quality
The sound is great. That has been resolved and it was not the system but the phone lines from the facilities. No need for technical support, but I have never had any problems reaching someone and had an immediate response.
Quality not QUANTITY is......
WAY WAY MORE IMPORTANT. Yes we have to be able to type (I hate the use of that word). We must be able to transcribe the dictation. BUT, we must also know WHAT we are transcribing and if we are using the correct terms and what those terms mean (again so we can make sure that we are putting out accurate work). Yes, we have reference books (or we better  at least). However, some things just have to be committed (? sp - it is late  ) to memory. People like you bring the industry down.... unfortunately without realizing it. I really do wish you the best, but please give some thought into not bashing the company for a harsh test and give more thought into spending the time actually learning medical terminology. Also remember, there is the Word Board here for questions!! 
QA is quality assurance
QA is Quality Assurance of an MTs work, it could be an editor. Editor is also commonly used in the VR (voice recognition) editing, as they do not transcribe standardly, they edit.
Control and quality
You know, MTs can't have it both ways. On one hand, we seem to want recognition that what we does can impact patient care and thus is very important. On the other hand, we don't want to be held accountable for the errors we make. When a patient's chart has a major error in it, that can impact patient care. And unfortunately sometimes the only way to get people to wake up and pay attention is by penalizing them for those errors and for going so fast they simply are not paying attention. I've never had a deduction for those kind of things so perhaps can't really speak to it, but the way I understand that policy it seems to be quite fair to me.
Anyone else having quality issues because of too
I'm a long-time MT and I pride myself on my high QA, but in the last couple of months I've made several serious errors. I can't believe how sloppy I was. I know a good part of it is because I'm so tired and distracted constantly about not having enough work at TWO services. I have 9 accounts between my 2 jobs, and it's also very hard to keep up with all the different account specs. (FWIW, all three errors were made at one of the services.) Before this, I had received one call about QA in seven years, and now I've received three in two months. I feel like the worst MT in the world  .
How is the quality of VR these days?
:+
Sound quality
I was wondering about the sound quality. Have you found it to be pretty good? TIA!
The quality only became an issue when
the offshoring began. I don't understand why they wouldn't QA 100% of the work knowing there were quality issues.
I know we're not the only MTs to go through this, but many of us have a long history with QT and unless you've been on the inside you don't truly understand all the emotions we're going through. I feel like my best friend has just stabbed me in the back.
Has anyone listened to the quality of sm
the recording? It seems so echoey, or is it my system making it that way? Just wondered if anyone else had trouble with the sound quality. Thanks!
How's the audio quality with TT? nm
x
Sound quality
Never had a problem either. Everybody perceives things differently. Best thing to do is check them out for yourself.
Spheris Quality
Junk in, junk out. When I would have a day full of unintelligible dictators, I felt so drained that I actually felt like I was turning out junk! My quality ratings were good, but my mindset was awful, so I went with a company where clearer English is spoken.
Spheris quality
You are not the only one. I also work for Spheris and it seems like it is getting harder to make a decent living.
but if the american quality were better..sm
Do you understand?
If they are going to pay transcriptionists and they are equal, then price is an issue. If americans were sooo much better, indians wouldn't be able to compete.
I have both quality and quantity
I know companies have their day MT's that have been on days for a longer period of time who will get the work, but my QA score speaks for itself. When you get VR rejects and only the worst dictators out there on a consistent, there can certainly destroy anyone's QA score for the day or two. Unfortunately, some of the smaller MTSO's do not have enough accounts to assure work even from a backup account.
Worry about quality - not LPH
I know of a girl who can type triple the number of reports as other MTs, but it is obvious that she does not proof read her reports because they are full of major errors. That could be detrimental to patient care. If you're fast and accurate that's great, but you need to be concerned about quality above all. Once you are familiar with the dictators the speed will come.
Benefits and Quality
I am a current MT for Axolotl. I know of several people who have been referred and passed their testing. I do remember it to be one of the most difficult written tests I had taken but the transcription portion I found very easy. They do, however, expect quality documents. Do they go by the AAMT BOS? Only in judgment-call situations. We type VERBATIM and account specifics. You are dinged for punctuation. If you are in doubt of anything, you leave a blank and leaving a blank is NOT held against you in any way shape or for. The only situation I can think of is if the blank is something obvious or could have been found with the excellent information resources we are given.
Benefits are outstanding and pay is very competitive.
Yes, it seems they pay for quantity and not quality. nm
x
Quality?? Is that what you call it?
Transolutions has more than a few pages of their own Style Guide. This is not counting the BOS or the account specifics.
There is a difference in producing a quality document and just being right down picky over a comma here and there.
I guess this is why their turnover is as high as it is???? It must be the MTs.
Saying that bonuses for quality sm
and production along with working what are for a lot of people unpopular shifts should not be making up for not being paid for headers/footers if the MT is doing the work to get that information.
A bonus paid for other things (not sending to QA, working midnights or reaching very high line counts while doing the other 2 things) should not be replacing pay lost, it should be IN ADDITION.
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