Medical Transcription Discussion Forums:
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Recently Viewed Messages: (An archive of over 1 million messages related to medical transcription industry) Sound files wanted -
Posted By: jm
Does anyone have any sound files they could share, good and bad quality, that I could let someone listen to so they can see what they're getting into if they decide to do MT? I'd let her listen to mine, but we save nothing; as soon as the job is typed, the sound file is gone. Any websites that have practice type files? Thanks for any suggestions.
Here's how ASR works -
Posted By: mc5
ASR is NOT more production than when we were just doing MT work before. I like ASR because it is a variation in muscles used, NOT because of productivity. I have gone DOWN 10% in overall production since the induction of DEP/ASR. They say I have gone up 50%. It is not short to explain but I will try to brief it- They are taking a 1 week period from this summer and comparing the production of your MT against your ME work for that week. This does NOT show what your production has increased since you are an ME. An account with ASR puts all the well spoken dictators on ASR and leaves the more inaudible speakers on transcription. If they were to take production from the yearly quarter before DEP/ASR started and compare it to the most current quarter completed - That would be more accurate. This is another set up for failure or a carefully concocted tactic for MQ to make us think our production is going up!
eScription - EditScript - question missed from below. -
Posted By: MT Professional
If you insert a list of recipients into the report from the hospital directory base, does the MT receive any credit for this in the line count?
Also, are any of the demographics included in the MT's line count?
Thanks for your reply.
Annual salaries of full time transcriptionists -
Posted By: Kay
For the veteran's out there- What is your average annual salary (working from home). Also, the companies that offer full time transcriptionists benefits, are the benefits any good?
How much do you make per year doing MT and do you work PT/FT and -
Posted By: Just curious.
for a company or have your own clients? Just wondering how I compare. I work for both and made just over $24,000 last year.
long time MTs opinion on BOS sm -
Posted By: MT 30+ years and running
I would like opinions from everybody but especially those that have 20+ years experience in MT. What are your opinions on the Book of Style?
This is my opinion.........I think its a bunch of crap! Seems to me a few people got together and decided to come up with this BOS and then put it on the market as "the law" of medical transcription. Of course they make money from it. I have wondered who gave this author or authors the authority that everything they say to do is correct and anything that deviates is incorrect?
On top of that, every now and then they decide to change it MTs learn this baloney all over again, thus more money for them. I see so many questions and comments on here about the BOS that it seems to me it has become the "end all, be all" in the medical transcription profession. Horse puckey!
I literally have seen companies especially the BIG ONE let excellent MTs get away simply because their test scores were not what the "X" wanted with the reason being a comma here and a comma there when the content was EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!
If I were hiring folks again, that BOS would go out the window and I would take an MT based on their MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION SKILLS! The preferences for punctuation and other things can be learned on-the-job. Not all companies think the BOS is the BIBLE of Medical Transcription. Personally I think BOS is a crock!.
I forgot though, AAMT started all this and they are not AAMT anymore. That tells me a whole lot too! Money, money money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXText and Smartype (sm) -
Posted By: Debbie
I have a few questions and would like to be able to e-mail with someone who may be able to help. I'm using EXText and Smartype. The smartline will not allow me to see what is underneath the text, such as headings within the document. I have to keep hitting the ESC key to turn ST off so I can see where I am at in the document to be able to type under the heading.
Another issue I have is that my document is running off the page and not wrapping around. In Word under VIEW, if I select Web Layout, it's a nice view and everything is on the page; however, when I do anything else, like Ctrl J to get back to the demographic screen in EXText, it jumps back and I have to start all over again. Any help would truly be appreciated. I hope that I have made my questions clear for someone to understand them. Thanks for any help.
Another SR funny. -
Posted By: RockinMT
SR: Ureters happy with a stent extraction.
Should be: ureteroscopy with stone extraction
I just found the best spray for June bugs sm -
Posted By: mlstoo
and spiders, ants and those yukky black and yellow bees that go in the ground. I have June bugs something awful this year, hundreds banging around my house. And those bees were so bad last year I couldn't get in the garden, they had invaded everything and got in the house as well. I talked to a farmer who used this stuff called Suspend. He said it really worked but it was expensive. I found some on the web and mixed a couple gallons and went around the foundation, under the decks and sprayed a bunch in every bee hole I could find and wow, it's like magic. I haven't seen one bee scouting around the holes, no ants in the house anymore or in the gardens and not one spider. We get those big wolf spiders and I found 4 dead ones in the alley. It's great. It's $40.00 for a bottle (I think its a pint) and it makes around 11 gallons. I bought it at http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com. No, I am not a distributor nor do I make any money off referrals. Just recommending something I finally found has worked.
suggestions, please! -
Posted By: sunnyMT
I need to order a .wav pedal, player and a word expander. Anyone with info on a good pedal/player reasonably priced? Files will be sent to me as dss files. Is there a good web site for new/preowned MT software?
TIA,
sunnyMT
It is so easy to post a letter on a newspaper editorial or magazine. Everybody write one. -
Posted By: CC
If you have a story to tell - get busy. Go to news shows, magazines, newspapers. It is so easy. Talk about the MT business or about the whole offshore process and its cost to the U.S. Any and everything written only solidifies our total point of view. GO TO whitehouse.com for sure. Don't wait for others to carry this for you. Support Travelin MT's efforts on the company board!!!!
I need some help. I am looking for IC position (have been -
Posted By: New to IC
transcribing for 15 years), but I'm confused about something. I purchased an Infinity IN-USB-1foot pedal. My question is this. Some ads say a wav-player is required. Is this the same thing? I didn't get software with my foot pedal. Also, some ads say it needs to be version 5. This is the same foot pedal I used when I worked for a company recently with an internet-based platform. I have DSL, Windows XP and Word 2002. Can anyone help me understand the nomenclature here? - USB foot pedal - wav-player, etc. I'm well over 50 and am not 100% "with the program" on the technical end of things, but I'm hanging in there.
Thanks so much! 
Focusinfomatics -
Posted By: Sharon
I was wondering if anyone could share any info on Focus. I am just starting with them. Thank you
is it safe to apply for a credit card -
Posted By: Mimi
over the internet? I hesitate to give out social security number and personal things on the net. Is it okay or not? Thanks

Switching to Digital -
Posted By: LilB
Can anyone tell me anything about switching to digital? I only have one very small account of my own but the tape quality is awful. With only 1 account is it even feasible to do so? Thanks guys.
Happy X-Mas (War is Over if U want it)! -
Posted By: John & Yoko
:)
Xs and Os -- Which are hugs and which are kisses? NM -
Posted By: Anyone Know?
XO
State abbreviations. Is there some style guide in LT or MT -
Posted By: Nancy
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. 
thinking about applying for dr's office position... -
Posted By: sm
and gosh, it's been so long since I've been to an interview...I'm looking for some tips on questions to ask the interviewer. I don't like going to an interview and NOT asking any questions.
Also, I do have the experience they are looking for, although it has been about 8-9 years since I've actually done hands-on back office work...tips on explaining this would be appreciated too! 
Just how many lives do YOUR patients have? -
Posted By: busytyping
Apparently mine have more than one because I have one dictator who likes to use the following phrase: Patient was told that he might have death and loss of current life. 
I wrote here last week..... -
Posted By: feels like Monday morning
About my incompetent lawyer, if you can be so kind as to call him that. To recap, I paid for my divorce to be filed in January and he never filed, and so my ex-husband filed around April or so. I had to take out a loan in order to pay him, to get things up and going. Two different times, I made sure I told him to include my vehicle, my VIN number and all on my divorce decree, so I could get the ex's name off title, because he takes the title to the pawn shop and my car gets repossessed.
At any rate, my hearing was in July and I never so much as got a copy of the decree, so I went to the courthouse and got one myself, and guess what? the car's not on there. I spoke with him to BE SURE right before the hearing, and my mother was in my presence and can confirm this.
I called him 4 times during the course of the 7 months, wondering what was going on with my case (since he hadn't filed it!), and then just recently 2 times about the car. I got a bill today for an extra $116 for him having to amend the decree about the car, and for the phone call I placed to him regarding it. I haven't gotten any paperwork about the car being put on the decree yet (which I'll probably have to get from the courthouse myself), and indeed, once I do, I'm going to file with the chamber of commerce and state bar, a complaint, but is this bogus or what? I shouldn't be charged extra for something he should have done for what I initially paid him, should I? I kind of wonder if he'll hold onto the stuff until it is paid, but I think this is baloney.
Thanks for any input.
Using a DVI system C phone. How do I get my foot pedal... sm -
Posted By: need help
to automatically back up a bit? The instructions I have for my DVI are very limited and I can find nothing with regards to automatic backup. There is no phone number (got this phone long time ago) to contact for help. Was hoping someone here could help. Thanks!
Doc is using software to do his own reports that puts the ® symbol after trade drug names and -
Posted By: JWA
I'm wondering if anyone is aware of a software program, maybe voice recognition, that does this? (I coudn't access the VR board to ask). This is one doctor in a practice that I transcribe for and I usually do his transcription for him, but the last time I logged into their computer to send them their files, there were reports in his file that I didn't transcribe that have this ® behind the trade names. I want to do a little research before talking to the practice. TIA
Too experienced? sm -
Posted By: HelenaHandbasket
Looking for a little advice. While applying for MT jobs recently I have been told I am too experienced to "just transcribe" because they see that I have held supervisory and other positions in the industry - along with many years of actual transcribing experience. I realize these days about 8 cpl is the going rate and although I wish it were higher, I wouldn't apply to these postings if I wasn't willing to work for that rate. Just looking to supplement my income. I would hate to leave all this experience off my resume, but maybe I should? Any ideas for a different way to spin this?
what an MT test I took on an interview ! -
Posted By: luv2type
I went for a job interview at NYC's largest hospital yesterday. The job was for an Admin Assist position, with a lot of transcription skills as well. For the transcription part of the exam, "all the equipment is in use right now" they told me, and they decided to give me a LIVE test:
They got one of the anesthesiologists on staff to find a chart and pull up a chair next to me. Face to face he dictated a report to me, as I typed it. It was weirdddddd! But I did very good on it actually ... it was an easy (for me) report.
I don't want the job though ... they practically told me on the interview the job pays from 9-5, but the hours are WHATEVER IS NEEDED - and that they needed 'flexibility'. You know what that means - the job better become my entire life. And I'm not willing to do that.
Thanks guys! And have a happy holiday !
Anyone STILL in New Orleans??? -
Posted By: KYradMT
If so, GET THE HECK OUT! We don't want any MT's to become statistics. Hurricane is a comin'.....
Could someone please help on drug board ty -
Posted By: nm
o
Vista -
Posted By: tech-challenged MT
I just purchased a new computer (desktop), cannot connect to the Internet. I have a wireless system, put the CD in for the USB adaptor and it does not detect my wireless modem. Any suggestions?
What extra services... -
Posted By: curious
I was wondering if any of you MTSOs, or MTs that work for an MTSO, offer any extra services to your clients? For example, do you do their envelopes and labels as well? Or anything else? Keeping in mind that you are not in the same town and that your employees are not in the office or even same state as you, lol. Thanks for any suggestions!
curious
DayQuil? -
Posted By: HS
Patient refers to an once-a-month injection for calcium, but it sounds like "DayQuil."
Any ideas on what this could be would be appreciated.
Question on renting -
Posted By: dm
Does anyone own a home that you rent out? Could you please give the pros and cons of renting out your home as we are thinking about doing this. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I don't normally type this kind of thing: sm -
Posted By: Needing help please TIA
Calculated aortic valve area 0.6 square centimeters.
How do i format this correctly?
Anyone use Cox Communications for unlimited long distance? Just wondering how their service is. -
Posted By: sm
There aren't too many reasonable choices here in the Midwest, unless you know of some out there. Thanks for the input!
Emdat foot pedal driving me CRAZY---HELP!!! -
Posted By: see msg
I just started with a company using Emdat, and purchased a pedal through start-stop. My complaint is this, I am used to a pedal that you hold in for play and release for pause. This pedal you tap for play and tap again for pause. It is seriously screwing me up!
Is this the only way this will work? :( Is there nothing I can do???
Can 1100 lines in 6 hrs be done -
Posted By: with acute care?
I was offered a position that requires 11K every two weeks. This is an account with about 80% ESLs. I am a slow typer and with little experience with ESLs. Can I pull this off in a 6 to 7 hour shift?
Does anyone use voice recognition to do their work?... -
Posted By: Suzyq
I have this one psychiatrist (long-winded) that I thought I might try to use voice recognition with. Does anyone have any experience with this? Could I hook him into the microphone jack or something and let it rip? Thanks for your help...
Is there anyone who just cannot work from home. -
Posted By: wondering minds.
I have ADD. Actually a college friend of mine diagnosed me when I graduated HS. I went to college and I was explaining to a friend of mine why I had so many problems in school is because my mind won’t shut off from something that happened earlier, or something that I know is going to happen later and I just cannot keep focused on the task at hand at the moment. I do have good days and bad days, lately more bad than good. She said that she thought I had ADD because she had it and she had done the same thing. She said she went to her PCP and she got on Ritalin and her grades went from Ds and Cs to As and Bs. I did not go back then because I did not have insurance of money. I tried everything else I know of. I tried counseling, I tried the tips I have found on the internet, nothing seems to work. I went to my PCP, told her what I have been doing and she dx me with depression and ADD and put me on Ritalin and Celexa. I have been taking this for a little over a week now.
Well, my OM called me and told me that I needed to work in-house because my line count was so bad. I did and H threw such a fit and cussed me out royally. We cannot afford the drive and why the heck isn’t my line count like it should be, he shouted. I told him that she will probably just keep me up there a few weeks. Well, I talked to her today and she said that I was going to have to stay permanently. No going home again for me. I told her that I have been taking meds now to help my mind from wondering and could I have another chance. She mentioned that someone else in the office (no names) is doing that too and it helped her tremendously but she thinks I do a better job in-house than I do at home. I told H and he is so mad. I can understand why but I don’t know what else to do. OM won’t give me another chance to go home. I could try an MTSO but H doesn’t think there is no use. He mentioned to me moving in with my brother because he lives closer to the hospital then we do, then he said that I should quit my job and he will find a new one that pays more and looks at me like I am a complete useless failure. I know he is just mad but him doing this doesn’t help me with my depression.
I just started these meds. It maybe the answer for me and it may not. I don’t know if I should try an MTSO while taking the meds because if it does for me what my friend said it did for her, I should be more successful. H wants to give up on me.
Funny jack-o-lanterns! -
Posted By: sm

http://www.extremepumpkins.com/
What do you do when you are totally overwhelmed by -
Posted By: sad
life in general? This happens to me maybe once a year. I think part of it is the holidays and I'm an orphan and the only "family" I have/claim is my DH and my DC, but I am also burned out with work because no matter how much extra I do, I'm just asked to do more, my youngest is very strong-willed and while I don't give in to him, sometimes he is more of a challenge, my DH is facing a 6 week recovery from surgery and will be unable to work and no work, no pay, I can't get my house clean, etc. I'm sure there is some situational depression, but I also know that in about a week things will start to work out, but in the meantime I've got this week to get through. I usually try to pray myself through this and I believe it keeps me from doing anything stupid, but it still is an incredibly sad time.
Question. If you are not able to make -
Posted By: your line count within 8 hours
Do you clock out and keep typing. I work at Spheris and wonder if I'm able to do this.
Spi opens shop in Vietnam -
Posted By: me
The latest newsletter states Spi (formerly Cymed) has opened up shop in Vietnam. I guess they have run out of shops in India and the Philippines. I asked a vet if they speak any better English than the other two and he said NO. I guess I give up on finding a good QA position with headquarters in the good old US of A.
Okay to work for more than one service. -
Posted By: pcpeanut
Is it okay to work for more than one service at a time? Do you have to be IC to do that, or can you mix and match with employee status? Is a small service better to work for, generally, than a national? If you work for a clinic can you also work for a service at the same time? Thanks for any input. 
Anybody try the Michael Thurmond 6 week body makeover?nm -
Posted By: MI-MT
z
Can someone tell me about how many reports 250 -
Posted By: question
minutes of dictation is? This is for a radiology account.
My company tells us the backlog in minutes and when I ask them about how many reports that is, they can't tell me either.
Just curious and to help me decide how many hours to work also.
Advice to MQ. -
Posted By: no name
This advice is given too late, but for future reference...
When you have a new program, just send the information out.
Telling people a month in advance that you are going to send the information out is just upsetting. Calling people on the phone to tell them they will get information next month but you cannot answer any questions just makes everyone more agitated.
If you think you were offering a teaser to get people excited, I am sorry to say that it backfired. As you can see from reading this board, everyone is just nervous and upset. Some people are out looking for other jobs because they think they are going to lose their SE position.
Big mistake......
rate for STAT reports after hours -
Posted By: dl
I currently work for a group doing transcription all day as an IC. I am delivered my work at night by the office for the next day's work. But, often they have a need for me to do STAT reports that night for surgery the next morning. I work all day full time for them and then have these to do in the evenings too. They also use tapes still and I have to spend and hour or two searching the tapes looking for the dictation to transcribe. It is so frustrating and time consuming on my part and I am making NOTHING for the time I am spending on this, 2-4 bucks tops for an hour or two of work. I just wondered if anyone knew of a good line rate, flat rate, etc. to charge for this turnaround time and the time I have to waste searching through these tapes!!!!! They will not go digital, which would be so much better. Any thoughts???? Thanks in advance.
Expander question -
Posted By: Zoe
I've got brain freeze today. Can someone tell me how to make the abbreviation or Expander so that -year-old will not leave a blank space as in 25 -year-old. I have lost my notes. I think it has something to do with putting in a backspace. I've used it for years and abbrevs were lost during tech issues. TIA!
C-Phone Question! -
Posted By: debbie
Help. I cannot remember how to change the SPEED (I believe you have to use the keys on the keypad to program in) on the Dictaphone C-phone (the typical gray model 0421). This dictator is dictating a mile a minute and I can't seem to SLOW HIM DOWN.
Any help would be MOST APPRECIATED.
chemo -
Posted By: trish
Patient has mucositis from chemotherapy. Doc says to rinse with "Shimmel" solution. Anyone ever hear of it?
Old patient records -
Posted By: DW
Does anyone know when you no longer have an account what do you do with the old records. Can they be deleted because they are no longer your account or do you have to save them in case the account ever needs them? All their notes over the years have either been printed and delivered or emailed to them and I don't keep them past a year.
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