Buy handheld digital recorders.

Don't go cheap on those for several reasons. One, they higher-end recorders will be easier for the docs to backup and edit their recording. Also, they are better built and the sound quality is better.

Your basic needs are recorders, playback software, foot pedal to control playback and a secure, HIPAA-compliant method of transmitting files. There is so much information out there. Your best bet is to first get educated on how digital works. Try a Google search and also search this site since there have been many requests for the same information you're seeking.

If you want someone who will outline the steps, do set up and/or training, etc., you would do well to hire a consultant.

• Going digital - sm - sammypot
  • Buy handheld digital recorders. - sm

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Anyone familiar with the digital recorders?  One of my docs wants to get a recorder and send me his voice files via email, he's not worried about being encryped or anything like that.  I think he is looking, of course, to get the cheepest one out there.  Is there anything specific that I need to tell him that these recorders need to have??  Is the docking station that come with some just for convenience or is that the only way to send the files via email?

Thanks ya'all!

I thought I posted this message, but I do not see it.

THis is for anyone that can help with digital recorders that they would recommend.  Thanks for all the help with the digital information, which I have researched FTP sites and so on.  I now know how it works and what I need to do. I now need help on the best digital recorders that you have experience with. I have a few Olympus DS4000, they seem expensive, and I will need 3 for each office, so I need cheap, but of good quality.  DS2 sounds good since you cannot edit, which a few state is not a good thing to have as Docs have problems with this. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Again  

I am just curious how this works.  Does the doc dictate on the digital recorder and then just plug into the computer and upload the dictation via e-mail to be downloaded by the MT?  I have been wanting to switch to digital for a LONG time but just haven't taken the time to research this.  Presently, I have several doctors that I transcribe for but they dictate on microcassettes.  Some of them don't want to change -- just stuck in their ways, but I think it would be easier for them and me and would save me a lot of $$$ on gas. 

Is there a lot involved in getting this set up? I mean, besides purchasing the recorders?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!

BUT she wants me logged into the system by 9:30 a.m.  So I'm confused too.  I've decided that I may come back to her and just say I'm not going to do the tapes anymore.  I hate the tapes anyway.  The voice quality is horrible, it fades in and out.  It takes me twice as long to transcribe their tapes than the digital.

Hello

My doctors use Olympus recorders.  One doctor does well with the DS-10.  The other uses the DS-330 (No longer in production).  The DS-330 has the advantage of overwriting.  For instance, if the doctor makes a mistake, he can back up and record over what he has already taped; however, this was a disadvantage for my other doctor, who taped over his entire morning of dictation by accident by hitting a wrong button.  It depends on the doctor.  With the DS-10, you cannot tape over anything.  I know with both of them the software provided will automatically put it on the computer once plugged in if you set it to do so, but if you are sending the audio files over e-mail, you should consider first encrypting the file for confidentiality reasons before sending.  I use e-mail, because it is free, and it was easiest to train the office staff to use.  When getting a handheld, you want to consider the types of files also.  A .dss file is much smaller than a .wav file or a mp3 file.  That is also why I went to Olympus recorders, because they record in .dss format, which makes for much faster upload and download times.  If you have other questions, please e-mail me.

Lynn

that allows upload to FTP.  Without that, FTPVoyager is useless.  Make sure you buy handheld units that have the software capability to upload to FTP otherwise you'll be stuck.

If you find that handheld units with the upload software is out of your price range, consider the EZ-Voice solution.

Good luck!

they use in some hospitals to keep track of vitals, meds and patient information.

I know of one hospital that uses this and it is used in rehab.  They don't need transcriptionists at all.  

I am going to visit some family members in a couple of months and I would like to record some family stories and family history. Any suggestions on a type/brand of voice recorder that willl pick up sound very well but not require that it be right next to the person who is speaking? There are likely to be two or three people talking, and also I don't want to make people self-conscious about being recorded, so I would prefere to be able to place it somewhere unobtrusive.

TIA.

Hi,

I read your post and was wondering if I could get in this thread?  I don't have my own accts yet, I work for a small national and a large national.  However, I am seriously thinking about getting my own accts.  Before I go looking, I thought it would be good idea to have a digital system in mind and ready to set up. 

One idea that I have seen that I found really interesting was in the Transcription Gear Catalog.  There is a 2 page spread about their idigital system.  This is a toll free dictation ASP, very similar to what the nationals have, I would think.  With this system, you pay for the minutes that you will use during the month.  Has anyone else used this type of system?  Any thoughts about it?

FTP stands for file transfer protocol. An FTP program transfers files (uploads and downloads) from a virtual warehouse on the Internet, called an FTP site. FTP sites are rented by size. FTP programs are free or cost a fee. You can post ANYTHING to an FTP site. You can put your's kid's first grade picture there. You can put your resume there. You can put your back up data from your Quicken there. You can put a love letter there. You can put a .wav file there. You can put a MSWord document there. You can create folders there. You can password protect your ftp site and some software allows encryption, different levels of user permissions, etc.  Once it is there, anyone who has the password to your FTP site can then go and pull it off. i.e. TRANSFER the FILE.  So if your doctor dictates on a digital recorder, downloads the voice file into his PC, then uploads the .wav file to the FTP site, you can go to the FTP site, download the .wav file, transcribe it, post a .doc back to the FTP site wherein your doc can then go to the FTP site, pull the .doc off. Voila!

Hello

My doctors use Olympus recorders.  One doctor does well with the DS-10.  The other uses the DS-330 (No longer in production).  The DS-330 has the advantage of overwriting.  For instance, if the doctor makes a mistake, he can back up and record over what he has already taped; however, this was a disadvantage for my other doctor, who taped over his entire morning of dictation by accident by hitting a wrong button.  It depends on the doctor.  With the DS-10, you cannot tape over anything.  If you are sending the audio files over e-mail, you should consider first encrypting the file for confidentiality reasons before sending.  I use e-mail, because it is free, and it was easiest to train the office staff to use.  There is a free software program, ZipGenius that will encrypt your files.  Yes it is free.  When getting a handheld, you want to consider the types of files also.  A .dss file is much smaller than a .wav file or a mp3 file.  That is also why I went to Olympus recorders, because they record in .dss format, which makes for much faster upload and download times.  If you have other questions, please e-mail me.  Also as one poster has already said, the express scribe software is great and free as well.  I bought the recorders.  They have already paid for themselves in gas and time. 

Lynn

I have a couple of accounts that I go daily and pick up tapes/deliver.  One of the docs wants to start sending me dictation via computer but does not know how to go about it.  I must admit I have no clue.  Can anybody point me in the right direction?  Thanks in advance.

Hello,

I need help from anyone that can write in and give me suggestions.  I was just approached by a physician that has 4 in a group and they want to go digital and have me do their transcription.  This would be a great opportunity as I have just lost 4 of my accounts to outsourcing to India, so I need all the help.  They need to know how this can be set up.  Do they need a FTP site and do I need one?  What kind of system do they need and all the basics.  I am sure the easiest and cheap way to do this over the internet the better, as you know physicians-HAHAH. Also if Patty is on any information from you would be appreciated.  I have this weekend to work on this and give them a proposal on Monday with the costs.  I know what to charge by line as I am an IC already; I just need help on the way to get me the files and for them to send. I presently do tapes and pick up still.

Thanks Everyone in Advance!!

Thanks everyone that wrote in with suggestions about going digital.  I have a few questions about the brand of digital recorder.  I researched the Olympus, but do you recommend the ones that have editing capabilities or not, as I am unsure what this really means.  Any other types that your Docs use would be helpful.

Thanks!!

I think you misread me.  I am landing the account.  The Drs are paying for it all.  I just need to know what recorders are the best and cheapest.  I also need to know what wav pedal is compatible with Olympus.  They are paying for the FTP sites.  They just wanted me to research everything and give them the prices. Sorry if I confused anyone.  

http://www.transcriptiongear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=T&Category_Code=DIGITAL-TOP

Sorry, the link didn't post. The tricks are to get your doctor(s) to give up their old recorder(s) and learn to use the new one(s) and also having office staff able to download the recorders reliably and retrieve/print the reports/notes, etc...You will love the convenience, but if you're in-house it still won't help locate patient charts (LOL)