Do any of you transcribe using a laptop?
Posted By: Linda Andrews, CMT, FAAMT on 2006-05-18
In Reply to:
I'm just looking for information about how laptops work for transcribing. If you answer, would you give me a little information to let me know how much transcription you do on your laptop, etc. In other words, if you only do a few reports on one, that's one thing. If you do major transcription on it, that's another. Thanks for the information!!!
LINK/URL: The Andrews School of Medical Transcription and Coding
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I hope I dont sound naive, can you tell me how you travel with a laptop and transcribe? I have neve
I have never done this but I'm trying to plan it so it is feasible for me. I know to travel I'd need a laptop. Does the laptop accomodate a regular foot pedal or does it take a USB and also do your headphones plug into it? What do you do about internet when traveling? Thanks, you can email the info if you'd like, I'd like to get these plans figured out and all the answers on this I could get would be great!
To all of you Escriptionist out there...Laptop question. Have any of you found a laptop that you can
thing. I tried one of those adapter that goes from the 9-pin to the USB but when I plugged in the USB my foot pedal did not work right. I know supposedly there is a help section on the escription website that says the adapter may work and how to make them compatible etc but it never worked for me. Has any of you find a solution or a laptop that this foot pedal with work with. I'd like to work while traveling and get a laptop but it never worked on my old one. Ideas??
transcribe it
there is no reason not to. You are a "professional" which presumes the information will remain confidential no matter who it is. I happen to live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else and half the town is related. Nothing would ever get typed if that was a consideration.
I tried to transcribe one of those
*mask* things once (and ONLY once). What a crock! It's like trying to transcribe an auctioneer. I always wondered how the accuracy couldn't suffer with this method. (I guess I was right, considering the government is now using it.) They make less money because there isn't much skill involved in doing it that way. Legitimate court reporters go to school for quite some time and have to learn what's basically another form of shorthand. (It's been years, and I might be wrong, but I believe, for example, the letters PB=N (or something like that. LOL).
I was around when the court reporters in my area went from straight dictation to *the computer.* In fact, I did editing/scoping work for one court reporter who bought the new system, way back when the technology first became available. (She also bought my computer for me to do her work and anything else I wanted to do on it, and part of her *offer* was that after two years, I would own the computer outright!) It's a whole different world than transcribing. I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now. It's easier for the court reporter, who can pull his or her notes right up on the screen when something doesn't make sense and see where the *typo* was and figure out what it actually should have been. So in order to be an Editor for a court reporter today, you basically not only have to know how to read their notes, but knowing how to read their TYPOS is the important thing. This particular court reporter had the wisdom to know when her notes weren't that good, and rather than give me a very sloppy transcript to edit, she'd dictate it instead. She was a great person, and I miss her a lot.
Scoping/editing for a court reporter is a great field to get into if that's your cup of tea. If you're a typist, it's real difficult to get the "rhythm" that you can get when transcribing, and that's what I don't like about it. (Very same thing with VR in medical transcription today.) However, after doing this kind of work for 20 years, I might wake up tomorrow with carpal tunnel and might be forced to pursue it.
One thing about court reporters, from my own personal experience in my area: They are the most generous, easy-going, NICEST people I've ever encountered, considering the enormous amount of stress they're always exposed to. Back in the 1980s, I remember reading stats on suicide rates, and court reporters and DENTISTS were right at the top of the list!!
Do you transcribe too? How much are you
required to transcribe per day/pay period? What are your responsibilities.
Sorry for all the questions, but I think one of the biggest problems in this industry is lack of consistency. If the positions were the same, we could compare apples to apples, in terms of hiring and applying :)
How many of you transcribe while
using your telephone line as in you're 'on the phone' the whole time you work? How does that work out for you both with your phone usage but also with unlimited LD. Could you recommend any unlimited LD plans that are good? Our local one isn't that great as far as a high price, so I'm looking around. Thanks for any help!
I transcribe ...
IMEs, Consults, Re-exams, Followups, Treatment notes,etc.
I am located in Texas, but I work directly for a doctor in Florida and then I transcribe for a small MTSO out of New York also doing chiropractic.
Why don't you just transcribe it?
Get creative - and type ... the patient...peeing, peeing, peeing, more peeing... is a 38-year-old
sorry i could not resist
transcribe from CD
Is there a way to transcribe a church audio lecture from CD? It is a .cda file. I have "associated" the .cda with Start/Stop and ExpressScribe, but I still have no control with my foot pedal. any suggestions?
Thanks, Debbie
This is how I do it. I transcribe
a minimum of 2000 lines per day x5 days a week for 8 hours a day, making 9 cpl which equals out to $180 per day. That comes out to $900 per week or $46,800 per year. That is just at 2000 lines per day. This is w/o shift differential and line differential added in. We get a bonus for going over a certain number of lines per pay period and we get a shift differential for working 2nd and 3rd shifts, which then works out to over 10 cpl. Transcribing 2000 lines per day works out to 250 lines per hour. W/o using an expander, I probably type about 100 words per minute and with my Expander it is a lot more. My pay stub shows how many lines per hour I average each paycheck. This week it was over 300 lph. I use my expander to its fullest. I have macros for everything and anything you can think of. I do radiology, oncology, and ER transcription - lots of phrases said over and over. I do not cherrypick. I cannot see what report or doctor I am going to get, the chart just pops up and I type it. Some days are all good docs, lots of days they are horrible but in this profession you take the good with the bad.
Everybody's work habit is different. Focus on what you can do instead of what person A or person B can do. When I first started I set goals for myself. I wanted to be typing 1000 lines by so and so date in 8 hours. When I reached that goal I made the goal higher by 100, 250 and then 500 lines. To me, it's all in the attitude you have for work. I look forward to work each day because every day there is something new to be learned.
This sits over my desk: Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden
Does anyone use Transcribe+
that you can use Dragon naturally with? Starting the new platform and just wondering? TIA
You know ... just transcribe (nm)
what you hear!
I transcribe
250 to 300 lines an hour, is it possible to edit voice rec up in the 600 lines per hour to make an equivocal line rate to transcribing?
I don’t even know if I could transcribe
without my expanders. I have basically typed so long using them it would really be hard.
Sorry, but our job is to transcribe
what is dictated. If you leave out a word, you did not transcribe what was dictated. Where I work, leaving out a word is considered a "major" error, but it is "discounted" if it does not change the meaning, however, it was left out, therefore transcription was not correct. Not sure what you mean when you talk about deleting paragraphs. Our job is to be as accurate as possible for patient safety, if nothing else. Audits are needed.
Well, at least we don't have to transcribe Elvish (yet?)
I don't think fat people should be able to transcribe either.
They have personality problems that may lead to selling info about famous people just to get more food. They also munch while they type and they are slower in getting the work out. I think there should be a weight test throughout the year to ensure MTs don't gain weight sitting at their computer.
MANDATED to transcribe?
By who? Harvey the rabbit?
Correct way to transcribe
Can someone please tell me the correct way to transcribe 10 to the fifth E. coli.
Thank you very much for your help.
Transcribe it and keep quiet. sm
We're professionals. We do our job and we keep any info learned to ourselves. I've even typed reports on family members. Never disclose any info you learn as a part of your job.
I transcribe anywhere from 25 to 40 per hour. sm
However, on one account which is mostly MRIs, CTs and ultrasounds, I only do 20-22 per hour. Expanders, expanders, expanders.
Every day I transcribe an op report on someone who is REALLY having a bad day, sm
and no prospects at having any kind of a happy life.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, especially when you're feeling down. And never lose faith as you're supposed to be learning something from this, and God really is looking after you.
I'm sorry things aren't going well. My very best advice,again, is for you to be positive--look at the ever-present bright side--COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, and never, ever lose faith.
I used to transcribe for a county (sm)
agency where they interview sexually abused children. I can't describe all the emotions that ran through me while listening to them try to bare their little souls to complete strangers.
The hospital I transcribe for uses it. I know
about Smartype. I HAVE Smartype, but I've never tried to use it with ExText.
I PRAY that you NEVER transcribe my
Your attitude is scary! You think we don't need knowledge or skills and are just "hamsters on a wheel?" Believe me, I QA work for people with your attitude and it shows. I pray to God that someone who thinks like YOU, never, ever touches my medical records!!!! Maybe you should look for a different career option.
Do you transcribe on Word with that?
Thank you!
To MTs who transcribe via tape- SM
I found great, low-cost software that allows you to convert tapes to digital files (MP3, WAV, WMA, etc.). Check out www.dak.com ! Your PC needs a sound card and a line-in connection (usually next to your line out to plug in your headset or speakers), as well as a tape player and an actual line that plugs from your PC line-in to your tape player. Think they call that line a male-to-male or male-to-female or something like that (got my line from www.martelelectronics.com). Use Dak to convert your music cassettes, too. Hope this helps!
P.S., I'm an MT, not from DAK
and you should buy Wavplayer to transcribe in. nm
x
I proof as I transcribe, unless (sm)
I have a blank or blanks. Then I listen to the whole report.
I transcribe for 2 GBS MDs.....it works...nm
Me again...heck, I transcribe
doctors once and may never hear again!! Every day is like a new day on the job. Just really sucks!! Just sayin' that even though you are seemingly having it tough where you are now, it could be a LOT worse. Whatever you do, for your own sake, do not quit where you are now to take a national job. There are so many variables that you can't even imagine with these places. It is more like slavery in your own home than a real job. Worked for one national where I averaged 150 lines an hour for 8 cpl, that's only 12 dollars an hour, before taxes! Who can live on that? Most of my time was spent on looking crap up, demographics and such! Had to buy own spell checker and abbreviation Expander and other crap, and it's just a big racket! Well, as I said before, just my humble opinion, but wish I was in your shoes! Good luck, but don't do anything with the job you have now....
I truly wish I was in your position than mine  (that's green with envy ;) lol
Just transcribe the reports, or go out into your sm
community and try to do something about healthcare for these people. I cannot stand these judgemental attitudes from people like you, who are making a living off of what you claim to despise.
Transcribe oncology now...sm
I transcribed ER notes at several other MT positions, in addition to most other basic 4 reports, and I usually had no trouble getting the required lines with ER work. I enjoyed it from a variety standpoint. You never know what you're going to get, just like Forrest Gump! I, too, am tired of the repetition of oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, etc., and it does seem to sometimes drone on with some physicians. However, it can be a good line count, too. I would think you would be able to adapt quickly to ER work if you are looking for a change. Hope this helps.
Does anyone who uses internet to transcribe,
It fades in and out. It is one or more radio stations. Im pretty sure not local though because they speak a different language sometimes. Dont laugh, sometimes it is so loud, I cant hear my dictator. The weird thing is that when I unplug my headphones and just have the speaker turned up, I cant heart it. It is also there through my headphones when I am not working. So, its either my DLS or my headphones. I do use the metal stethoscope type. Just wondered if anyone else has this or just lucky me? 
Hope you never have to transcribe for him
Dr. Garza and a brother, I believe, are two of the worst dictators in the known universe. Accent; whispers, runs entire sentences together in an incomprehensible mishmash, and is in a hurry. Ejole!
how do you transcribe with tinnitus?
due to the german measles. I've been transcribing for 15 years. Lately I have crinkle/pop sound in my good ear. I have thought about chronic use of my good ear and think I'll get an audiogram.
Do you not transcribe as spelled?
I thought that was the definition of verbatim account. What is a verbatim account definition, pls?
How long does it take you to transcribe...
a 60 minute tape? And this would be a well spoken english speaking doctor too. I am wondering if I am of the norm or not. It takes me about 5+ hours with some short breaks in between.
Sorry, I meant QA not transcribe
nm
I also transcribe with my keyboard in my lap and....sm
I think it is great for my shoulders, elbows and wrists. An ergonomic keyboard might be all you need to ease the pain in your fingers. I am still buying the old Microsoft Elite on ebay cheap $10-15, and I always have a spare.
I'd rather transcribe for ESL docs 8x out of 10
because they mispronounce the same thing consistently. Once you have it, you have it! IMHO and experience, some MTs don't do well with ESLs or accents in general everyday. If you grew up where I did - extremely diverse area - you would understand ESLs as well as American-born docs 
So, having issues with accents, make an effort to get to know people with accents every day, and it will pay off in MT! It has for me $$$$$
If you can hear, you can transcribe.
x
I have heard it is 2-3x to transcribe, so it
x
room where you transcribe
I am finding it difficult these past few days to focus. my computer is in my living room, off to a corner and I have a partitioner dividing my room as my living space downstairs is all open. I live by myself so I really have no distraction. I have a small dog who is really well behaved. My question is did anyone have any luck with moving their office to another room in trying to stay focus? I have my upstairs where one room is empty but at the time I moved in I thought Imight feel too secluded being up there but now I am wondering maybe that is what I need. Thanks. I am almost answering my own question as I am writing this!!
I transcribe about 30 of these a week sm
They are considered "routine" to some, but this is not exactly the case. Of what I personally see, about 30 to 40% of them have some type of complication. They range from posterior capsular collapse necessitating anterior chamber IOL placement and occasional retention of fragments of lens cortex, which are fairly minor to vitreous loss resulting in a vitrectomy and possible lens replacement at another surgery. Certain comorbidities predispose a number of patients to retinal detachment which can lead to loss of vision in part or in whole. Occasionally, due to certain difficulties with refraction, the wrong lens power is placed and must be removed and replaced at a later surgery.
Diabetes, hypertension, glaucoma, use of Flomax, and prior Lasik procedure all complicate cataract surgery and increase the risk of complications at the time of surgery and beyond. It is no secret that the older one is the more likely they are to have these problems.
Transcribe exactly what you hear.....
all the background shrieks, yells, and whatever, and have the office manager give the report to Dr XXX for correction and her signature
Actually BOS says NOT to transcribe curse
words as they do not belong in a medical report.
What I was wondering was if were okay if there were quotes.
As for the patient who used the language--remember I said it was an ER report. The patient was probably frustrated and possibly in pain.
Oh, yeah, I would definitely transcribe it of course
But I would wonder. Come to think of it I have also run across docs who dictated if a patient was hetero; it's been a long time ago, though, and I had all but forgotten.
Transcribe what the dictator says...
You should have transcribed exactly what the dictator says, he may have had a reason for putting that in the report. Perhaps there is a problem with this patient that he wants documented. If the client has a problem with it, they will let the dictator know. YOUR job is to transcribe what is dictated. Even though it is offensive, generally there is a reason they want it in the report. My husband is an ER doc and that is what he says.
I transcribe just what is dictated.
x
transcribe as dictated...(sm)
Transcribe as dictated: "Patent shotty veins." This is perfectly acceptable as is and does not require rewording.
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