Reference Books versus software

• Reference Books versus software - Siren
  • I seldom use the reference books... - Cindy M
  • Siren, I find googling key words fastest and most helpful. SM - MsIndigo
  • I like my books the best. - MslaMT
  • I prefer the CDs but use the books... - -Libby
  • Both - Renee
    • Thank you - Siren
  • I prefer software as opposed to looking it up in reference books... - blondie

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I use my pharmaceutical word book most often, then Stedman GI/GU & Stedman Equipment.  I have a used 2004 Pharmaceutical word book (Drake & Drake) if you would like it.

I am going to buy some reference books to have.  Can you all help me in getting the ones I need.  I will doing a variety of reports...cardiology, radiology, emergency departments ect....

I appreciate it!!!!  :)

I just wonder because I am so sick of correcting reports where the MT has obviously just guessed at what is being dictated or what she heard rather than taking a minute to crack open a freaking book or at the very least Google it.

QA is a resource not a freaking safety net for MTs who can't or won't do the job they were hired for.  Part of the job description for medical transcription is to be both productive AND accurate!  Nowhere does it say, if you don't know, just guess or if you don't know, just leave a blank -- don't look it up or use the internet -- just leave a blank. 

While I'm at it, let me just say to all the MTs out there who have being "doing this for years" and don't think they could ever possibly make a mistake -- YOU ARE WRONG!  To the MTs who use "that's how we were told to do it at my last job" as your battle cry -- THAT IS WHY WE HAVE A STANDARDIZED REFERENCE BOOK CALLED THE AAMT BOS!

I don't care how you did it at your last job.  I don't care if that is what you thought you heard.  I don't care if your spell check didn't catch it.  And I don't care how long you've been an MT.  You should have known how to spell it, you should own a reference book, you should own a copy of the BOS, and years of experience in no way replaces a good solid education!  Finally, you should take the time to educate yourself, look things up you aren't sure of, and just plain care about the content of your work -- not just how much of it you can get done.

 << Getting off my soapbox now.

I have heard of possibly using SoftScript's platform/software/interface for Meditech. What can anyone tell me about this interface?

Right now we type in Meditech for each individual report before we type it. It takes FOREVER! Then we have to file the report electronically when we finish typing it. It is a very slow process.

I wanted to know if this interface I am hearing about for Meditech from SoftScript is anything like straight typing or is it a lot of inputting information?

Has anyone typed in Meditech before and now works for SoftScript or used to work for them who can give me an opinion as to how much quicker it might be?

Any relative information would be helpful!

have Stedman's Medical Dictationary on CD and I do use it quite a bit, but that's more because the actual print dictionary is so darn heavy to pick up and look a word up!

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!

why pay for anything, right?

Except that is AGAINST THE LAW!!!

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.

I do both basic 4 and radiology for a small hospital and get paid by the minute of dictation for all. Radiology is a third to half of the dictation I do a day.  I am thinking about going to just radiology.  Many of you have stated a per page or per report rate, but what is the average per line rate for radiology.  Is it different from the basic four dictation rate? 

There are only two radiologists at this hospital, both fairly easy to do except one is slow and one is fast, so fast, if I got paid per report, I would make four times what I make now per minute of dictation.  The slow one is going to retire soon and I will be stuck with the fast one and a new doctor which I probably will not have a problem with unless he is fast too and I would be making less money. 

Hi all,

If you would like some web pages to add to your "favorites," feel free to visit my website at:

http://www.geocities.com/greatest1mt/mypersonalpage.html

Paula

I always use Drugs@FDA.  I have it in my favorites:  http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/

You can look up drug names by using as few as three letters.  I find it's quick and efficient, and it's free, and because it's the FDA it's the latest info on drugs.

http://www.healthcarehiring.com/cgi-bin/providers.cgi?state=TX

The link is for the State of Texas, but you can change to any state at the bottom.  This includes all docs and NPs, including chiropractors.  Hope this helps!  Have a great day....