I've had similar concerns
Posted By: Mag on 2005-07-09
In Reply to: I've encountered a strange situation and I don't know if I'm being paranoid or not. - StrangeThings
about blacklisting. After all, anybody can see how easy it would be to paint a dark picture of a company on this board so why wouldn't companies have a similar board somewhere to do the same with employees? I think the answer is because it would be considered blacklisting which would likely violate some employment laws and it would be too difficult to keep it a secret. But I could be wrong.
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I've been going thru similar situation for the last
3 years. Don't be too sure that the person does NOT want to be found. Nobody is that stupid, especially after this amount of time. My person ended up being a criminal - in and out of jail, and still lives in my township. Her car is still registered at my address with motor vehicle - police come by regularly for one reason or another as her kids are criminals as well. I still get all her mail, all her bills - now obviously in collections, etc. I have been to the Postmaster, filed formal complaints with the state head post office - Newark, NJ in my case, and even gone to the police for their help. I DO NOT WANT this person's mail. Same as you - I get nowhere. I either throw it out or leave it in box with a note on it. I also have "accidentally" opened up some mail and called the collectors to tell them wrong address. It is NOT against the law as long as it is accidental - believe me, I've checked with the PO and a lawyer and police - as long as I give no details about her. Just that this address is not valid. It may seem silly to other's reading, but it is a very frustrating situation to live with. I feel your pain!
I've had similar experience
Yes, I think I do know what you mean. Especially since I am familiar with the account, I know what the format is and where the same ASR mistakes are made and go through and fix them while playing the audio. It's like I can read, listen, look ahead and fix all at the same time.
It is faster than typing in general; however, to keep my hourly rate up I really have to stay at it and get in the "zone," without getting up much. After a while I feel kind of stressed out. I think I have traded one kind of tired for another.
I've heard similar about other brands of
xx
I've heard they are very similar (see inside)
I certainly don't think the difference is enough that your production would go down. If you had to switch to dial up, that would be different. I've never had cable, can't get it here, but I have no problems with DSL at all, and am thrilled to have it.
Don't understand why not. I thought I've seen other posts similar to this before. I'm not t
cause any problems, but as I work for DSG, so I'm naturally curious. As I said, I liked working with them both. Is it a secret?
I've always liked Doug, my husband looks similar; I don't recall whom I saw/liked first though
x
sometimes this concerns me as well
I talked with my account managers about the future of MT and does she really feel there is a shortage. On the 1 hand she said yes there is a lack of qualified MTs, but what she also did say is that those with experience have more job security, which makes sense.
For ideas, have you ever thought of possibly becoming a paralegal or perhaps a legal secretary? Also, what about maybe delving into possible general transcription? I did a bit of that myself and it was not too bad. At least some of the skills you have learned being a Transcriptionist can still be used. I always try to keep a mental list of 5 different "paths" I could pursue if things got bad, but luckily things have never gotten to that point.
Like I said in my heading, sometimes the future of MT concerns me, but the reality is there is no such thing as a stable job anymore. I also got into transcription during my college years, 2 year actually. I ended up completing my AA as well and went on to pursue a degree in IT with an emphasis in networking, but it really bored me to death. Your family should not look at you like you did not succeed. So many people that I know from friends and family all think it is so great that I get to work at home and do so well for myself.
concerns--sm
I tend to agree with the other poster below. Do not discuss things with your mother. You already know how she is going to react and it only serves to aggravate you. If you have genuine concerns about your aunt or any other family member's health, try to address it to the doctor directly. As far as your mother goes, it sounds to me like you are seeking her approval and acknowledgement for your accomplishments. Apparently you are not going to get that. I have a mother who is the same way and it angered me to the point where I confronted her a couple of times about it. It only caused alot of hurt and anger when I did that, so now I just turn the other cheek and try to ignore it. The only person you have to prove yourself to is you and the good Lord. Since He already knows your worth, you need to work on your own. Don't look to others to validate your worth. You don't need to. You are already special. :^) Have a good day, and think positive thoughts of yourself and your abilities.
Concerns/questions
As always, if you have concerns/questions/comments regarding DSG, I have an open door policy. Please feel free to contact me at kdenson@dsg-inc.net.
Thank you.
Offshore concerns
They are smart , and that is why the jobs are going to them! Jobs don't make people smarter; smart people do their jobs well. If you don't believe this then you must question the wisdom of the American MTSOs and companies that outsource. As I have said before, all Indian MTs are not bad and all US MTs are not good. I've seen excellent quality from India and poor quality from the US - that's the other side of the story which none of you wants to see, let alone admit.
This is why I call US MTs insular. If you will only look outside of your own town/state/country you will see how the world has changed and the so-called developing countries have advanced in many ways.
The problem with the US is it has been functioning too long in a cocoon, sheltered and protected. But with the coming of the global age, competiton has become fierce and jobs are moving overseas and it is now finding it difficult to cope in this new business climate.
You say "sadly" because it affects you but have you ever wondered how Indians like it when American companies dump poor quality goods on them and Indian businesses have to shut shop because they can't bear the competition? Of course most of you would not have heard that pesticides were found in bottles of a premier American brand of soft drink sold in India!
Instead of treating "offshoring" as some terrible phenomenon, it is high time US MTs learned to accept the situation because this is the New Age Economy where everything is decided in competition.
You are an IC -- state your concerns
You need to get some faith in yourself. If you are an IC and if you agreed on a certain rate of pay, they need to adhere to that. If you have a plumber come and work for you and you don't agree with his rate of pay, you cannot halfway through the job decide to pay him less. It is the same thing. I give an offer to my IC's and if they want to work for that they can but I cannot suddenly change halfway through without re-negotiating with them and they must agree to a lower rate, etc. So if you agreeed fine -- accept it but if they just did it, don't. It is hard around the holidays but is appears you are not making that much anyway so what do you have to lose especially if they took away half of your job. You need to read and see what an IC actually means and if they are calling the shots you are an employee and can raise a little bit of trouble for them. But talk to them as sometimes until you stand up to them, they will walk all over you.
Your concerns are valid, unfortunately : (
EMR and voice recognition has put me out of a job. On my former job, there was one other Transcriptionist besides me. Because she had been there longer, she got what was left over after most of the docs jumped on the voice recognition bandwagon. They use Dragon Naturally Speaking. I have seen it at work myself and it is quite accurate. There is no editing being done on their work. Now, I'm doing a job that is just that, a JOB. I enjoy transcribing and am looking for another job, but MT jobs seem to be few and far between where I am. I can't get high speed internet where I live, so most services are out. I may move onto a different career if something doesn't come around soon. I thought about legal transcription. Anyone have experience with that?
Outsourcing Concerns
Did any of you watch the special the other night on identity theft? I think it was maybe on Dateline. If so, you heard them say the identity theft ring reaches far beyond the shores of the US. It involves many of the countries that are receiving outsourced transcription work.
The first thought that came to mind when watching that was our medical records. I often have dictation that gives me a SSN and DOB. I also often have dictation on a new patient giving me other details, such as where the individual works, how many children they have, etc. I always get their height, weight and race. With these details, the individuals being outsourced to have everything they need to supply a terrorist or identity theft ring information to enable them to pose as someone else. This is very frightening to me!
What do we do? How do we wake America up to what we're facing? Sure, we can write our elected officials, but you all know as well as I do that such correspondence falls upon deaf ears. Does anyone have any suggestions on where we go from here? At this point, it isn't only about losing our jobs, its about national security.
What concerns me about newbies is
that often they write these excited posts and reveal how tiny their working English vocabulary is. That's a terrible place to start out from. I try to be polite, but I do remember being a newbie for hospital work and how appalled the trainer was with the other MTs who had tiny English vocabularies. She about dropped her teeth because the first time I had to spell shotty adenopathy I spelled it right. I couldn't believe anybody would think "shoddy adenopathy" would make any sense. It's not logical.
How do you train people to THINK and be logical in their transcription? Those are things the person should bring to the table if they want to go into a career in the written word. Then you can build on that logic as you interpret MD slurring.
Faxing and HIPAA concerns
I need to know the regulations imposed by HIPAA for MTSOs faxing medical reports to referring doctors. Thanks.
Of course they do. That was one of the concerns about Medquist. Info from the VA
was going offshore. The info included the location of the soldier's troop when he was wounded in combat and more.
Offshore concerns blog
I mentioned this a few messages below, but the blog has its first post. I am NOT supporting any Ad things on there and will not be making anything off this.
http://violatingamerica.blogspot.com/
If you have a link that would be useful to others to write their gov't reps, companies, news sources, etc, feel free to post them or e-mail me so i can get them up there. I am also looking for any news stories or any information we can get. One way or the other, we might be able to make a difference.
Know is old post - but valid concerns
I don't kow what they could do to help you RE: Katrina but companies need to verify the NEED to cut back or do it across the board, at least in the department / job level. I worked for this company for 6 yr & had several cuts in my take home. The platforms used became slower & slower because of the amazing amt of data in the programs. I had 3 gig memory & STILL took forever & you aren't making a dime for that several minute while a report is sending & the next coming in & then doing the demographic page.
I've been trying to find out if there was anything of that investigation - I never did get that paper that so many other employees got. And I had a definite beef.
Please use Offshore Concerns board for those topics. (NM)
Goldbird
be sure to mention HIPAA concerns with offshore...nm
..
Anything an MT can do when you have grave concerns about patient care?
Is there anything at all an MT can do when you have grave concerns about the care a patient is receiving? I know the answer to this is probably no, but I am so completely frustrated with my one of "my" doctors right now. I know that one of his patients is not receiving the proper care, and I am really worried for this patient. I wish I could contact the patient's mother and let her know my concerns, but I know that is not allowed and I would be fired for doing so. I know that I'm not anywhere near as smart as a doctor, but my son has the same condition that this patient does and I know that the patient is not receiving the proper care or even the correct diagnosis. It is hard to go into all of the details for confidentiality reasons. I just know, 100% sure, that this patient deserves better care than he is receiving.
Sometimes the virtual world that we work in is great, and other times it really stinks. If I were working in the doctor's office I could gently share my concerns (maybe I would still be fired but I could give it a shot). Here in this virtual world where the doctors don't even know I exist I can do absolutely nothing.
I'm just so frustrated at the doctor and so very worried for this patient.
Interesting info on Offshore Concerns board
OSI offshores and that is why they can't keep quality MTs
In Reply to: Today, I landed a client that was using and Indian service. They said the service - Kansas MTSO sm
The MTs they do keep are basically no more accurate than the Indians. The QA department is a joke because they hire people fresh out of MT school. It is a sad company and is destined to fail if they don't start thinking more about quality than keeping the brownnosers happy. This could be true for other companies that offshore as well.
D I T T O D I T T O
Taking 2 polls on offshore concerns board
Please participate!
Thank you!
d~
Take your medical degree into the office and voice your concerns.
How do you know the patient isn't getting the proper care? No two patients are alike, just because your child has the same condition doesn't mean anything. This parent probably has googled her child's condition and is working along with the doctor. As an MT, you should not talk about any patient even with the other people in the office. It is confidential information and very unprofessional.
Comedy Stop & Offshore Concerns were the last 2 boards to be changed over to the new format.
Archives will be available soon.
I use EXText with my current job and I've used at a couple of other jobs I've had. I've ne
used DocQscribe, but I have used Meditech, Cerner, Vianeta, the Precyse platform (I can't remember the name), Dolbey, and Lanier platform I think was called Cequence (?).
Out of all the different platforms I have typed on, I have liked EXText the best. In my opinion, it's very user friendly, easy to learn, and I really like ESP which is the built in abbreviation expander. Plus it is very easy to create your own normals which I love. My fingers literally never leave the keyboard because there are macro keys for everything. You can use your mouse if you prefer or learn the function macros. I love it. I think I'm more productive on EXText than with any other platform.
Please post offshore topics on Offshore Concerns board. (NM)
Thank you.
Goldbird
This thread belongs on Offshore Concerns; thread locked. (NM)
Goldbird
LOL I did something similar.
I used a desktop timeclock and stopped it every time I got interrupted or distracted. I'm very productive when I get up first thing in the morning and type before everyone else gets up. I've also learned to shut the computer down completely when I'm done working for the day and go do something else entirely. Unfortunately, I've been sitting here waiting for work for three days now.
Does anyone know of something similar
I cannot get my foot pedal to work with this program.
I think the 2 are actually very similar -sm-
...at least that is what I've heard. I, too, use WP. It looks like most nationals and online companies use Word. My current supervisor mentioned to me recently that the two platforms were very much alike - maybe try setting the tabs to specific points just like we do now in WP and see if that works? At least until someone who does work with Word posts... lol
Wish I could be more help.
Another one similar
Used to work at a hospital where you had to manually input the patient's names. The doctor said the name, it was extremely foreign and sounded like it had about 20 syllables and then without missing a beat he said "and it's spelled just like it sounds." I groaned out loud and then the doc said laughed and said "oh, just kidding you know!" and he then spelled it very clearly. It made me feel like this doctor actually realized there was a human on the other end of the line.....better than the doctor at the same hospital that used to dictate while shaving his beard with an electric razor!! Using the urinal while dictating or flushing is my other favorite.
Yes, it is similar sm
IT has your ST converted expansions on the left (if you set it that way) and what would be the list you see at the bottom of your ST in Word on the right. Unlike ST, the line does not travel, however.
If you have both programs and want to learn more about IT, feel free to contact me. I have about enough mastery to help convert an ST glossary to IT and I have set my IT about as close to ST as I can. I have not had the time to completely figure out the "singles" glossary needed to run concurrently so I can use single letter shortcuts, but I have been told how to do this.
If you are an ST user no other program will ever be quite as fast for you, but IT is the closest I have found. I am not that much slower and I have been playing with IT for a whole week...
I would tell you not to worry too much about converting over truly. I am adding lots more expansions that are similar to the singles and/or the just start typing see it in the line and use it stuff. I use 2 x 3, 3 x 2, 2 x 2 and 1 + 1 + 1 codes with extra tags for s, ing, ed, ly ending etc. The good news is that with 26 letters in the alphabet and an astronomical number of possible combinations, I don't think it likely I will run out of possibilities. Also, ST limits the length of your expansions, IT does not. Given that you can add full strings of text, full sentences, etc. the speed has the potential to come up dramatically. I would not use IT to make and use normals, I prefer to create Word or WordPerfect documents, I know you could use it for this purpose too.
As I have said, it is really all about the glossary. However, I'd prefer the way ST operates.
Oh so similar! sm
Different kind of work but the similarities are striking. When I did speak up, I was basically told I should think about taking a hike. In my case, something wonderful has come along that is taking me in a different direction. I will continue to do this work either full or part time in addition to that but with an employer that I know and trust.
I don't know the answer except find a good, fair boss/company or pray for something to come into your life to change things up. It is very sad for the good ones of us. I guess you could job hop and be the newbie all the time and get the good work.  Just kidding (sort of).
I just went through something similar- sm
the lady doing an old account of mine just disappeared one day, so I got to clean up the mess she left, just finished it up last night finally, had about 200 minute to wade through on top of my usual work. I compared voice files to the work she had turned in to figure out what dates she had done what work. They should have provided you with her last couple of weeks of work so you could have avoided the duplication. Hard to say what to do, I would not be happy about eating it but it is probably the thing to do, but make it clear to them that if they give you any more work in the future that ends up being duplicates that you will have to charge them. If they want to avoid that they should provide her previous month's work to you so you can check it to make sure there are no duplicates.
I have done something similar
I had read that when trying to concentrate on a task/project, that you can get more done with 90 minutes of undisturbed effort and a short break.
It always takes me a good 15 minutes to get into my zone where I am at my fastest. If I keep interrupting myself then I never get there and the line count suffers.
To the posters who can't do the 410 (neither can I!), still over time the rate will get faster and faster.
Thanks for posting this simple but effective idea to edge up our $-per-hour just a little bit. It all helps!
Saw something similar last week (sm)
but it was a dog in one of those umbrella strollers. Seemed quite content actually. I gathered from the graying muzzle that walking probably would have worn her out before they got around the corner.
I am in a similar situation.
I, along with several other employees, have filed a claim in magistrate court. The company, which was a corporation, has now closed its offices, and are denying that they owe us our last paycheck. We are going to court to fight it, but I am not sure what we will be able to do. The labor board told us that since it was a corporation, and since it is now closed, that they cannot help us.
ROFL! I tried something similar.
I told my boys that they'd have to hug each other, apologize and tell each other three nice things if they were mean to each other. They're such twerps that it didn't work. They'd bearhug each other as hard as they could, sneer sorry, and say something like, "Your breath no longer smells like a camel's backside." I give up.
Similar experience
Yes, I just had a similar experience like that. Funny thing, I thought the recruiter should have been a little nicer to me, unless he figured out quickly that he didn't need me. Had to sit and listen to him on his soap box for 15 minutes.
Another similar experience
I talked to a gal (not actually a recruiter, but one who runs a MT placement service) who had the same condescending attitude. She talked incessantly about her outstanding credentials, incredible experience and MT ability. I realized 2 minutes into the conversation that I did not want to do business with her. Then I pointed out she had misspelled some words on her website. I never heard from her again. LOL
I had a similar circumstance.
After my knee replacement I developed an infected seroma. The wound had been draining for several weeks and then one night I spiked a temp of 103 and had severe chills. I ended up in the hospital and had to had the wound incised and drained (7 weeks after my knee replacement). I was in the hospital for five days on IV antibiotics. I my case, if I hadn't had the IV antibiotics and I&D I would probably have had to undergo a repeat knee replacement.
I would say that any infection is serious and I would advise that you do what your doctor tells you. Take your antibiotics for the full 7 or 10 days as prescribed and if you develop fever or chills, call the doctor right away. It's nothing to take lightly.
Best wishes. 
Similar questions
From my experience testing, many are already similar or the same questions.
I use Shorthand. It is similar to PRD
and can be set up to suit your needs. There is no limit to number of entries that can be made. You can enter several pages or just a single word. You can use the option to have a prompt or not. You can set it so you have to use an Expander key or just use the normal punctuation or space bar for entry. You can make a selection menu if you like.
However, I have found that for long reports (normals that you need to have entered if not in the typing platform) it is best to store them into a separate file and set a code for the expander to import a document into what you are using (also easily done in shorthand.) I probably save over 60% of my Keystrokes with this program.
I took Relora, very similar sm
I had consulted a naturopath, who tested my cortisol and found it was too high. I took Relora and various vitamins to get my adrenals back on track. I also gave up caffeine and refined sugar/"white" carbs, which fixed up my system. Without the caffeine and sugar, and with the supplements (including Relora), I ended up losing 40 lb and keeping it off.
:) I would still be taking it, but I felt so good and ended up getting pregnant :)
I had a similar situation at one job.
I was hired with a college degree to do customer service. They hired a guy without a degree to be a representative. I gave my notice because he was sexually harassing me, and they were only paying me $1,300 a month to raise my family of four on with no child support, welfare or social security. They gave me a nice raise of $500 a month plus bonuses, but they promoted him to be manager of another store. Shortly after I finally quit them, he got fired big time and they had to hush-hush everything. He was harassing other female employees, had his drug dealer show up at the store demanding money, and even got his wages garnished for child support on his girlfriend even though he was married to someone else. But hey, ethical and qualified women weren't even given a chance at the job. I've always wondered why I could never get ahead in the business world. I don't know if it's my gender or because I'm too nice and do the right thing.
I just went through a similar experience.
I have 15 yrs experience and have been away from doing MT work about a year and a half. I applied at several companies. I, too, failed the first test I took. 
Turns out that the new AAMT BOS rule which I wasn't aware of is that on numbers 1 thru 9 in a sentence, you have to use the digit and not spell out the word, i.e., 5 instead of five. Once I clued into this I passed several other tests and am now back to work. I'm sure you just as skilled as you ever were!! Don't lose your self confidence. I agree that the best thing to do is brush up on AAMT BOS. Good luck!! 
Similar problem...but different...
park about 10 cars on the street and in their drive and yard (and have driven through MY yard sometimes to get out)..then proceed to sit on the hoods and party. My neighborhood went from a relatively quite, older neighborhood... to (forgive the expression)... just the hood...I'm devastated because I can't afford to move. I now have to accept loud, noisy, obnoxious neighbors (have 2 quiet neighbors left)... and the loud bumping music, the tons of dogs in their backyards... and the cars in and out all night .. you know, the ones that only stay 5-10 minutes and never turn off the motor. Other than stay on the phone with the police, I'm not sure what else I can do.. no help to approach them, only makes them worse
I did something similar about 7 years ago
I live in the Philadelphia area and charged 12 cents a line. I also had a few private clients and that is what I charged. I think the average is 12-14 cents these days for the standard 65 character line. Make sure you get it in writing. Also, if you are going to bill them and not be on payroll, be aware that hospitals somethings are not too great with paying on time, maybe 30 to 60 days. Make sure to bill in small increments weekly or biweekly so that if they ever default you can take them to small claims court. If they owe you too much money, you would not qualify for small claims court. I am not trying to be negative. I just wanted to give you some info that I have learned over the years. I also added in my contract 30 days notice of termination of the contract, how much I would charge, mininum amout of work expected, how I calcaluated a line, when payment was due, etc. I hope this helps.
i had a similar problem and when
the police couldn't help out i finally called immigration. within a day or so the house was back to empty (it was a rental). about a month or so later another group moved in and the first night the neighbor on the other side called immigration (he didn't even bother with the police this time) and again the house was empty. the owner of the house gave up trying to use the property as a rental and sold the house so now our street is back to peace and quiet. it's amazing how all of a sudden they speak perfect english when you mention 'deport', 'green card' or 'immigration'. personally, i could care less who you are or where you come from but if you cross the line and won't try to come to an agreement then i fight dirty!!! they can party and do whatever they want but they don't have to disrupt the entire street (or neighborhood) while doing it.
In a VERY similar situation...
I am actually going apartment hunting soon and telling my husband I am leaving. I am going to tell him we can do counseling, but that is up to him. Right now, I cannot live with him, whether we work it out or not. I really don't think we will be able to work it out because in my heart I really don't love him, I care about him, but don't love him.
We have a 3-year-old daughter and she is the highlight of both our days. I am not truly concerned about this affecting her because he will be very close by and will be able to take her whenever he wants. I know he will be good about that.
I cannot tell you to go one way or another, but with my situation, I am truly unhappy and have been for quite some time. The issues we have today are issues we had when we married. They aren't getting resolved and are not going to go away. I am 29 and have my whole life ahead of me. I'd rather spend that time with somebody who will respect me, listen to me, and make me feel safe and secure. Whenever I am upset and could use a hug, my husband looks at me like a dog. At least a dog will lick my face to make me feel better.
Give yourself a period of time to see how things go. If they are not better by then, you need to move on for you and your child.
I wish you well. You deserve better.
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