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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

My ER docs do it alot

Posted By: ugh on 2005-07-01
In Reply to: Doctors documenting hours worked - eyetype

I guess it gives them the right to charge PREMIUM prices,  although I


think ER prices are quite pricey enough.  My friends trip through the ER


the other night was a cool $10,000 and all she got was an aspirin.  (she thought


she was having a heart attack and it was GERD.  But to rule it out they gave her


the works; CT scan, CXR, blood work, cardiac enzymes......and on top of that came the doctors (including the cardiologist, oh my) bill.


 


 




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seems like that happens alot
wow, thats awful, and they didnt even tell the employees? I dont understand why companies lately are so dishonest. Do they not know that if not for us, they would not MAKE any money, since most (not all, but most) of managment and company owners are not MT's and would not know the first thing about being one, at least I have found that to be true so far. We are either replaced by off-shore or Voice Rec...how sad!
Love this one...thanks alot!!! nm
nm
but you have to be careful. There are alot of sm
them out there and some will charge you a percentage. If you go to the counseling service that is run by the United Way or something, that is reputable. In my town it is just called Consumer Credit Counseling, but it is a United Way Agency. They don't charge you anything except maybe a 5 or 10 dollar a month fee for "postage and handling" and I don't think you are required to do that.

I have heard folks say it will ruin their credit, but it has been my experience that after you get that far, your credit is pretty much damaged anyway. I had a good experience with them.
Alot of BS probably from disgruntled ex
Perhaps you did not read all the posts, yes I did get alot of negative comments and thank you, but I don't need you to tell me to let it rest.  This is a free county, I have freedom of speech and will let it rest when I feel its proper or are you the board medidator? Go ahead its your serve, what witty comment are you going to come back with now, tell me to get a life? That seems to be one of the most popular comebacks.
Alot of companies keep you in QA because

when you're released you start making more money.  You probably are doing a good job and would be out of QA with many other companies.  I don't remember a patient losing their life because an MT put a comma in the wrong place!  It's ridiculous and keeps you from making better money.  On the same note, if you get released from QA then you start getting HORRIFIC dictators that keep you from going above and beyond your required line count so you reach an incentive pay.  It's a no win situation.  Glad I'm weaning out of being an MT and only doing it part time and also work elsewhere!  Tired of the B.S.     


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


This job has changed alot
Hi, new here.

 

I've been an MT since 1997, and there have been ALOT of changes.  I went to school for MT and after graduating, I got a job at a company that let me work at home.  It was sheer bliss. I could be home with my young children, and made a pretty lucrative amount of money, but reasonably for my clients.

 

Now, after being away from it for only four years, that seems to have all changed.  Outsourcing, voice-recognition, big companies, it's sad to me.  Even working full-time, turning over a pretty decent daily line count, I can't make enough to support myself and my kids.  Oh, that is, if I could get a job. 

 

 

I use Spellex AccuCount and like it alot. nm
nm
I think alot of people are jumping to --sm
conclusions here about the whole situation, including yourself. You do not know that just because she gave your husband's friend a ride home, that anything happened between them. Since she already had his friends cell number, perhaps he simply left something in her car and she wanted to return it. It could be totally innocent on everybodies parts. She may not even be aware he is married. But any way, that all is between your husband's friend and her. Since your husband told you about it in the first place, I think there is nothing to worry about in that respect. However, your over reaction to it will probably change things between you and him, and calm open communication is the only thing that may change that back. You already crossed the line with a jealous outburst, and perhaps will never be able to cross back. He will always see you in a different light now, and that you possibly do not trust him, and he will be very careful about what he tells you in the future. I have learned through experience that jealousy, anger, and mistrust are the quickest ways to drive your husband to find someone else. Secondly, if there IS an affair going on between the friend and this woman...it is none of your business. Don't confront the friend..don't confront the other woman...and definitely do not call the wife to tell her. If there is an affair going on, she will find out on her own, but if you stick your nose in, and they patch things up between them, you will have lost a friend for yourself, and your husband. Stay out of it. I definitely think you need to sit down with your husband and calmly talk about this. Tell him that you are sorry for over reacting and that you DO trust him. That is the most important. Never bring up the phone call again. Never ask for the number. He probably feels that you will interfere in something that is not your concern and that is why he does not want you to have it...not because something is going on. He thinks you will embarrass him. that is all. Don't start making waves when you are the one who would end up losing in the long run. Trust me...I know. I was jealous and suspicious of my ex husband and all of his female friends. I reacted to every situation with jealousy and anger, and tried to FORCE him to stay with me. If they want to go, you can't stop them from going. I ended up losing him because I drove him away with mistrust and jealousy. He is married to her now, and I hope they are very happy together. I am not angry and I am not bitter. I did it to myself and I take full responsibility for that. I just do not want to see it happen to anyone else, because it can be avoided simply by how you approach things. Take care and good luck to you.
That depends on alot of things...sm
like where you live. Is it hot and dusty? Do you drive alot of miles? etc. I like to have mine changed every time I have my oil changed. That way I do not have to worry about it. Just my opinion.
My take on that is that alot of it is pure FANTASY.
Just to make my minimum lines, I'm working 10-11 hours days, plus at least part of Sat., and am making about $23,000/year. And I'm not a newbie, either - been at it for over 30 years.
I just switched to nights and found I like it alot.
I get a nicer variety of reports so I don't get bored. I keep the tv on behind me but don't watch it. No interruptions, no phone, no kids or hubby, although my kids are all out of high school. They still tend to interrupt. The dogs are sleeping so I don't have to let them out. I do open a window for some of that gorgeous night air. I only need about 6-7 hours of sleep, so I hit the hay when I am done and sleep for around 4 hours, get up and do a few things, then conk out again for 2-3 hours later. It seems to be working out.
I like Laura Bush, She has alot of class.

If we want to get personal about the husband situation, then I mean come on, who can forget all of Bill Clintion's antics??  Ole' Hillary stayed w' him just to further her career.  To me personally, When I look at the current Bushs I can see they they like each other, even DARE I DAY IT< LOVE each other.  With the Clinton's all you got was cold air from Hillary, but then again who can blame her?  But she is the one who stayed......so I don't feel bad for her at all.


THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS!!!!!!  Everyone have a wonderful day!!!!


There is alot of fine print to read
in order to receive the bonus.  Many MTs don't stay long enough because these companies are usually deceiving.  Think about it, if it were so easy to get $500, $1000, etc. everyone would be jumping at the chance.  Don't bother, it's a smoke screen
P.S. - I'm alot stronger cardio-wise also
NM
I'd be alot more interested in working weekends, -
overtime, holidays, etc. if what I got in exchange for that actually made any difference. Unfortunately it does not.
Also, don't you think alot of the 'big bux' people say they're
I could get on these boards and tell folks I'm clearing $150K a year after taxes, own 3 homes, and a 70-foot yacht, and who's gonna come check to see if I'm feeding them a line? So that's what I think alot of that '$50-grand a year' is... just a lot of wishful thinking.
Except most secretarian jobs make alot more

Thanks for your replies. I like my account alot but I don't like the pay so that stinks!!
nm
That's alot more polite than grabbing the clock and
ROFL !!!! ;D
Call DELL; they will personalize for alot less money

ESL Docs

That is SO true!!!!  There is definitely a problem with dictating the appropriate gender when it comes to ESL docs. They tend to go back and forth umpteen times during one dictation, so you really have to pay attention.  Verb tense can also get very confusing.


I agree that sometimes slowing down and concentrating can actually increase productivity. Even though I feel like I'm transcribing like a tortoise, I'm really getting more done than I think when I slow down and allow myself to think.


Just hang in there with QA. They are just doing their job and you need to take a good look at what they are telling you and concentrate on that issue. It's really hard not to take it personally, that's for sure, but it's gonna make you a better Transcriptionist in the long run. On the other hand, if you feel they are truly wrong about an important issue, then challenge them!!  But you'd better have major references to back up your challenge.


Ellen S.


 


 


ESL docs
are you on VR yet? you can choose to have a 20% cut on your baseline rate and get the "better" dictators ?? or you can choose to keep your MT 100% baseline rate and probably get all of the ESL docs -- what a choice - not fair, huh??
This is almost as bad as the docs
I got three of them yesterday...three different docs. I think this is soooo rude! I'm almost to the point where I'm going to refuse to attempt to do them. Surprisingly, it's always a female doc who is dictating either a GYN or breast cancer related report.

I can picture a couple of these ladies hopping on a Harley Davidson riding home from work.
I think they should ask all ER docs

if they even know the English language to begin with, 'cause if they do, they don't practice it.


I know everyone knows that a lot of docs don't

read the reports after we have transcribed them, but I just had a doc on my account dictate that he wanted the line "Dictated but not read" added to ALL of his reports from now on.  He was mad because he said he requested this to be done a few weeks ago and has been "keeping track" and it hasn't been getting done.


Amazing.


All of my PAs were better than the docs before

I switched companies and along with my new account came all new PAs (and might I add, quite a few of them) who all make me miserable. They botch the dictations beyond belief and I am left to fix the sentences which look like riddles and are actually confusing after they get done with it.


Change thoughts in the middle of a sentence...start talking and forget where they left off so I am sitting there for another 2 minutes waiting through the ummms and ahhhs and the start of sentences "the patient umm.... ahhh" and I'm waiting for them to say something and they just hang up.


Mine are good for this too... they will dictate an incomplete report and then a few dictations after they will start finishing incomplete dictations, adding in something they forgot to say, or they will say CC a copy to: Dr. ____  on a 4 second report and not say whose report it goes on. This would be easy to figure out if they didnt have 40 dictations and at least 5 hang-ups with about 8 of those 40 dictations being something they want added on to some nameless patient's report.


Had I not switched jobs, I would have had a hard time believing any PA was hard to transcribe...just because I had a good bit of them on my other account and they were all PERFECT speakers.


Now when I see that I have to transcribe a PA-- 


 



ESL docs
Hey there,
Hang with it a little while longer. You'll probably find that it gets easier. Those ESL doctors do say the same thing over and over again and it takes practice to get it. Try listening a few seconds longer than the phrase you aren't getting because sometimes that helps. I agree that samples help an awful lot so be sure to request as many as you can. Good luck! You can do it!
I would always rather have my ESL docs over the sm
English as first language docs, who speed talk, slur words, and don't seem to care about the patients.  I am usually very impressed with the patient care given, and the understanding of the human issues, by the ESL docs.  I think the problem with the original poster is she needs to learn to transcribe these docs, with all the suggestions, especially getting samples, mentioned above.  She doesn't really seem that concerned with patient care, but her inability to transcribe difficult dictators.  It is, quite simply, the nature of the business.  The easy docs go on voice recognition, and the transcriptionists transcribe the difficult dictators.
I tell ALL my docs that I'm an MT...
...and I transcribe and read my own reports (I work for a large healthcare co).  Hubby signed a HIPAA form for me to transcribe and read his reports, too.   Now the docs are more careful 
how many docs know?

When I mention to physicians that if they send their work out it might be sent overseas they are appalled!  Sometimes they say things like, "So that's why there were so many mistakes."  Companies don't always tell them where the work is being done or by whom. 


I still fault them for trying to save money at our expense, but in a certain sense some of them are being taken advantage of as well.  Perhaps our "enemies" could turn out to be our best allies should a good case make it to Court TV. 


We need to educate the physicians as well as the public. 


docs
Or I like when they make up their own spelling of words, especially meds.
docs
sorry made a mistake above...I meant the docs take me to the bathroom with them LOL!!!
docs
Let's face it ladies and gents - doctors have absolutely NO respect for what we do for them so they can make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$....
of course, I know 'bout as much as the docs do...sm

yeah, and that's why I'm here typing and they're out on their yacht somewhere, right?    But I do try to diagnose, even did this when I worked for a doc in the back office.  And sometimes I was actually right!


Cheap docs

They absolutely don't care about quality or any of that jazz, which is why I have always wondered why we as an industry keep beating each other up over issues that doctors couldn't care less about. Not that I think we should all just transcribe any old way we want, but it seems like we act like the slaves out in the mud pit slapping each other around about how much or how little straw to use for the bricks while the slavedriver sits on the side line with the whip completely content with end product either way.


I suppose the answer most would give is that we should take pride in the quality of our work whether they (the doctors) do or not, but I can't get passed the notion that these are the same individuals that the powers that be seem so intent on pleasing and are also the same individuals who would see us all in the soup lines tomorrow looking for the next homeless shelter to sleep in if they had their way. They (the medical profession) will not think twice about putting all transcriptionists out of business at their first opportunity, and yet we as an industry continue to bow to their ridiculous and uninformed demands concerning how to do what we do or their complaints about how much we charge or that we shouldn't charge for line count generated by short forms or macros, etc. They have no clue how many times their butts get saved by transcriptionists on a daily basis.


I've never met a transcriptionist who wouldn't readily agree with the notion that we are part of the health care team, and yet many of us continue to act like we still work for the doctors instead of the patient. Oh well, go figure.


Just venting as well.


also, most docs won't do certain tests (sm)

without your consent, if they are not considered standard and will probably have to be paid for by the patient out of pocket, unless the patient agrees to pay either up front or if the charge is denied.  At least that's been my experience! Good luck, I hate insurance companies, too!


Isn't she cute? 


Do your docs talk 2U?

I have one doctor who, when she wants to correct something or other always says "This is an aside to the typist." ARGH. I feel like I'm in a Shakespeare play or something - don't those have a lot of "asides"? I always want to scream at her "Don't you know I'm not a TYPIST?? I'M A MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST, DAMN IT!!!!" Of course she's 80 or something so I shall forever be "the typist" to her.


I have a resident who always says "For transcriptionist, would you...." to get my attention - but when he was new I thought he was saying "Poor transcriptionist..." I always nodded my head in sad agreement until I realized what he was actually saying....


And then there's the doc who loves to complain about his job to me, sometimes in great detail - "Here I sit, waiting for some x-rays to come in so I can make a buck" and "I cannot believe this hospital."


They crack me up!


docs talk to me
I always get one who says, "uh, secretary, please correct..." and then I have one who always says "oh, operator, could you kindly...." Does he think that because he dictates into a phone it's a telephone operator on the other end or what?
Docs don't have those guidelines because... sm
they realize how stupid they sound and look.  They learn the language of medicine and stick with it.  They don't bow to some silly-*ssed organization's whims. 
Hoo yah. I hear ya. Then you have the docs that. . .

think for some reason you know exactly what they are going to dictate for ROS so they just basically babble right through it and take a big deep breath at the end.


Or the one like I had today that sounded completely wasted off his butt and even with the speed up or down it still sounded like a drunken drawl. It was ridiculous. It was also dicatated later on Thanksgiving night, so who knows? Maybe doc had a few too many rounds of Thanksgiving cheer and then thought, "Ow thith, I thstill gottsa do my dictatheen."


Report them to your supervisor. It's worked for me in a few cases. It's up to them to pass the word along that the dictator needs to slow down.


I had one guy that I do locally on tapes that suddenly decided that he was going to take his machine and dictate on his way home in the car.  I don't think so pal. I called my local boss and said I wasn't going to do it. His tapes have been clear as a bell ever since because he's doing them in the office again.



that won't do nothing but give you a bad name and p*** off the docs...sm
that is definitely NOT the professional way to handle this. Give a little bit more time to get the check, ask for more details (in a neutral tone of voice) about when the check was sent, the number of the check, etc. Document the answers. Then consider filing a claim in small claims court. Sometimes it's a scam but sometimes it's a cash flow problem.
Chiropractors and other alt med docs?
Does anyone know of a good site for this? I usually use WebMD or AMA but chiros and the sort are not listed, and I can't find a good resource for them.
contacting the docs re. this sm
What she did does seem cruel to you and perhaps she is cruel, but those accounts are absolutely hers to deal with and I think it is wrong for the subcontractor to contact the contractor's clients, totally wrong. I do feel for you. As an IC and MTSO, I have been "kicked to the curb" for cheaper price undercuts by "so-called" friends, etc. You must let it go and move on, perhaps contact your local church if you need help with food, utilities, etc. I do feel very badly for you, but I think to contact her clients would be "tacky" and make you look bad. Perhaps one day you will own your own accounts and see what I'm saying is true. Good luck to you, I am sure you are very hurt, I have been there as well. Not much you can do but log it into your "experience" book. Stay well, things will get better. Sometimes change forces progress, I hope so for your sake. With all my best wishes to you.
Hopefully docs will realize
that their time is better spent seeing more patients than doing data entry..glad that your docs realized this. I had one lone hold-out who refuses to do the clerical entry... but doesn't dictate either... still writes ShortHand notes in charts....Ugh!
Lots of ESL docs
Have worked for prison system in Tx. They hire lots of ESL docs but work is not hard as they outsource serious cases to general hospitals. As regards pre-employment testing all I did was a typing test and gave my references.
Ask the docs what they are paying now and go from there. nm
x
foreign docs
And why do a lot of those same ones who speak such poor English also make no sense in putting together their sentences?  I have several that sound like they are clenching their teeth together and straining to get the words out which makes it even worse.  I know exactly what you mean.  Their oughta be a LAW! 
inconsiderate docs
I had one doc who gave me a bad checs. So, I found another account to make up for his lack of funds, but I picked up his work as usual. I did the last two tapes he gave me, but I didn't give him the work and I returned blank disks to him. His OM hated him, so she called me when she had a deposit and I met her at the bank with the checks and a bill for the new work. She gave me a new check, we took care of business, I got my all my money, and he got his work. I then notified him that I would not do his work for him any longer since he tried to stiff me for several hundred $. Boy was he mad. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Wow, there are some rude docs out there!

I guess I am very lucky to have such appreciative doctors.  They tell me thank you for the wonderful work about everytime I see them.  I dont get a Christmas gift from everyone of them, but out of my 7, I usually get 3/4.


Sorry you all have to deal with such unappreciative and lousy dictators


Rude docs
Judy, I have 6 docs like that.  First of all, I insisted on a sample for each of them.  That helped a little.  When blanks were happening in a place I knew I would be getting over and over, I would email or call to force them to find out what he was saying and let me know for the next time.  Believe or not, every day gets a little easier.  I've had them for almost 9 years now and get 99% of what they say.  It's rude and disrespectful, but just depends on how badly you need the account.  You will get it eventually.  Every new dictator is tough at first. 
fast docs
Why don't you get with the office manager and get copies of their standards and then all they have to do is say "use my usual or make changes". Mine were too happy to do this because they HATE dictating as much as we hate hearing them like that. And, I still got my line pain in spite of using normals.