Regarding AAMT rules
Posted By: psychMT on 2006-08-13
In Reply to: I need opinion on something from AAMT regarding style... - Pokey
Subject: Regarding AAMT rules
I go with my client preference, and when I began working his account, the sample reports did not use BOS rules. I only use numerals to express drug dosage, measurements, dates, etc. I also agree with you on the appearance of it.
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ALS is correct per AAMT rules. See cite.
I don't care whether the BOS is right or wrong on the issue. I have to use it and so do others. Here's what it says.
As per AAMT BOS 2nd edition page 189: Always capitalize genus names and their abbreviated forms when accompanied by species name. Lowercase genus names used in plural and adjectival forms and when used in the vernacular; for example, when they stand alone without a species name.
Ringer. AAMT BOS2 rules on eponyms.
Subject: Ringer. AAMT BOS2 rules on eponyms.
By AAMT rules, need help with period with drug values. (sm)
Subject: By AAMT rules, need help with period with drug values. (sm)
Is this right?
1 gm
0.1 mg
1 mg
I was taught that it was 1.0 mg but doc wants it to be just 1 mg and 1 gm.
Help. Thanks.
It is not 'erroneous', only add to the AAMT rules, which change every year!
Subject: It is not 'erroneous', only add to the AAMT rules, which change every year!
To say that the plural form decubiti for the singular of decubitus is
'erroneous' is plain BS !
And it is known that the AAMT, now it has another name, 'makes up' its own grammar rules for the MTing.
This issue has been discussed numerous times on this board and causes a lot of confusion for the MTs and arguments between MTs, QAs and the clients.
EVERY year the BOS rules are changed. We just got used to the BOS 2 and in December 08 the BOS 3 was issued, again with new rules to adhere. The price is around $ 90.--.
number rules?
Subject: number rules?
Two of my teachers taught different number rules. One, said that they should almost always be numeral form. The other said that numbers are usually spelled out.
I believe the Book of Style says numerals are usually appropriate, accept for zero, at the beginning of a sentence, drug admin. abrev's., etc..
Anyone? Numerals right? With acceptions? I'm just starting.
I do agree with you, but it seems none of the rules fit this..
Subject: I do agree with you, but it seems none of the rules fit this..
BOS says if you can put "and" between the adjectives then use a comma, which in this case you really can't until btwn telangiectatic and vascular. Just always second guessing myself.
Thank you!!!!
IF you are to follow BOS rules...sm
Subject: IF you are to follow BOS rules...sm
The patient has Alzheimer disease.
She has Alzheimer's.
Don't use the apostrophe S when 'disease' follows.
But, that is the BOS rule. Your client and/or company may prefer it's own rule.
Format rules in MT
Okay, I am an old gal working mostly ias in-hospital MT (VA, Teaching hospital), but I did also work off and on for MTSOs at home. Now going back a long time, I was always taught that in formatting Problem Lists or Hospital Course by problem list you transcribe it this way. Problem #1 - HYPERTENSION. The patient is taking lisinopril currently..... or if the doc did not say PROBLEM #1, then you transcribed it 1. HYPERTENSION. Blah, blah, blah. When did this change and become wrong? Most of the docs I am now transcribing for one of the major MTSOs now (left the hospital), actually ask that we capitalize the major problem. Is this in the so-called AHDI BOS2?
IMHO, using the capitalization on the problem is much easier to read, than this...
1. Hypertension. The blah, blah, blah..
2. Diabetes mellitus type 2. Uncontrolled. Not compliant.
Any QAers out there can answer this one for this old school nitpicker?
Well, CLIENT PREFERENCE rules.....sm
Subject: Well, CLIENT PREFERENCE rules.....sm
Always, always it's client preference. I was just speaking in a BOS/AAMT ruling about numbers. Client preference most definitely IS the bottom line. 
Help, I can't remember the hyphen rules.
Is there a hyphen with non-radiating and non-icteric, or all one word, or separated? Thanks. I'm an old dog and I don't want to learn new tricks.
Rules for tense in a report?
I always thought it was past tense. I have a doc who started the first 2 sentences using past tense and then suddenly switched to present test. IV sedation IS administered, Patient IS positioned. Do you change present to past or type as is? Nothing in the CP about it.
Rules here per admin is No Testing..sm
Subject: Rules here per admin is No Testing..sm
hope you have a happy happy new year and good luck in your studies/testing
thanks....lots of rules with numbers!
Subject: thanks....lots of rules with numbers!
Rules change over the years
Subject: Rules change over the years
but some rules are that way just because it sounds right. 5 centimeters were injected just sounds ignorant and I don't care who you are, as Larry the Cable Guy would say. ;-)
If your account doesn't have specific rules about it, sm
the correct way would be to write it out in full (Escherichia coli) whether or not it was dictated in full. Then, if the dictator says E. coli after that, then it is correct to transcribe it that way. If the dictator says it in full the next time, then transcribe it in full. Check your account's guidelines for their preference.
as poster above stated, I was going with BOS rules...relax! :) nm
Subject: as poster above stated, I was going with BOS rules...relax! :) nm
I think just the normal rules of English would apply
Subject: I think just the normal rules of English would apply
Whenever adding *ing* to a word that ends in t, you add an extra t.
A couple of grammar rules are at play here
Subject: A couple of grammar rules are at play here
First of all, both got and gotten are correct forms of the verb get. However, got is a past tense or past participle depending on whether or not the word "has" or "have" is used in front of it. Gotten, however, is past participle and should be used with the word "has" or "have" in front of it.
It has gotten increasingly larger - okay. It gotten increasingly larger - not okay. It got increasingly larger - okay. It has got increasingly larger - okay.
So if your doc says it anyway but "It gotten increasingly larger", he is correct. It's simply a matter of preference. Brits don't generally use the word "gotten", and therefore, a lot of people think it is not a legitimate word, but it is.
Time format rules in BOS 3rd edition?
Can anyone tell me what the specific rules are for time format in the new BOS on pages 337-339. A brief description would be great or u can scan and email it to me too, whichever is easier.
I do intend to buy my own soon but I have to wait till payday and I'm starting a new company right now that uses that book :(
TIA !
I believe that is only if the company is compliant with JCHO rules. Not all companies are.
Subject: I believe that is only if the company is compliant with JCHO rules. Not all companies are.
may I just add something about AAMT...sm
Subject: may I just add something about AAMT...sm
While I used to respect the AAMT, the AAMT is not the end-all, be-all, and, in fact, prior to the late 1990s, their book was 80 pages long....
just my 2 cents....
According to AAMT and ..
Subject: According to AAMT and ..
the Pharmicist's association, q.d. is on the "dangerous abbreviations" list. So if you did shorten it to the abbreviation, it can only be "1 daily" or "1 every day"
And where did the AAMT
Subject: And where did the AAMT
get this information?
AAMT
Subject: AAMT
In my most humble opinion, I would think the AAMT BOS rules are set by AAMT, as Joint Commision accredits hospitals. Some of the style guides that my account uses are actually requirements by Joint Commission, but not those specifically required by the BOS. Anyone else have an opinion? 
I mean q.6h. (per AAMT)
Subject: I mean q.6h. (per AAMT)
nm
AAMT BOS
Subject: AAMT BOS
"I wrote him a prescription for 38 Tylox." Am I supposed to type #38 or not? 
Per AAMT
Subject: Per AAMT
Abbreviate units of measure, even if dictated in full, if they are accompanied by a numeral.
I would assume in your case since it is not accompanied by a number and has the word of between the two, then I would spell it out.
# according to AAMT
Subject: # according to AAMT
I type for a hospital so # are not written out. I only have the first AAMT book. In the new book, is it now standard to not write out #. I am QAing a clinic where they told me to use my own judgement as half MT are writing them out and the other half are not. What is new standard rule?
AAMT BOS
Subject: AAMT BOS
Use only with numerals. Use a lowercase x in expressions of area and volume, as a multiplication symbol, and when it takes the place of the word times.
A capital X is generally used to express magnification.
X30 magnification
x meaning by (dimensions)
Use a lowercase x to express by in dimensions.
Space before and after the x.
13 x 2 cm
x meaning for
When the word "times" is dictated and can be translated as for, it should be transcribed as for rather than using times or x.
D: The patient was given antibiotics to take times 2 weeks.
T: The patient was given antibiotics to take for 2 weeks.
x meaning times
When the word "times" is dictated and means the number of times a thing was done, the letter x can be used.
To keep this expression together and easily read as a unit, do not place a space after the x.
D: Blood cultures were negative times 3.
T: Blood cultures were negative x3.
Use the symbol x meaning times only when the x precedes a numeral.
D: Demerol was administered 3 times.
T: Demerol was administered 3 times. not ...3x.
Yes, BOS is from AAMT, but
Subject: Yes, BOS is from AAMT, but
what they base their decisions on I'll never know.
A new BOS is being written, and the new writers have some much better credentials than the former writers, so hopefully the new one will make actual sense. One can only hope.
it is CT per AAMT
Subject: it is CT per AAMT
x
AAMT BOS
Subject: AAMT BOS
affect, effect
These terms often sound alike when dictated, but their usage and meanings are not interchangeable. Affect is usually a verb, and effect is usually a noun. In medicine either of these terms may be a verb or noun, with a multitude of meanings, and their differences in usage and meaning should be learned.
affect
As a verb, affect (pronounced af-féct) means to influence or change.
She suffers from a neuropathy affecting her upper extremities.
The warm encouragement of the patient's wife positively affected his outcome.
As a noun, affect (pronounced áf-fect) means an expressed or observed emotion or feeling.
The patient displayed a flat affect.
Her affect did not change throughout the course of the interview.
effect
As a verb, effect means to bring about or cause to happen.
We plan to effect a decrease in the size of the tumor using adjunctive therapy.
The medication effected relief.
As a noun, effect means result.
The effect of the treatment was pronounced.
A mass effect was seen on x-ray.
Copyright (c) 2002 American Association for Medical
Transcription
It is confusing! I have been doing this for years and still have to stop and think at times. Good luck to you! You are getting into a great field of work! Hope you can get with a good company!
x3 per AAMT
Subject: x3 per AAMT
According to AAMT BOS use
Subject: According to AAMT BOS use
arabic numerals (not roman numerals) in this case.
See AAMT-BOS (sm)
Subject: See AAMT-BOS (sm)
Gleason tumor grade
Also known as Gleason score. The system scores or grades the prognosis for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, with a scale of 1 through 5 for each dominant and secondary pattern; these are then totaled for the score. The higher the score, the poorer the prognosis.
Lowercase grade or score, and use arabic numerals.
Diagnosis: Adenocarcinoma of prostate, Gleason score 8.
Gleason score 3 + 2 = 5.
Gleason 3 + 3 with a total score of 6.
without the S per AAMT-BOS (sm)
Subject: without the S per AAMT-BOS (sm)
eponyms
Names of entities—e.g., diseases, anatomic structures, operations, or tests— derived from the names of persons or places.
Homans sign
Lyme disease
Down syndrome
capitalization
Capitalize eponyms but not the common nouns, adjectives, and prefixes that accompany them.
Do not capitalize words derived from eponyms.
ligament of Treitz
red Robinson catheter
non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Parkinson disease but parkinsonism
Cushing syndrome but cushingoid
plurals
Do not use an apostrophe in the plural forms of eponyms.
Babinskis were negative.
possessive form
AAMT first advocated dropping the possessive form of eponyms in 1990. We adopted this standard because it promotes consistency and clarity. More recently, The AMA Manual of Style (1998), Stedman's Medical Dictionary (2000), and Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary (2000), have acknowledged the trend away from the possessive form.
It is important to note, however, that use of the possessive form remains an acceptable alternative if dictated and/or if indicated as the preference by employer or client.
Apgar score
Babinski sign
Down syndrome
Gram stain
Hodgkin lymphoma
In awkward constructions, such as when the noun following the eponym is omitted, the possessive form becomes preferred.
The patient's husband suffers from Alzheimer's.
AAMT says...
Subject: AAMT says...
AAMT under cancer classifications has it as grade 1.
AAMT says...
Subject: AAMT says...
AAMT under obstetrics has it as gravida 1 or G1
62 mL - according to AAMT - nm
Subject: 62 mL - according to AAMT - nm
From AAMT
Subject: From AAMT
fractions
Spell out or use numerals for common fractions. Use the dictation style as a guide.
An hour and a half before presentation, the patient slipped and fell.
or Approximately 1-1/2 hours before presentation... (if dictated "one and a half hours" or "one and one-half hours")
The glass was two-thirds full. or The glass was 2/3 full.
7/8-inch wound
a half-inch incision or a 1/2-inch incision (since it was dictated precisely)
about a half inch below the sternal notch (the word about makes this an imprecise measurement)
He smokes a pack and a half of cigarettes per day.
or He smokes 11/2 packs of cigarettes per day.
or He smokes 1-1/2 packs of cigarettes per day.
Copyright (c) 2002 American Association for Medical Transcription
Per my AAMT BOS, gm is acceptable, sm
Subject: Per my AAMT BOS, gm is acceptable, sm
but g is the referred method (no period), which is the way I type it, i.e. Valtrex 1 g
Of course, my BOS is not the newest version, so things could have changed.
FYI-AAMT BOS, edition 2
Subject: FYI-AAMT BOS, edition 2
 Just thought I would pass on some information recently sent to me.
AAMT BOS (Book of Style), 2nd edition
periods
Do not use periods within or at the end of most abbreviations, including acronyms, abbreviated units of measure, and brief forms. Use a period at the end of abbreviated English units of measure if they may be misread without the period. Better still, write out most English units of measure, thereby avoiding this use of a period at the end of an abbreviation.
wbc
WBC
mg
exam
prep
inch preferred to in. (Do not use in meaning inch without a period.)
However, use periods in lowercase drug-related abbreviations.
b.i.d.
q.4 h. = note it is "q.4" and then a space before the "h."
p.o.
p.r.n.
If a sentence terminates with an abbreviation that requires a period, do not add another period.
He takes Valium 5 mg q.a.m.
not He takes Valium 5 mg q.a.m..
plurals
Use a lowercase s without an apostrophe to form the plural of capitalized abbreviations, acronyms, and brief forms.
EEGs
PVCs
CABGs
exams
Use 's to form the plural of lowercase abbreviations.
rbc's
Use 's to form the plural of single-letter abbreviations.
X's
Hyphens and adjectives
15-year-old boy
The patient is a 33-year-old.
2-year 5-month-old child (note no comma in this)
5-1/2-year-old girl
1-month course
.38-caliber pistol - note no leading zero here - see below
two-thirds full
one-half normal saline
half-normal saline
She was panic-stricken
20-pack-year history
self-medicated
shell-like
For quantities less than 1, place a zero before the decimal point, except when the number could never equal 1 (e.g., in bullet calibers and in certain statistical expressions such as correlation coefficients and statistical probability).
0.75 mg
.22-caliber rifle
the new AAMT BOS says about numbers....sm
Subject: the new AAMT BOS says about numbers....sm
that you should use 4-5 and not spell out four to five.....all numbers now, even 1 through 9, should be numerals and not spelling out four, five, etc.
quote from AAMT BOS
Subject: quote from AAMT BOS
eponyms
A name of a drug, disease, anatomic structure, operations, etc., derived from the name of the person or place. Do not use the possessive form.
Homans sign
Lyme disease
Parkinson disease
Cushing syndrome
ligament of Treitz
I went to an AAMT convention once and
Subject: I went to an AAMT convention once and
Someone asked her about that word, and she said never type pussy, type pus-filled or pus-like. That is what I have done ever since and never got dinged on QA for it.
As per AAMT book 2, is it x2 or x 2? TIA nm
Subject: As per AAMT book 2, is it x2 or x 2? TIA nm
x
AAMT Style
Subject: AAMT Style
Anyone have any good web links to sum up AAMT BOS Second Edition - Don't have book yet...Thanks
Probably AAMT's benefit.
Subject: Probably AAMT's benefit.
I have been an MT for over 25 years and this is crazy stuff. I just do what the clients/hospitals prefer. Too many AAMT guidelines and I feel some are just totally ridiculous.
AAMT changes this every year when they want to--sm
Subject: AAMT changes this every year when they want to--sm
sell another version of the BOS. I go with client preferance, which is still spelling out 1-10 and numerical above 10. Dates are spelled out within the body of the report...client preference. AAMT is not the know all end all, just another money grabbing gimic! JMO
AAMT rule
Subject: AAMT rule
Just getting back into MT after a long hiatus and can't remember the rules when typing numbers. Is it okay to separate number values by commas, such as 1, 2, 3, etc.? (pathetic, I know.) TIA!
cannot find in AAMT BOS
Subject: cannot find in AAMT BOS
Overall, the medication has been well-tolerated or well tolerated?
Thanks!
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