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Looking for opinions on keyboards sm - Posted By: luvmybassetts

I like the keys on my keyboard to be easy to touch, not feeling like you have to bang them down to get a letter to appear. I've been reading about the ergonomic keyboards. What do you find comfortable? I looked on Amazon.com about the Microsoft 4000 Ergonomic keyboard and there were a lot of reviews, some of them saying that the keys were hard to press, especially the spacebar.

thanks

24 was awesome tonight except - Posted By: b

I can't believe Tony is dead. What a bummer. First Michelle, then Edgar and now Tony. I wonder who will be next!!!!

a new windows software? - Posted By: what about it

has anyone else heard about there being a new windows version that will be available to replace windows XP since a lot of people are dissatisfied with XP? A friend of mine told me this as she had heard that much but she did not know all of the details. TIA!

More IC questions from different poster. Sm please - Posted By: MT

I've been an IC for about 6 years now and always worked part-time with a 24-hour TAT. Recently, because my husband was laid off, I took a "full-time" job as an IC but they required an eight hour day, Tues-Sat, minimum 1200 lines/day, which I did verbally and in email agree to. Because I'm an IC they haven't asked that I set a specific schedule other than which days, though they wanted it known when I'll work for the most part and want to me work in four hour chunks. My question is, how much freedom do you think I have as an IC in this framework, re hours per day/how many hours at a time? I usually get in about 1500 lines a day in 8 hours, which by the sounds of the emails I get addressed to everyone where they're not happy with production, seems a pretty good line count with them. I don't always want to work in four-hour chunks, though usually do, just don't want to "have" to. The only contract I actually signed was for rate of pay. I know technically they can't tell me when to work in the day, but based on what I had agreed to, how much room do I have to maneuver? Also, what about time off? With my other companies I've always just given plenty of notice and never had a problem getting the time off that I wanted. I have a feeling though that I'm the only IC that works for them or one of few because there's definitely an "employee" kind of feel with things like scheduled "mandatory" conference calls, etc. Any thoughts appreciated.

s/l Araness for anemia? cant find med - Posted By: nm

s

E&O Liability insurance - Posted By: Lisa

I realize many of us think we do not need this insurance. Unfortunately, a local area hospital thinks I do to work for them. Someone had told me they got this through their home owners policy. Any ideas on how to do that? I'm not a member of AAMT. I checked into it before, and it was rather expensive buying it outright from an insurance company. Thanks. I need to find more work and, unfortunately, this is what this hospital requires.

How does this sound for QA? - Posted By: New to QA

I'll only be doing QA on each person for 2 weeks. They offered $5.00 per MT and then a $25 bonus when they graduate from having to pend items to me. I'm also training and get $10 per person, which is fine with me because I can train 10 people at once. Any feedback is appreciated!

EMR Question - Posted By: Tammie

Is a Transcriptionist still needed if doctor goes EMR?? I work for an oncologist and is going EMR. He is telling me he wants me to type straight to EMR. I am not sure if this is true or not? ');> I am so afraid of losing my job because of this new system.

Help! My butt is numb! SM - Posted By: RockinMT

Okay, I'm working in the office for the next month training someone (I work for a hospital). Anyway, cubicle that is supposed to pass for my workstation is AWFUL! Because all the MTs are at home, the hospital of course doesn't spend money on office furniture and the chair I have to use is just the pits. It leans slightly to the left and forward and my left buttock is going numb and sometimes aching (like a pinched nerve). I don't really want to gripe or complain because I'm only here temporarily, but man I miss my comfy chair and desk at home!

So I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions of things I can do to center my chair a little better. It has wheels, so putting something under the chair to raise the left side up won't work. I have thought about a seat cushion of some sort, problem is I'm afraid putting a cushion under my left buttock will throw everything off and cause me to have issues on the right side of my back and butt!

It is amazing how one tiny little shift can wreak such havoc! I feel like the princess and the pea!

Need information about laptop computer for MT sm - Posted By: kady

Exactly what do I need to look for in a laptop. I have an ill family member which requires me to be more mobile. Ram? Hard drive? How many ports? Do you like any particular brand - I lean towards Dell, but am certainly not a diehard Dell fan.

Any tips you might have would be appreciated.

Thak you

Cap lock and unlock is driving me crazy - Posted By: Hey manufacturers

I wonder why the light above caps locked is so small. With the constant need for capitalizing words in this industry, I am constantly backspacing to delete words mistakely capitalized or not capitalized, especially with IT. Does anyone have a cure for this?

Can you get fired for doing too much work? - Posted By: Concerned

Has anyone been fired for getting too much work done? I have been making at least the third bonus tier for the last couple of checks (I have also been working OT), so I am afraid that it might look more pleasing to fire me and hire 2 PT workers that don't make the bonuses and don't qualify for benefits. Has anyone heard of any companies doing this? I have only been with my company for 9 months, and since I am the only one bringing in a pay check right now, I am getting really nervous. Any managers that read this, I more than welcome hearing from you as well. I just want to know if I should be concerned or if I can ease off the worry a little. Thanks!!

router setup - Posted By: grec

i set up a router on my main computer to my son's computer. i then set up the e-mail account on his to match the ones on mine. now, my son's computer is getting all the e-mails and mine gets none. How can i set it up so both computers get all the e-mails.

thanks

In-shoring jobs for MTs. - Posted By: article from Advance - nm

http://health-information.advanceweb.com:80/Editorial/Content/Editorial.aspx?CC=200503

Over the counter drugs - Posted By: AngieAngie

Are over the counter drugs capitalized? Example: "Unisom"

Thanks

For "anonymous" question re: JLG - check below (sm) - Posted By: Mushroom

sorry it took me so long to get back to an answer for you!

To Dog's Day Puppy MT - please read my post below! Creepy flowers. - Posted By: MTPet

I didn't want it to get buried in the old thread below, because I'm really worried about you. It must have just been me, but when I read that you found the flowers on your steps, and from your own garden, it just gave me the creeps. Don't know why, but it sure did. She (someone?) been's sneaking around your yard, and though it looks like a good intention, I still find it unnerving. PLEASE be careful! I'm not the paranoid type, but something just doesn't sit right with me about those flowers...

Hope I don't meet this patient on the road...sm - Posted By: HappyCat

"Her job involves a significant amount of ... in addition, working on a cell phone, typing and driving." This could explain some of the drivers I've encountered recently, shew...

Need help with digital dictation - Posted By: AzMT

I currently have my own account that is digital, but I did not have to setup their voice recorders. I only had to install the secure program I use for file transfer and show them how to move their voice file into my program.

So, I guess my question is when a doctor buys a digital recorder does it come with its own software program that allows them to plug their recorder into their computer and upload the voice file onto their computer? I know at that point they can just click on the file and drag it over into my program where I access it to transcribe it, but I�m lost on how they use their recorders as I�ve actually never seen that part of it. I just got a new account and would like to know this information before my meeting with the office manager, so I don�t sound like a complete dork :)

Any help or explanation as to how the doctors do their end of uploading their voice files would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Very strange - Posted By: Siren

I just began filling out an application to a transcription service advertising on another MT forum. Halfway down the application page it is asking for my social security number. There is no way in (you know where) I am giving that out. I find this a bit shady if you ask me. Why do they need my SS#?

Accuscribe - Posted By: MRS LINCOLN

Any information on the company Accuscribe out there?

Looking for feedback - Posted By: siren

on my job situation at the current time. I underwent major foot surgery (right foot) on 04/10/07. I was off on surgical leave from then until 07/16/07. My doctor did not want to release me back to work until 07/16/07, but my FMLA ran out on 07/02/07. My place of employment gave me the run around about extending my FMLA but they did. I have been back to work transcribing (I am the supervisor and senior Transcriptionist at a local mental health facility) now since 07/16/07. Every evening my foot swells so bad that I cannot sleep. It throbs and hurts.

I asked if I could work just 4 hours a night for the next month to transition back. My supervisor said she did not care; however, my HR person stated that it would affect my insurance, which is based on fulltime status.

Here's the main problem. There are rumors that they are going to get rid of in-house transcription (I have been here for 15 years). They have already hired a service "to help us", etc.

I would like to just work 4 hours a night, or maybe even have my doctor write me an excuse, but with having used all of my FMLA for the year, my job position is not secure, especially in light of what is going on.

Here's the cincher, I have an FMLA person who calls off all the time, and she seems to be protected (insurance, etc.). This woman is just dead weight in my department, but I can do nothing about it because she is protected under FMLA. I had to use all of my 12 weeks of FMLA up at one time due to my surgery. She takes hers here and there, and every pay period receives one day of PTO; so, her FMLA never seems to run out. I am feeling as if I am being treated unfairly here.

I need insurance as does everyone, so I do not want to jeopardize my job position, but my foot is absolutely killing me. Again, this was a major surgery and I do not want to mess my foot up working for these ding-dongs that do not seem to care, that I sit with my right foot up on my desk with a pillow underneath it and an ice pack on top of my foot, while I try to transcribe with my left foot.

This is just utterly ridiculous - - any suggestions as to what I can do here!

I'm tired, !@#%#% off, and just plan fed up.

Need som information.. - Posted By: SM

I would like to start doing things in my own area, get my accounts, etc. I just do not know where to start. Do I type up an "introductory" letter and send them to doc offices? What kind of equipment is the easiest to do this "internet based?" I have A LOT of questions. If someone could email me, I would really appreciate it!!

Thanks

Can anyone suggest a good, up to date abbreviation book? Thanks nm - Posted By: MTTomb

Chc- that uses Vonage- do you use 800# or long distance? nm - Posted By: sk

nm

How do you find a balance in this type of work... - Posted By: nn

with family, friends, hobbies, etc and still have time to type! Is it possible, if so, how?

Housekeeping as an alternative ... - Posted By: Molly

... has anyone gone from MTing to housekeeping in a hotel? I can't support myself as an IC and can't meet the requirements for employee status. What are the going wages in the South? Do I have a snowball's change of being hired in my 50's??? I'm desperate.

Keystrokes Definitions for EXText - Posted By: Snow Bunny

Control A

Allows you to edit the copy (CC) list. We don�t use this usually in this capacity as the CCs are predetermined by the attending physician�s profile. However, if the dictating physician wants a physician added and you don�t know how to spell the name, you can Control A and enter the 1^st letter of the last name plus a question mark i.e., A?. Al the physician�s with A as the beginning of the last name will come up. I use this quite often to confirm spelling of physician names.

Control B

Bold

Control C

Copy. You can highlight any text in any document and Control C to import it to a new document or duplicate it in an existing document.

Control F

Opens Word�s Find screen, which allows you to search the document for text, formatting, special characters, etc. You may also access Find and Replace from this screen.

Control G

This allows you to change the routing for the report, which has been set up by the profile. For example, when you leave a report for review, you would Control G and remove all the routing with the exception of Transcription Department. That would allow it to print only here and nowhere else until we have completed the report. Once you have printed the report with the new routing, the default routing reappears.

Control H

Puts a document on hold. If you were transcribing a report and could not quite understand the physician�s H&P, you can Control H and then search for another H&P by that same physician to review.

Control J

Brings the TES screen up. This comes in handy when you are typing a report, choose a date of transcription from the list of dates, and then find that the dictation is for another date. Control J will bring up the TES screen, you then place a ? mark in the visit box and all of the visit dates for that patient will be displayed. You can then select the correct visit date for which the physician is dictating.

Control N

Saves, spell checks, and distributes documents.

Control O

Opens a document that has been put on hold.

Control P

Pause session.

Control Q

Exits ExText without saving the document.

Page 13

Control R

Brings up any normals established for the client from which you may choose.

Control S

Search for a document.

Control T

Cancels document without saving it. Sends voice back to pool.

Control V

Pastes any copied material to where you want it to go.

Control W

Changes worktype. When the TES screen comes up as an H&P and the doctor begins his dictation by saying he is typing an OP or Consult, you can make the change on this screen. However, if the doctor does not say anything about the work type and you begin typing, and then realize that the H&P is actually a consult, then you can Control W and it will bring up a list of templates. You identify the one you want, click on it, and it will import it into your document. This will also change your footer to be the correct work type. Remember to delete the original template from the document you are typing.

Control X

Allows you to cut something from one place and place in another place. Unlike Control C, it does not duplicate the material, just moves the original.

Ergonomics/keyboards - Posted By: Meezer

I started using a split keyboard years ago. I love them. The first one I had was PC Concepts, I believe. When I finally wore that one out and went to get another, I couldn't find that brand. I got Microsoft's keyboard next. It's okay, although the #6 key is on the left, which I found to be true of all the split keyboards. My PC Concepts KB had the #6 on the right, which made more sense to me. I was never able to adjust to this, so I constructed a "bridge" for the #6 key. I have never been able to find a split keyboard with the #6 on the right. Does anyone know of one?

Also, I use my mouse too much and I'm starting to get pains. Yea!! So, I'm wondering, does anyone use a split keyboard with a built-in mousepad-thingy on the bottom of the keyboard? I was thinking about trying one of these next, but I hate to spend the $ w/o getting some opinions first. If you use one, what brand; do you like it; does it really work; any suggestions?

Thanks!!

regarding MQ wanting e-mail from supervisors, etc. Why? Who cares what supervisors want? - Posted By: Just do your work.

It's like little kids wanting recognition from their parents. These supervisors for the most part are anonymous. Who really cares about e-mails from them unless they are offering more money or a bonus? There is nothing else I care to hear from them. I do my work with or without them. I figure everytime I get a supervisor e-mail, I am paying for it with my time and I am also paying that supervisor to state the obvious, either the account is behind or caught up. Really, I am paying the supervisor's salary.

grammar - Posted By: quite confused

I just got a correction back from the company I work for telling me the following sentence is incorrect: "He stated he would contact me should he wish to pursue more aggressive treatment, specifically, steroid injection or surgical treatment." They are telling me it should be "more aggressively treatment." Would someone please help me out here? Thanks!!

Bless my doggie, Lady, who passed away tonight. - Posted By: Sheri

Lady, I'll love you forever. Mama

Care Packages??? Help! - Posted By: me

My church is wanting to start giving care packages/baskets/bags to people who move into our community. Any ideas what we could put in them? Anybody's church do anything like this?

Thanks for any and all help!

about the checks from MQ... - Posted By: curiousMT

...mine was for $14 and some odd cents - now the question is, they actually took out all taxes and it comes to $3.63.

Pardon me for not knowing the law, but I always thought you could not take out taxes under a certain dollar amount. Anyone know if that is a law, or at the employer's discretion?

I appreciate the moneys owed; however, there is no 'real' explanation. Since I no longer work for MQ, and the check is only for $3+ dollars, I think I will hold on to it and wait to see what is going on.

Thanks.

Using Dictaphone - Posted By: Melia

How easy/difficult is it to use dictaphone? Is it user friendly or a pain in the rear. Thanks!!

INDIA #1LEADING US IN MTs - Posted By: ConeyIslandGirl

IINDIA LEADING US IN MTs-

It is no wonder India has more certified MTSs

than the USA. They have teamwork and they are hard workers. I have hardly encountered either of those attributes in MTs here.

PSYCH capitalize class names? - Posted By: MT

should i capitalize the names of school classes? English, science, math?

WANTED: - Posted By: SoftScript employees

Come to work for Soft Script. If you are a "newbie" transcriptionist, do not mind us stealing your lines, enjoy rude, threatening, and hateful e mails, and among numerous other things - you like to work for less than minimum wage, then we have the perfect position for you.

Yes folks, this is what you will get when you go to work for Soft Script, it is a lot of fun, everyone should try it.

NOT!!!!!!!!!

Yikes! - Posted By: See Article - sm

The $250 million lean medical transcription (MT) industry in India is racing ahead to grab a major slice of the global $12 billion pie.

Industry experts told Business Standard that as the industry is maturing, players are adopting productivity enhancing tools, stringent quality control measures and training programmes and top this with highly improved communication facilities.

With an acute shortage of required skill sets in the US, the industry is set to become a top foreign exchange earner in the coming years.

The industry, which collapsed due to the low quality of the MT business adhering to a view that the only skill required by employees in MT was to listen and type, has in the last two-three years witnessed a comeback with a strong consolidation.

As per a Nasscom report, MT will become the fourth largest foreign exchange earner in the next five years.

Shedding light over the industry's potential, Rajiv Shetye, vice-president (Indian operations), Spryance India says, "The Healthcare BPO is a $200 billion business worldwide and medical transcription alone is worth more than $12 billion. The $110 million Indian MT industry will grow to become a $ 5-6 billion one in the next three years."

With six to seven strong contenders and 200 serious players in all, the employment potential of the industry is huge.

"The MT service in India has generated over 20,000 jobs and will add atleast 25 per cent more jobs per year," said Suresh Nair, CEO and Managing Director, Spheris India and President, Indian Medical Transcription Industry Association (IMTIA).

As for Spheris, he said, "the company is growing at 50 per cent per annum and expects to increase its employee strength from 2,300 currently to 3,000 in the coming year."

Spryance has also deployed over 1200 MTs including home-based medical transcriptionists and editors. "In five years time we plan to ramp up our employee base to almost 10,000," says Shetye.

Noting that the Indian industry has come a long way from just employing English speaking graduates to employing doctors and students of medical science, Pankaj Bendigiri, an MBBS by qualification and manager of Spryance's Quality Assurance (QA) centre in Pune says, "MT as a profession is attracting doctors as it offers them lucrative remunerations and career options besides keeping them updated with the latest developments taking place in the field."

Spryance has 20 doctors in its 100 people team in Pune and has started a six month QA course for doctors.

"Currently the second batch of 13 doctors is undergoing training," said Bendigiri, adding that in the first batch they had trained seven doctors mostly from the disciplines of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) and Bachelor of Homeopathy Medicine and Surgery (BHMS).

With highly improved communication facilities, "The trend of home-based Medical Transcriptionists (HMT) is also on the rise," says Nair, who has 10 per cent of his 2,300 people team working from home and credits the industry average to be higher at 25 per cent with few companies recruiting over 90 per cent HMTs.

ASR advice - Posted By: just curious

When I am doing ASR, I am wondering if I over-edit? For example, in the lab section, if the doc says: Hemaglobin is 10. Hematocrit is 36. Platlets are 220,000. If I was striaght typing, I would have those in one sentence without the "is" in there... so in ASR I edit this out. This is just one example. The client has stated no preferences at all. I am feeling frustrated by not being able to pick up more speed with the ASR and I think this is the reason, my over-editing?

So I am looking for some opinions. When doing ASR, do you just let stuff stand as is, whatever they say goes, or do you edit to make it look pretty .

Ohhhh, the TEMPTATION... - Posted By: A. Nony. Moso.

... sent my team lead an e-mail message asking what to do when the patient being dictated on is a brand-new newborn baby, who apparently does not have an account in the system yet, and thus no demographic information can be found for the patient.

She wrote back and actually asked again if the dictation was on the baby or the mother.

I would not have asked the question if it had been the mother, who has an account in the system. Honestly, I am not THAT dumb. But I was good. I refrained from pointing this out, and merely answered "yes, it's the baby."

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RMT exam - Posted By: anon

Can anyone suggest study guides or materials to help prepare for the RMT exam?

Question for psych MTs regarding bipolar - Posted By: D

I have a friend that I've only known for about a year. We get together a lot because our kids are the same age, go to the movies on the weekend, etc. She's a lot of fun, well-educated, has a great career, and is a very sweet, wonderful mother.

However, about a month ago, she confided in me that she is bipolar, which completely took me by surprise. I would have never suspected that she has any mental health issues. In the last few weeks, she has said that she feels like she needs a different medication and that she feels a little off balance, although I haven't up until now seen any outward signs of that.

In the last few days, there have been a few times that she has said things that completely, totally do not make any sense. Tonight I called her to see if she wanted to go for pizza with the kids this weekend, and her response was, "Helium will be on the test." I asked her to repeat that, and she said, "I'm not making sense again, am I?" Then she said she had to go and hung up. I just sat there for a moment completely dumbfounded not even knowing what to make of what just had happened.

I don't have any clue about bipolar behavior and what that entails. Is this what happens with bipolar people? I'm really worried about her and would like to help her, but I haven't got a clue about what to do or who to ask.

fax to cell # - Posted By: Lisa

Anyone know if there is way to receive a fax to a cell phone? I do not have a landline and have a client that wants to fax. Can they fax to a cell # and then I download to my computer and print?

Flame - Posted By: Question

What does the really (looks like a yellow flame) mean by the postings?

LEADFEATHER - Are you still around? - Posted By: ssc

Desperately need your opinion. ssc

Any travelling MTs out there? - Posted By: pdqtrans

Considering packing up the dogs and going on road with the "ole man". Just curious what the best RV hook up is.

RE American Idol. In the past Simon has said (sm) - Posted By: wondering

America got it right. Do you think he will say that this year? In my opinion, these are the two WEAKEST contestants of this entire season. Taylor is very lounge-y and Kat is completely inconsistent. She'll do well with one song and not the other. I think Kat is more marketable and I think, somehow, Taylor made it in under the radar. JMO. What do you all think?

new to mt - need a spellchecker and wav pedal - Posted By: wynona

i've heard spellex is good. anyone have any experience with this program. all my friends seem to love it.

i also need a good wav pedal. used is fine.

tia all!

What should I charge for book manuscripts? - Posted By: Li

Hey ladies (and gents),

When I saw an opportunity to transcribe book manuscripts just a few hours a month, I thought it'd be a nice change from the usual MT. But I have NO idea what to charge. I've asked the woman to go into more detail, and this is what she gave me:

"The projects are anywhere from 3 hours - 12 hours of an author talking his book. A variety of subjects ranging from body building to business strategies. I have the document format set up. Most of the projects are 1 hr of audio = 2 1/2 hours of typing."

I'm so hoping someone here knows something about transcribing book manuscripts or can give me some ideas on how to figure a good rate. Please help - I need to get back with her today). Thanks much.