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rates - Posted By: mm

can anyone tell me average rate per line for the north east area? I was thinking 14-18 cpl?

Telephone dictation for your clients - Posted By: Sarah

Anyone interested in offering toll free dial in dictation to their clients? I found a small company that is offering this service for $45/mo. It seems very reliable and they deliver my dictation files via FTP as a .wav file.

If interested reply back and I'll send you their contact info.

operative report vs procedure - Posted By: confused

I used to think I understood the difference between these two types of reports (operative versus procedure). Somehwere along that way, amidst dozens and dozens of account profile specifications, technology advances and MDs who always key in the OP code regardless of report type, I am not so sure anymore. I would like to try to elicit a consensus on how transcriptionists distinguish between these two report types and what criteria they are using to do this?

Is anyone following Big Brother on CBS? - Posted By: I'm bored and hooked on show.

Just me? My big treat is watching tonight at 8:00 and it is the stupidest show on TV, reality-wise. Love to hate it.

Lines Per Hour - Posted By: IC MT

I hope someone can help me on this one. I have a neighbor whom I've known for about a year and she has been doing transcription for about 5 years--I've been doing it for 8. I can type about 95 wpm and average about 350 lph. However, she says that she is able to do about 600-800 lph with the help of her expansion software (no voice recognition). I don't want to insult her intelligence by asking to see her paycheck, but is this high of a line count even possible??

She and I both work for small transcription companies (not the same ones), so we both have the advantage of having our own accounts that we share with no one else (same dictators all day, every day). Because of this, I know that we do share the ability to get higher line counts than most. (And no voice recognition.)

I have not yet installed my expansion software that I have had for months, so I've only been using what is built into Microsoft Word. My neighbor was trying to convince me how important it is that I start using one immediately. I agree that I need to start using it, but I just find it really hard to believe that she can hit anywhere near 800 lines per hour!

Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon? Is it possible? Should I now set my goals a little higher??

working early AM hours - Posted By: anon

I am considering changing my hours starting work around 4 am in order to finish up earlier. Are they any of you who do this and have young kids to get up and moving in the morning too. My goal is to finish early in the summer months. I will have interuptions from seven to about nine with getting the kids ready and off to summer camp for the morning. So I would like to start as early as possible in order to get as much done as possible before they even get up. I don't know if I can do the 4 am thing, tho. I don't get to bed all that early. To those of you that do this, how do you get yourself up and moving at such an early hour????

Spelling - Posted By: pdqtrans

Doc dictating "I will order a single dose of Zofran for her nausea". He is even kind enough to spell it.

S-O-P-H-R-A-N !!!!!!

What to do for mid-month cravings? - Posted By: nance

Help, ladies! I am 42 and am finding myself having major mid-month cravings now. I am not overweight and keep in good shape through diet and exercise, but come mid-month of my cycle all you-know-what breaks loose! It has become nothing to buy and eat a bag of chips, a large chocolate bar, and then go prowling around my house for something else "bad" to eat. After a few days I feel back to normal, but I really feel out of control for a few days a month now. Any suggestions?

ALL POSTERS PLEASE READ - Posted By: Goldbird (Moderator)

There is no need to play grammar school marm here. Do not correct other poster's spelling, grammar, etc.

Goldbird

Totally not MT-related, but need advice - Posted By: on Crockpot replacement...see msg

My old crockpot (have had it for 20+ years) needs to be replaced. It seems to work fine but the plastic lid is totally cracked. It's probably losing heat because of this, so I would like to get a new one. I know there are some folks on here who use their crockpots a lot and was hoping for a little advice. I was thinking about getting a programmable one. I don't really NEED it, since I'm at home working anyway, but wonder if it offers any advantages over the regular kind. I would probably get the 5-quart model. Any feedback would be appreciated. TIA.

Sometimes I need a *Do Not Disturb* on my office door - Posted By: jus me

I can't break myself from being always available to my kids, and I guess I shouldn't complain because they're 25 and 18 and both still love to stop in my office door and stand there and talk anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour in the afternoon, but it really makes me so unproductive in the afternoon. This is especially rough when I know I'm behind and need to be pounding the keys, but HEY, I know the day is coming when they don't stand here and talk to me, so I try my hardest to listen when they want to talk. It's really tough though. Anyone else have trouble with this? When the talk dwindles I do tell them I need to get back to work and they're generally good about letting me, but I can't stop them when they feel the need to be here talking to me. Guess I wish I had 2 sets of ears so I could work while I listen to them too.

Anyone know of online production seminars for WP like Laura Bryan offers - Posted By: elle

for Word? I have only used Word before, now new company requires WP. Just feel like I'm grinding gears trying to get used to this. I would like to start with the basics. Thanks.

PowerScribe - Posted By: Patches

Does anyone know about PowerScribe for Radiology? This account has about 1300 reports daily?

Is Emdat Word-based? - Posted By: Can you use Dragon Naturally Speaking with it?

nm

Making a Letterhead Template - Posted By: Dave

Can anyone give advice on making a letterhead template so that the letterhead logo and contact info is in the 'background' of the Word document and will not count as characters during the line count.

This letterhead has a logo and text that goes down a column on the right side of the page about 3-4 inches, so I can't just do it all in a header, since it goes so far down the page.

Thank you

Barbara Tice - I trained you 10 years ago - Posted By: Ronnie MT

Hey Barb:

I was looking through some of these boards and came across something you applied for in Raleigh in September. I worked with you all those years ago and would like to catch up. Write me.

Radiology Pay. - Posted By: kyradmt

I was just wondering what other rad MT's are earning out there - and are U paid by report or by line? Which method do U think is better?

To those MTs who suggested the FTP (free) software SM - Posted By: thanks for the help!!

Thank you so much! DH downloaded it, installed it, and I am transferring files with no problems....something the IT department of this MTSO couldn't do in six weeks of haggling!!! So thanks to those of you who helped out - it was GREATLY appreciated!

Lanier LX-219-1 - Posted By: Carol

Can someone tell me what the VVI board underneath the Lanier machine is used for?? Does the Lanier machine with the phone attachment work the same way even though it does not have that VVI board???

burnout/changing companies - Posted By: tiredMT

Hi everyone - I post here frequently but I need to remain anonymous for this one; hope you understand.

I'm looking for thoughts from MTs about whether switching to a different company alleviated burnout. I am trying to figure out if it's MT itself, or just the service I work for, that is causing my severe burnout.

I'm on the verge of hauling myself to a doctor for antidepressants (paying out of pocket, of course... no psych insurance coverage as an IC!) and my line counts have dropped drastically. I have bilateral CTS to boot. I'm struggling pretty badly with all the "classic" burnout signs.

Thanks all!

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Sincerely,

(end)

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

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

Keyboard Opinions - Avant versus Kinesis - Posted By: Dixierose

I am faced with a decision between these 2 keyboards, both with pros and cons. I would like to take a survey to see what everyone's opinion would be. I strongly prefer a programmable keyboard, as I would like to change some of the keys around to suit me, but will I regret not having an ergo keyboard in the long run? Will I like the IBM clicky type keys?

KINESIS FREESTYLE KEYBOARD
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-v3-10-blk_690x306.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo_us_legend.jpg

It splits and tents.
Delete key is on left side (which I love)
All other function keys are in the wrong place for me.
Quiet low-force tactile membrane switch
10 function keys on left
Keypad separate purchase
2 year warranty
60-day money back guarantee
Price: $124.15 with the options I chose

AVANT STELLAR KEYBOARD
http://www.lonestarkeyboards.com/Avant-Stellar-Programmable-Keyboard/productinfo/KB%2D00%2D1001/
(click on additional images for close up)
I actually went to the manufacturer website (http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm) but they didn�t have any large photos so I went to a reseller for larger images.

Straight keyboard
Can program any key to another function.
Mechanical click/tactile key switches like the old IBM keyboards
12 function keys on left that can be reprogrammed
Keypad built in
2 year warranty
30-day money back guarantee
Price: $189.00
Macro programming features
PS/2 interface but can buy PS to USB cord (I find this a little odd)
Programming software not compatible with Vista but can be programmed through the keyboard

This is from the sales rep I spoke to this week:
Have you ever heard of Northgate OmniKey keyboards? We purchased the rights to the keyboards when they went out of business. It is like typing on an old IBM keyboard. It is a loud click, you know when you hit a key. A lot of customers say they make fewer errors and I personally agree. I have had my Avant for a little over 10 years and I type all day long. I also have one at home. It might help for you to listen to this review on our website: http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/menu.htm
Click on HEAR OUR INTERVIEW ON Lets talk Computers. Avant is VERY reliable. We sell to a lot of medical transcriptionists, writers, gamers, call center operators, etc. People that type 8 hours a day 5+ days per week. Our keyboards can really take a beating.

What'cha think?

Travel and work - Posted By: Julia

As my parents are getting older I would like to visit with them more often. I live in the south and they live on the West Coast. I would like to work from their house, but they don't have an internet connection. I have thought about wi-fi but this presents privacy issues and the inconvenience of having to drive to Starbucks every day. My parents are not receptive to getting an internet connection as they do not have a computer. Anyone have any ideas how I can get some work done and yet still travel to see them several times a year?

Stock proposal forms - Posted By: Suzanne

Does anyone have a "stock" proposal form they use to bid on transcription work? Thanks.

I don't knwo what this word is supposed to be. - Posted By: Kristy

T1 and dual spin echo weighted a blick and coronal and T1 weighted a blik. This is what it sounds like it is Radiology.

VR Tips - Posted By: Help

Okay, since so many of us are being transitioned into VR, I thought it might be helpful to start a thread discussing helpful tips on how to be more productive with VR.

For some dictators (the ones that have the "good" VR come through), I have found that reading through the report and changing it to go more with accounts specifics gets me through it faster than trying to change while listening.

I also like to use ctrl + lft arrow key to skip by words instead of by letters.

Other than that . . . I really suck at VR, which is why I am hoping to see if anyone has tips or suggestions on how to help make all MTs more productive on VR.

TIA.

toxic friends/relatives--ADMINISTRATOR PLEASE EXPLAIN - Posted By: why you erase something before you so boldly/rudel

Mine is my mother. She is an extremely angry woman, and I honestly think, her seeing me happy, makes her dislike me even more. When I go to visit, which is not often anymore, she sarcastically says "yay look whos here" and does not have anything nice to say to me. She is usually drunk or on drugs so she falls asleep when I try to talk to her, and she criticizes my every decision and points out the things about myself that I hate. One thing, is that i'm not good with people, and she has to remind me of this on a daily basis, like when I tell her i'm going to start school or take classes she will say "but youre not good with people, I bet youre nervous" or snide remarks to that effect. She criticizes how I look, how I do my hair, what I wear, just about everything. When I leave there, for the next couple of days, I feel very angry, my self esteem feels as low as it did when I was a kid, and i'm just sick. I know she is my "mother" but its affecting me so much that I think I would have a better life if I distanced myself and not let her be so involved where it would affect me. Wondering if anyone had to make this painful decision with someone close to them. I'm changing and she is stuck in this bitter hate the world phase, where she has always been.

Does anyone else freak when work runs low? - Posted By: FOMT

We received an email a few days back discussing about a low workload. Also received another email for maybe increased workload on another account. I get nervous and ready to jump when this happens. It's a very bad time of year for this to happen (like any time is a good time). The work is great but the pay is on the low side, especially with my experience (21 years). I took this position some months ago at the referral of another MT I know, hoping this would be it, but I really don't think it is.

I have been browsing the job boards this morning, almost applying with another company, but something made me close the browser, thinking maybe I should hang tight for another week and see what happens.

Does anyone else do this? I'm really thinking I should maybe look elsewhere because I've always thought, work smart, not hard. This pay scale is just a bit too low at 7 cpl.

New computer - dictionary seems limited - Posted By: Laurie

My desktop crashed so I bought a laptop. The dictionary for the system does not seem to be picking up near the medical terms my desktop did and the new computer has a newer version of MSWord. Is there anything I can do to expand this? I have Stedman's but some of the things it is saying I am misspelling are very basic medical terms and I did not have this problem with my old computer.

Line counts -sm - beat ya - Posted By: Patti

Hey since everyone is bragging I just did 563 lines in 2036 minutes -- sorry had to put that in but it is true but I forgot to sign off my document on as I went to bed. Guess I don't make the 2000 club in the last 24 hour period.

Newbie Training suggestions - Posted By: GeorgiaMT

Good morning everyone..I have been an MT for 12 years and have a friend who would like to be an MT also. She has an educational background in anatomy, physiology I think--that kind of stuff. She wants to give it a try without getting formal MT training. I know what you guys are going to say, but you know how it is. I am sure all of us have had people who think we are just "typists." Even though I know this will be a HUGE challenge for her, I have agreed to try to help her Do you guys have any ideas where she should start? I am interested in only positive responses please--thanks ladies/gents!!!!

What the best software to use? - Posted By: ana

Me and a couple of my MT friends have decided to make a small little MT company. You know just the three girls, made a lil pamplet and all. We're hoping by banding together we can met new clients ect. I was wondering what Mt software -for when the clients upload the audio files-should we use? We're on a budget and can't afford the 2,500 SW that's we've seen online. ANy suggestions?

Need advice - Posted By: Irish

Hi Anyone/everyone.

I need some frank advice about this profession.

I have relatively easy dictators. I recently purchased Instant Text and am learning it . . My QA is good and I have not yet had any report/dictator I am unable to do. Yet I struggle daily to make my line counts. I feel like I am working all day every day.

Life circumstances prevent me from working outside the home right now. I know I am blessed to be available to family members at a very difficult time.

Does anyone have any advice? How long does it take to able to produce 1200 lines daily without struggling?

Thanks for any/all suggestions.

Touchworks - Posted By: Momo3Reds

The office I have worked for for the past 14 years will be going to EMR in 3 months using a system called Touchworks. My understanding is they will enter most of the patient's note by touch screen in the room at the time of the visit but still dictate a small amount of the note, such as the Plan, as well as letters of referral, patient letters, etc. They would like the office note transcribed and then placed in the patient's electronic medical record. Can anyone offer me some advice about what equipment I would need to do that?

One of my clients for whom I have done only - Posted By: Questions

tapes for has given me a CD to load onto my computer. I haven't put it on yet but I'm wondering if you all can help. It's an Olympus CD and looks like it's for .wav files which is what he intends. He says I should be able to load this onto my computer and then after that, he can email me voice files. Now, is this correct and what will I need to have in order to play and transcribe his voice files? I have a Bytescribe pedal. Please tell me I won't have to buy a different pedal for this! Thanks in advance for any help!

MTSOs who work with call-in dictating systems. See inside. - Posted By: MTSO

If you work with a call in system, would you be willing to share if you like it/don't like it, how your transcriptionists acess their work (internet or through the call in system), where did you buy your system and is it efficient, etc. Thanks.

Does Anyone Know of A Good Medical Spell Checker For Office 2007? - Posted By: kittymt

Hello all! I am new to these boards :) . My husband bought me a new computer with office 2007 installed on it for Christmas :). I was curious if anyone knew of a good medical spell check for Office 2007. Thanks In Advance!!!

PDF Converter - Posted By: Rosepetal

Need a PDF converter to MSWord. Anyone know of a user friendly converter?

DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE-ms - Posted By: Frazzeled

a black vanity sink? Any tips on how to keep it looking good? DH had to have it when we redid the bathroom, and it looks great, as long as no one uses it!!! Any advice appreciated. TIA

Anyone heard more on the LA Teamsters - Posted By: curious MQer

They said they were interested in taking us but I haven't heard anything else. Cowgirl and "less than McDonald's" said it all last night.

Does anyone know of a truly unlimited long - Posted By: stressed

distance plan that doesn't involve VoIP? I'm in the southeast. I have unlimited LD with BellSouth, but unlimited to them and unlimited to me isn't the same thing and I've heard about the nightmares others have had with the $500 phone bills.

I've googled and googled and not finding much information about reliable companies that may offer this.

So what do you do to keep motivated to type during the work day? Sometimes I find it so hard to... - Posted By: KYMT

stay focused. When you're working at home it is soooo easy to turn on the TV, take frequent breaks to answer the phone, talk to hubbie, play with the kids, take a hot bath, play solitaire on the PC, surf the net, post on a message board, etc.

I just wondered if anyone had any miracle cure for the wandering mind?

Any American Idol Fans out there ? - Posted By: hc

nm

Which wireless card plan - Posted By: works best for MT work?

I am thinking about getting a wireless card from Verizon, Cinguar, or whoever but I am not sure what to get or how much data I use? Can someone explain this stuff to me? I have dial up and I think I have to get something because it is getting hard to find work with dial up. Thanks

I want to buy a good computer for transcription, mine seems to be bogged down, what I need - Posted By: Kat

How much Ram, processor anything should I be looking for? I have the Windows XP office to put in it, so I'm not concerned about that, but I want something with speed and can hold the software and everything. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! ~ Thanks

Help with numbering/indents in Word/EXText - Posted By: WordDummy

Any of you computer smarties out there who can help me out? I'm new to Word Client and EXText and I'm trying to figure out the least maddening way to set up my lists and numbers. I already have a great macro for when they dictate 1., 2., 3., etc. so no problem there. My problem comes in when some of these guys want 1. and then a., b. c. They want it to be set up like this (hope it comes out right)

1. text text text

a. Text

b. Text

2. Text

a. Text.

I can get my a. b. c. macro to look right when I type it as a stand alone macro, but if I have done my 1.2.3. macro and then try to do the a.b.c. underneath the 1, then it scoots the a. waaaay too far over to the right, to where it is under the second word of the text, not lined up right under the first letter of the text under 1. Does anyone know of a way to do this that doesn't involve a bunch of time and extra key strokes? Hope this makes sense trying to explain it, I'm waiting on deliverye of my Word For Dummies book but then had the thought that I have seen computer-related questions answered here before and thought I would give it a shot. TIA.

My left elbow is killing me! SM - Posted By: Chickadee

Stretching out my arm and picking up a reference book is agony. An easy solution is to move all my books to my right side, but is this caused by MTing or sleeping on it (I almost always sleep on my left side with that arm folded under my pillow) or combo of the two? I've typed about "elbow cradles"...do they help? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Chickadee

Shorthand and MedRite XL? - Posted By: Whorn

Hi!

Would anyone know if ShortHand can be used with MedRite XL? Thanks for any info!

Help with an older Lanier system - Posted By: Jody

I need to get an owner's manual for an older analog call-in system by Lanier. I believe it is called the voicewriter 650 model #P145. It is the one that has four microcassettes in a carousel on top that spins. I got it from a friend, but of course she can't find the manual and I don't know the functions and she can't remember all of them I have tried calling Lanier and they have given my like five different numbers and no one can seem to help and it is frustrating. So I thought someone on here might be familiar with the system or know how to get a manual or if there is one online. Thank you in advance for any help!

I was so freaked last night. We almost had a house fire - Posted By: grateful today

due to Christmas lights. If we had left the lights on all night, we definitely would have had a fire. For some strange reason, one of my kids unplugged the lights. Then he told us there were burn marks on the plug. The plug-ins had melted the power strip, and the carpet was even hot. That would have really sucked. Last year, one of my neighbors down the street lost her home to a fire right before Christmas.