Does anybody know how they figure pack years?
Posted By: april on 2007-01-16
In Reply to:
I've always wondered this...When they say pt has a 40-pack-year hx of smoking, how do they compute that? Anybody know? Just curious.
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pack years
Subject: pack years
Personally, I would not hyphenate that he smoked for 120 packs years as you state it, as there is no adjective describing a noun. On the other hand, I would hyphenate if he has a 120-pack-year history of smoking, because that is a triple adjective describing a noun.
Five Pack Years'
Subject: Five Pack Years'
Smoking history: Five pack years’ ... do I have that typed right with the apostrophe after years
i would use 5-pack-years, BUT sm
Subject: i would use 5-pack-years, BUT sm
this is something that has never made sense to me... always had trouble with the pack/years thing... any input would be most appreciated!
Wound packing: s/l cannon pack, kenon pack
Subject: Wound packing: s/l cannon pack, kenon pack
I learned 27 years ago to use q.4h. (no spaces), past few years q.4 h. (see msg)
Subject: I learned 27 years ago to use q.4h. (no spaces), past few years q.4 h. (see msg)
Now some are saying it's q. 4h.?? UGH, YUCK!! I have also worked on accounts where it had to be "every 4 hours," and we had to spell out p.r.n. (as needed for). At least we got more characters.
First rule: It is all what the "client/account" wants, not always what the BOS says it is. I realize that language and its usage is constantly changing, but I've seen so many BOS and client flip-flops on so many other things in nearly 3 decades that it's laughable. What isn't laughable is when we get penalized for not knowing what they want, even when they, themselves, don't know or are wrong.
Oh, and I still prefer the old no spaces: q.4h., q.4-6h., q.12h., and so on.....
Wow, thank you. Just years, years and more years of experience
Subject: Wow, thank you. Just years, years and more years of experience
and a constant thirst for learning something new everyday. As we all know this can get to be somewhat boring, but learning from what I transcribe as well as from other transcriptionists keeps me going (money is not bad either). It becomes a challenge. But I can't thank you enough for the kind words.
Use to be younger...
Pack-a-day smoker versus pack-per-day smoker.
Subject: Pack-a-day smoker versus pack-per-day smoker.
It would be either "He is a two-pack-a-day smoker" or "He is a two-pack-per-day smoker.
If doc dictates "a" use that; if "per" go with that. That's what I do anyway. It makes life simpler that way. :)
2 years' time because years is plural. One year's time because it is singular, only one year.
Subject: 2 years' time because years is plural. One year's time because it is singular, only one year.
3/4 pack
Subject: 3/4 pack
It depends on the client's preference, but normally I type 3/4 pack a day.
two pack per day
Subject: two pack per day
He is a two-pack a day smoker.
or
He is a two-pack-per-day smoker.
I can't find anything in my BOS. Maybe I am missing it! :) Thanks!
trying to figure it out. sorry nm
Subject: trying to figure it out. sorry nm
s
If you figure out what this is....
Subject: If you figure out what this is....
Please let me know. I've done a lot of duplex ultrasounds over the past 5-6 years but I am very "aural" when it comes to dictation - once I see "increment" and have that in my mind, I can't think of anything else.  Anyway, I would like to know what it is in case I run across it.
Thanks! 
Thanks for trying anyway. I did figure it out though.
Subject: Thanks for trying anyway. I did figure it out though.
I had to copy the entire document into a new document and save it as a new document.
I believe she's saying figure-of-four but .... sm
Subject: I believe she's saying figure-of-four but .... sm
not sure if it fits with context. Can someone help? Here's more:
S: Low back pain. No radiation to lower extremities. No foot drop.
O: SLRs are essentially negative. She has full range of motion with negative (figure-of-four). No tenderness noted to palpation of spine. There are palpable spasms on both the right and left low back region.
A: Musculoskeletal low back pain with spasm.
P: Treat with Skelaxin 800 mg, Lodine 400 mg. Pt could also take Vicodin.
No, sorry. Maybe QA can figure it out. sm
Subject: No, sorry. Maybe QA can figure it out. sm
I've spent too much time on it as it is. I'm overly tired and grumpy anyway from getting up to pee every hour for the last several nights from my own urinary issues. The NP said I'd have relief today. What an a**hole. I'm in so much pain. He insists it could not be a kidney stone yet I'm peeing massive amounts of blood and blood clots. I've had a hyster so I know it's not coming from there. I don't usually wish things on people but I'm so grumpy from lack of sleep and in so much pain right now, I hope he gets one this bad. Curses! 
Tried and tried, but cannot figure out what she's saying. Please help..sm
Subject: Tried and tried, but cannot figure out what she's saying. Please help..sm
A 77-year-old - history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension - in a wheelchair. No obvious distress when first presents.
While being x-rayed, she complained of weakness, dizziness and extreme nausea. She became somewhat s/l obtended and her blood pressure rose to 180/102.
Needed more urgent evaluation and was sent to the ER.
DX: DJD and sudden change in mental status with elevation of BP.
can't figure this out, but could doc be saying
Subject: can't figure this out, but could doc be saying
"notable" for something??
rally pack
Subject: rally pack
Thanks!
napro pack???
Subject: napro pack???
Napro pack napro pack Napro Pak napro pak.......anybody????
s/l track and pack
Subject: s/l track and pack
ESL, dictating a problem list in a patient with respiratory failure, anemia and hip fracture: It's just a numbered list of problems.
Status post s/l "track and pack". ?????
1-pack-per-day smoker? Is this right?
Subject: 1-pack-per-day smoker? Is this right?
Is that hyphened or not?
"The patient is a 1 pack per day smoker..."
Thank you for any help!
s/l stat pack
Subject: s/l stat pack
in hernia repair
he says "secured laterally with s/l stat pack and then the anterior mesh...."
Thx
I will just put vag pack then to be safe. Thanks.
Subject: I will just put vag pack then to be safe. Thanks.
x
K-pad is used as both a heating pad and/or an ice pack.
Subject: K-pad is used as both a heating pad and/or an ice pack.
Rally pack. nm
Subject: Rally pack. nm
nm
ENT type of pack
Subject: ENT type of pack
s/l ambrose pack?
Under binocular microscopy the ambrose pack was removed.
A new ambrose pack was placed in the left ear.
Any ideas?
Ambrus ear pack
Subject: Ambrus ear pack
http://www.xomcat.com/index.php?zone=int&cat=5&sub=53&prodline=733
Merocel Ambrus ear pack made by Medtronic is used to keep the ear canal open during meatoplasty.
20-pack-year vs. 20 pack-year
Subject: 20-pack-year vs. 20 pack-year
Which is correct? 20-pack-year history of smoking or 20 pack-year history of smoking. I've seen it both ways. TIA.
20-pack-year
Subject: 20-pack-year
x
Ortho s/l 3-pack
Subject: Ortho s/l 3-pack
Hi all, Not sure what this one is. "His (s/l 3-pack)reveals a positive palpation of the groove, tenderness in the groove, and a positive throwing test". Any ideas?? I might just need a six-pack if I cannot get this! lol
s/ emergi-pack
Subject: s/ emergi-pack
Lortab s/l emergi-pack. I can't find this anywhere.
Paulson pack?
Subject: Paulson pack?
Anyone heard of something s/l "paulson pack" to clean the uterine cavity in a c section?
guaze and pack?
Subject: guaze and pack?
"Paulson" sounds like "gauze'n" pack?
25-pack-year
Subject: 25-pack-year
25-pack-year
Subject: 25-pack-year
nm
Only hyphens if it said 1/2-pack-per-day
Subject: Only hyphens if it said 1/2-pack-per-day
x
Riba-pack?
Subject: Riba-pack?
Has anyone heard of Riba-pack? I can't find it except on a few sites, but not on my prescription site, tia.. gina
s/l duro pack?
Subject: s/l duro pack?
a moistened (Duro) pack was then placed?
thanks in advance
sorry, I will figure this out one of these days
Subject: sorry, I will figure this out one of these days
but the previous link works at least!
If anyone can figure this out I will be so grateful!
Subject: If anyone can figure this out I will be so grateful!
She says: Upper extremity, right, and rigidity with bright red ***ek-I-nas-ia**.
This is in PE, and she is usually quick with this section and doesn't explain much, so I have nothing else to go off of. This is a geriatric medicine note. Also, it's pretty much verbatim, so this is what is said.
Thanks!
Help trying to figure out this term..
Subject: Help trying to figure out this term..
Sounds like "tick del-a-ro?" Docs gives an "unsure" spelling of d-o-l-e-r-a-u. Is anyone familiar with this term? Thanks!!!!
I figure cc is used in a syringe sm
Subject: I figure cc is used in a syringe sm
and mL is liquid can be given through a syringe minus the needle orally. You will also see this on the measuring cup on top of cough medicine. cc and mL are measurements equal in quantity. 5 mL = 1 tsp or 5 cc = 1 tsp. I think the dangerous abbreviations are more for handwritten notes as opposed to transcription. JMO.
Need a "sounds like" to help figure it out. nm
Subject: Need a "sounds like" to help figure it out. nm
x
It is also hard to figure out ...
Subject: It is also hard to figure out ...
... because they put this patient on 1 baby aspirin a day, which I thought was to thin the blood. I actually ended up asking a doc at the hospital where I work, and he seemed to indicate that there wasn't really any "hypocoagulable workup" -- it was more like "bleeding studies." There is a "hypercoagulable workup" which is extensively discussed on the net, but this patient with the bleeding may be more a candidate for the bleeding studies. However, from what I have read on the net, the tests that are done for a "hypercoagulable workup" are the ones which are being ordered for this patient. Sigh. I'm going to change it to hypercoagulable, and mark it just in case. Thanks for your input.
Oh, gee, we can't extrapolate from that and figure
Subject: Oh, gee, we can't extrapolate from that and figure
There are typists and there are transcriptionists. Guess you're a typist.
Can anyone figure out what this doctor was saying sm?
Subject: Can anyone figure out what this doctor was saying sm?
I had this one time. It sounded just like this.
The patient has refreybrindriss
It is actually in the dictionary, go figure...
Subject: It is actually in the dictionary, go figure...
a·hold /əˈhoʊld/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-hohld] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. Informal. a hold or grasp (often fol. by of): He took ahold of my arm. Grab ahold!
–adverb 2. Nautical Archaic. close to the wind and on a single tack: to keep a vessel ahold.
—Idiom3. get ahold of, Informal. hold (def. 51
Sjogren (wow twice in one day - go figure)
Subject: Sjogren (wow twice in one day - go figure)
would you mind to tell us what it was, I could not figure it out...Thanks..nm
Subject: would you mind to tell us what it was, I could not figure it out...Thanks..nm
x
S/l help needed. Can't figure it out.
Subject: S/l help needed. Can't figure it out.
Seen for preop pain medicine consult. The patient has some s/l per-jita or prah-jeeta concerns regarding the use of benzodiazepines and Versed.
ESL doc and I cannot figure this word out. sm
Subject: ESL doc and I cannot figure this word out. sm
2 day echocardiograph done which was reported to have normal ___ systolic function.
Yes I am a new MT.
Thanks in advance!!!
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