Any opinions? Spheris versus Transhealth

• Any opinions? Spheris versus Transhealth - Linda Anderson
  • spheris - sa
    • I work for Spheris too and I appreciate SM - PC
      • India - sa
  • TransHealth was just bought by - me
    • Spheris: RUN RUN RUN! - agreeMT
      • as in: RUN AWAY! - agreeMT

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I have had both and currently have Direct but have never liked it due to the poor programming guide (only allowed to set up one Favorites, have to stand almost in front of the receiver for the remote to work, very difficult to find anything on the guide, not good music channels, etc.).  I am only 9 months into a 2 year "programming contract" and feel I am going to be charged a cancellation fee though do not know how much.  Anyway, I would like opinions from others on the service, etc. of both these companies before I make my decision to switch.  Thanks to all who take the time to answer! 

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?

I am checking into other options for transcription.  Can anyone tell me how to compare all of these types of lines & also payment per word?  I know companies use different scales, so I wondered how they compare.  I have been paid on a 65 character line with spaces, but I may be making a change in the future - don't want to get burned.

Thank you in advance!

I have always charged or been paid by 65 or 60 character lines or per letter or space typed, but have never been paid or charged per gross line.

What is the advantage of this?  If I were to charge 11 cents per 65-character line including spaces, what does this figure out to for an average line rate and how do you do this calculation? 

I'm wondering if it is financially beneficial for me to bill by gross line or to keep it the way I have it.  I do know some accounts will only pay per 65-character line, as this was the deal my first own account I recently acquired.  They were adamant on a 65-character line, but didn't specify with or without spaces and I personally would never not charge for spaces.

Thanks for explaining this.  I appreciate it and hope everyone has a speedy day.

Anybody with comments with regards to TransHealth.  Thanks in advance.

I am considering a position with this company and would appreciate any info you might have.  Thanks.

Any info on TransHealth would be appreciated.  I am considering accepting a position with them.

Thanks.

Does anyone know if any of these 3 companies use the Dictaphone ExText platform?  Thanks

Does anyone use software for transcription that has the automatic faxing and e-mailing so the doctor's office doesn't have to pay staff to do this? 

Was it expensive for you to buy - does the vendor charge you a per line fee or any fee for this - is it easy for you to use - and do you feel that the doctors like this kind of software and its faxing and emailing of transcripts to referring physicians functions?  Also, do you have names of companies you could give so that I could possibly check into this?  I am currently using a phone-in system but I thought an automatic faxing software would draw in prospective doctor clients. 

Any opinions, good and bad, are welcomed.   Thank you. 

Does anyone use software for transcription that has the automatic faxing and e-mailing so the doctor's office doesn't have to pay staff to do this? 

Was it expensive for you to buy - does the vendor charge you a per line fee or any fee for this - is it easy for you to use - and do you feel that the doctors like this kind of software and its faxing and emailing of transcripts to referring physicians functions?  Also, do you have names of companies you could give so that I could possibly check into this?  I am currently using a phone-in system but I thought an automatic faxing software would draw in prospective doctor clients. 

Any opinions, good and bad, are welcomed.   Thank you.

I'm still firmly of the opinion that it does suck.  I hate it.  The poster who said it's just a mess to clean up, is absolutely correct.  That's the whole problem.  Some doctors are great,  others are so-so, and many are just a mess.  You waste more time backing up and correcting, and could have typed it by hand in the first place with less grief and frustration.

Yes, maybe it is the wave of the future, but as many bad dictators as there are, there are always going to be people needed for them.   Let the ones who love speech rec go for it.  It might help some, saving some people's hands, and boosting production somewhat, but I'd really like to talk to the people themselves who love it and supposedly have great production, rather than just seeing a generic sheet of numbers that the supervisors wave around for show. 

No, it was not the Dragon program, and not a national company. 

This is not on just a few providers, it's about 70% of them in a quite large facility, ESLs included right along with the stumblers and mumblers.

Correct, the supervisors are pushing this program so hard, to save money. Yes, it can be a great help to some, but not to all. 

Medical reports can be extremely complicated, and are in no way comparable to social work reports.  One person, consistently dictating all the time, compared to an assortment of 20-30 dictators/speech patterns at random, with different types of reports?  No, there's no comparison. 

All in all, it does suck to work with.  And if I'm not taken off the program at the end of three months, then I will probably quit.  It might help me somewhat, but I doubt it's going to boost my production that much.  We'll see what happens.  To me, it's not worth the stress and frustration. 

I am SO sorry for reposting this. If I knew how to remove my other post from the pressure valve, I would... I do not want to get in trouble for multiple postings, so PLEASE forgive that mistake. I just don't think that the PV gets as much traffic as this board, and I really need some help right now! 

Can I get an opinion from someone who is experienced in this business?  I am a relatively new MT...  I have only been doing this job since March 2005, so less than a year. 

I work as an independent contractor at .08 per line.  My employer is a really nice person, but she will frequently need help over the weekend.  I have always said sure because I want to make myself valuable to her.  However, I have always done as much as I can do comfortably and still have time with my family over the weekend. 

I did an extra 1000 lines this weekend, which takes me about 6 hours because I am still new and research everything if I am not totally familiar with the terms.  I got an email this morning saying that, basically, I had not done enough to help her and she ended up doing "most of it" herself.

My feeling is that she is the owner of this business.  If she overextends herself as far as taking on work and she has to work all weekend to get it done, that's what she has to do as the owner of this business.  If she wants to pay a weekend differential to me, then sure... I will make plans with my husband to take the kids on his own and I will work all weekend now and then.  But if I am working for the same rate, I am not willing to work all week and then work all weekend too and miss out on my husband and children.  Isn't it customary and expected to offer a differential for working weekends and holidays?

I am a bit miffed because I gave up most of my Saturday and an hour or so on Sunday to help her out, and now I am criticized for not doing more for the same pay. Any input from you experienced MTs?

I am sitting on my email reply, but it does have this in it:

"I am happy to help as much as I can over a weekend without a differential, but I will need to do so around my family's schedule."

I need to reply to her email, but am not sure what to say. Thank you in advance for your help.  

Yesterday, I received an announcement in the mail regarding the graduation of a long-time ex-friend's daughter's graduation...wheew!

My question to y'all is...the last time this ex-friend and I spoke, we were not on good terms..and actually, she wasn't really a friend.  She was an MTSO that I worked for for about a year.  Turned out (and long story short) she was a crazy person!!!  Anyway, I was very surprised to receive this announcement.

What would y'all do? Send the girl money?...I have nothing against her, though I don't really know her that well...trash the announcement and forget about it, or what? I am by no means going to attend the ceremony, but should I even acknowledge the receipt of the announcement?

I feel like the "friend" just...like my daughter said...went through her address book and sent everyone in it an announcement...probably just for gifts...your help would be so appreciated!

I don't believe I am looking for acceptance or any such thing from my mother, but rather I truly care about my father and aunt's health.  I think sometimes people are very close to a situation and may not be able to see outside of themselves. 

Also, I never said, nor do I believe, that an MT has anything on a NP.  I only believe that we do have some medical knowledge and can sometimes pick up on things.  Years ago my dad had a constant cough.  His doctors (IM, card, pulm) or my mother couldn't figure it out.  I asked if he had started any new medications and he had started an ACE.  He changed meds and his cough was gone. 

I have to think a little more about this, but I do appreciate all the help.