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also see discussion above re: line counts

Posted By: PC MT on 2008-12-19
In Reply to: Discussion about Escription 6 versus 8 - Janet

I believe our lines in eScription were all manipulated which also brought the hourly rate down. If you are an IC, you should invoice your company anyway and do you own accounting and NOT rely on their software or you'll get screwed. If you're an employee, the only way not to get cheated is to never sign on for production pay and ONLY agree to an hourly rate...but good luck with that. Especially if your company outsources offshore like mine did. soooooo glad to be done with those a**holes!


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everyone is banned for discussion line rates being offered
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Yes to old reports! Their ExText has all the regular functions except line counts are done on line
s
Line counts - the lower the line count requirements
the harder the account and problems with trying to get production off the platform the company uses.
Getting line counts up

I recently was hired for a national company, after having worked in-house for about 5 years in a physical therapy clinic.  I'm still in the training status.  Every day when I check my line count, I cannot believe it!  It's in the 200-250 area.  I know I'm slow, having to look up almost all drugs, many procedures, etc., and I'm adding to the expander program every day, but I don't see how I can get a lot faster.  We don't get credit for header information and oftentimes this takes several minutes to look up, add to, correct.


Any suggestions/comments are welcome!


 


Line counts

Does anyone out there or has anyone out there worked for Transtech Medical Solutions and if so could you provide some input on their line counts and why there are 3 different platforms to figure your lines that give you 3 different figures and final line count is lower than those 3 platforms.  Any info would be appreciated.


Thanks


LINE COUNTS
Be that as it may but have you have problems with your line count W?
line counts
I was given $10 guaranteed hourly for the first pay period, unless I did more than the 12,000 lines. That was a joke because I, like you, was, and still am, getting awful dictators. I did not make the 12,000 line requirement until 5 pay periods later. You will get there.....eventually. I can only dream what my line count would be if I had some decent dictators!
Line Counts
Line counts are pretty easy to get.  I don't have any problem, but of course, the longer you are with any company/account, the easier line counts get.  They require 150 lph, but they aren't sticklers about it, if you don't.  (It took me a few months to get to 150, but then after that, 175-180 is about the norm).  They let you pick your schedule.  They are pretty flexible with that.  I work a split shift and it works out great.  They have excellent shift differentials.  They use Shorthand as their Expander and if you're already using it, you can transfer it in.  They have quality equipment.  You don't spend a lot of time waiting.  As far as demographics go, for the most part, it all pre-fills.  Occasionally, you will get a patient you have to look up the name for, but it's easy and doesn't take long.  It's an easy system to get used to, as well.  You don't have to have 6 different windows open to do one thing.  They have normals and examples easily available for different dictators, etc.  Overall, it's definitely worth applying and taking the test.  (The tests have caused problems for some folks - there's a written one and then 3 or 4 dictation samples).
Line counts

I sure did not have trouble getting between 250-350 lines per hour when I was with MDI at 11 cpl.  I quit to take a radiology position that pays gross.  The Bayscribe platform is very user friendly and I never had trouble with any of my accounts (2). 


Line Counts
I average 250-300+ lph on my acute care account at MDI.
line counts
I most certainly did read it.  I was stating that when I paste report into Word it does agree with the DQS line count, not that it does not agree. 
Line counts

It really depends on how many characters you do in a day.  For instance, if your total chars are 50,000 - then divide that by 65 csl and you get 769 lines total.  And the same for a 72 csl - divided by 72 would be 694 lines total.


So the more chars you type the more lines it turns out to be.  Figure 85,000 chars would get you 1,307 lines!


csmr-mt


Line counts

Again, I want to ask what can be done bout something... The way are lines are calculated by the MTs is to take 24 x the number of reports we have done in a day and that is just a guesstimate I am told.  The owner has a line-counting program called Docu-Count and we do not have have access to that program.  Again, when we get our paychecks.. it just shows the line count but we have no way of knowing exactly what our line count is compared to the what the owner comes up with.  I have asked a person there at the office who helps with payroll and explained that my line counting program comes up a lot more than the one they use at the office and the response to me was I have to go.  Does anyone besides me find this odd and know what I can do about it.. Im afraid to ask him for fear that I will lose my job and I need this job right now.  TIA.   


line counts

Well, that's good to know.  Do you know if we are paid for the headings in the report? I think that might make the difference.  I literally go from one IC job in the morning, making right at 300 lph, to struggling for 200 to 225 at Precyse.  If we are paid for the headings (which we should be, because they don't appear out of thin air and they all take at least 3 keystrokes), then maybe I'm just too tired to pull off 300 lph at a second job. 


TT Line counts

Since the Ichart line counting program for TT has been having problems, I have noticed that my line counts have gone down.  Has anyone else experienced this problem?  I am starting to get worried about it.


TIA


 


 


line counts
anyone working for TTS having trouble with their line counts?
TTS line counts
An email was sent out to all about that earlier. It appears to be an ongoing issue with Dictaphone, and probably something they have no control over. I am sure they will get it straightened out soon, they can't afford not to.
Line counts
Let me ask you this then, to whose benefit is this equipment geared to - not to increase an MTs productivity, give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ichart service, Dictaphone can help you assess the true cost of your current transcription infrastructure.

Past audits have revealed some of the following billing discrepancies:

Inadequate Billing Detail.
No true MT line counting standards for billing.
Challenging Audit Trail and Process.
Special Characters Can Inflate Line Counts By 15%.
Invisible Characters Can Inflate Line Counts Up To 20-40%!
Poorly Designed Templates can lead to Excessive Line Counts.
Multi-page Reports can Drive Excessive Characters and/or hidden words.
Line Counts

Not too long ago there were numerous posts regarding Transtech and the line count situation.  I was just wondering if any TransTech employees are still experiencing discrepancies with their line counts.


Thanks


Line Counts
Nope...no problems now or ever. The Dictaphone system might lag from time to time, but it's not TransTech's fault. It's no big deal at all. All we have to do is just wait a couple of hours and the lines count program calculates out. There's just a short lag. I've never lost so much as a character.
line counts
Do you use your own line counter and if so what kind do you use?
line counts are off
If you dont use you own counter to compare then of course you would not notice a discrepancy but if you use your own line counter and your counts are close to what I-Chart then what line counter are you using.
line counts
Yes I have talked with management repeatedly to no avail which is why I posted the question here. It just might be that I am not using the right kind of line counter or have not set my variables correctly. The reason I asked the question is that if others are using their own line counters and their counts are relatively close to I-Chart then I wanted to find out what they were using so that I too could try that and see what happens from there. So, if you are using your own counter if you could tell me what you use that would be very much appreciated.
line counts
True and true,and if it was that I would forget about it but if something is wrong now and it goes on who is to say it won't escalate. But, like I said I just wanted basically to find out what, if any, line counters other transcribers might be using so that I could at least try that.
TT and line counts
How can they expect you to meet their requirements when they consistently run out of work?
Line Counts

Does anyone else work for a company where you can't check your line counts?  Its driving me NUTS!  I've worked for them for 3 weeks and my keeping track through the Lanier is always way more than they say I have done.  I really like the account but might leave if it keeps up.  Any advice appreciated!


Line counts
For the life of me, I cannot find my offer letter with the required lines. Why don't you just go through their website and e mail them, or call. I am sure they will respond. Besides, the requirement may have changed in a year. Good luck!
MDI line counts
Does anyone else have a difficult time making lines with MDI-MD. Doing multispeciality clinic and some discharge.  It just seems like an awful lot of typing for little lines. Major struggle.  Also it seems as if you are not getting credit for demographics, addresses for letters etc. Do they not pay for headers, footers. What about headings? Something definitely seems odd. There is no real way to get exact lines on Bayscribe. They give you an estimate of line and amount you made but the paystub doesn't even tell you the total lines you did a pay period. Just seems odd
Line counts are low
My line count is down by at least 200 lines per day even though I produce the same amount of documents as I did on the old platform. So, things do not add up.
line counts
I worked for MQ for almost 10 years before going to TT. I make a lot more money with TT than I did with MQ. I was actually being paid 1.5 cpl more at MQ than I am at TT. I work my 40 hours with a heck of a lot less stress and aggravation, and actually feel appreciated. That may not be important to some people, but for some reason it is to me. However, the bottom line is my paycheck. I had dropped about 250.00 a pay period by the time I left MQ with all the changes they had made with work pools and ASR. I now make more money for the same 40 hours, so do I think I am being ripped off, heck no! I have no doubt I am being paid for what I type.
QA and line counts

As has been stated in many of the posts on this board, quality is the top priority at Axolotl.  We type what is dictated unless account specifics say otherwise or there is a gross medical error.  We do not get docked for sending a report to QA with blanks unless the blanks are excessive on an ongoing period of time. We do not get docked for punctuation.  If you type a wrong word, then you get docked.  If you do not follow account specifics, then you get docked.  If you add or miss a word, you get docked.  I have not fallen below 99.2% in 2 years on my monthly audits.  The system also allows you to see every edited report.  The MTs are also allowed to challenge an error that has been assessed.  I have had errors overturned, as well as some that were not overturned. 


As far as reaching my line count, I haven't had any problems.  I think their platform is the easiest I have ever worked on.  MTs are given every tool possible by the company so that they are productive.  


I think if an MT has a problem maintaining the QA score and/or reaching 1200 lines, it is that particular person's bad habits. 


Line counts
Mine usually post immediately, but I think some accounts are slower than others to post for some reason.
Line counts

I'm disheartened lately by the inability to make my line counts.  I'm not a beginner.  I have 15 years' experience but have changed companies recently.  I didn't want to make another change, but I would like to know if there is a company where you can actually say you know for a fact that you are being paid for each character and each space.  When I highlight the lines I have typed I get one figure in Word.  Then when I look at my statistics - this is ExText - I'm 75 to 200 lines below that.  I can't get a clear answer from anyone on this, and obviously everyone else is satisfied.  I think I would start looking around again, but I don't want to get into the same situation at another company. 


I hear good things about some of the companies here.  If I were going to make a change to be my absolute last one,  can anyone recommend the company they work for.  I have 15 years' experience, excellent quality.  I NEVER send to QA and maybe have 4 blanks a day and take pride in having a perfect report.  I don't mind a fair amount of ESLs.  I think the thing I'm looking for is honesty.  I can't stand feeling taken advantage of.  I would like a company that appreciates the fact that I work my schedule and do my work in a timely manner and shows this appreciation by giving me credit for what I type.


I guess I just need to rant, but I'm getting ready to apply to work at Hobby Lobby and get some enjoyment from my minimum wage.


line counts
TextTally is a good program and you can get this free.  The problem is that some companies tell you that you are getting credit for spaces, etc. and they have set the program to not give that.  I agree with the other post - you need to have the supervisor show you and tell you exactly what they are counting or not counting - it may be different than what you were told when they hired you.   Get direct answers and proof.   If you have been misled - move on to an honest company.   Good luck.
TT line counts
Not all TT accounts have line count discrepancies, and if some of the newer ones do, TT/Dictaphone or whoever is working on it. I have no problems with my accounts. I have counted my lines manually on a few occasions, and TT's count is always a few MORE lines than what I calculate. After transcribing for 30 years, you can eyeball your line counts pretty well. I feel bad for all the MTs who live in paranoia and fear of being cheated of their lines. I've always been able to resolve a line count issue with my pre-TT supervisors and wouldn't hesitate to contact TT if I felt there was ever a problem. Best regards to all.
Line counts sm
Their line counts are usually higher than what i get too. Still get paper checks once a week.
No line counts for me :-(
x
Line Counts
I have been with Axolotl for 3 years and the line counting has been better than with any other company I have worked for.  I work on several accounts and I have recently been adjusting to learning new dictators and my lines have come down some.  I still make better money than I ever have with any other company.  I don't think there is a better company out there that matches the benefits and downtime pay.  I can almost bet things will be picking up before long.
getting line counts
Have been with current company since November; platform not great.  I find myself logging in/out all day as the audio is bad and the dictators are worse.  Once I log out I think I've gotten rid of the dictator, buy after even an hour sometimes, I log back in and there are the same dictators back in my Q.  Can't make any money/line counts down.  Any suggestions other than finding another company.  LOL.  Would like to make my 1000/lines/day  required, but find it almost impossible to do.
Line counts
You're right. Noticed the exact same thing. When compared to another line counter it is taking away 15%. No way do the headers equal 15% of a report. What gives with this?
line counts
Copy and paste the body of the report into another word document, then do a line count. Medrite can be set up to count various ways - spaces or not, headers, footers, formatting codes. If you keep statistics for each account you do NOW, then you will be able to tell after the upgrade if there has been any tweeking to cheat the MTs out of anything that affects your line counts. In Word, you can set up what gets counted, with or without spaces, headers or footers. Most companies do not pay for demographics or headers, so if you copy and paste into a new word document, then do a count from this new document (I would assume with spaces), then you should have a fairly accurate count that matches what you are being paid. This takes some spare time, but you would only need to do it for enough reports of each work type to get a enough data to prove your point if you needed it. I hope you don't see a change in line counts after the upgrade.

If there are no other changes except an upgrade to the same program, you should never see a line count difference. On an average over a week or pay period, most of us have a feel for how long it takes to transcribe X amount of lines. When those lines decrease for more than a day, our guts tell us something is rotten in Denmark. Being prepared in advance to document how we know this is to our advantage.
How do you find out line counts (sm)

for individual reports using the Dictaphone EXText platform?  The only option I see is the session statistics which gives totals.  I like to verify that I'm being credited with the appropriate number of lines.


Otherwise, seems like a nice company, very responsive, expanding rapidly, excellent IT staff.  [It's too late in the day to get my question answered via email, which is why I'm posting it.  If no responses, I'll ask in the morning.]


Thanks in advance.


Line counts not a problem
I honestly can't speak for any platform except the one I'm on, but I have no problem at all meeting line counts and I've only been an MT for 6 months. I almost always qualify for bonus pay for doing quite a bit over the line count minimum. Someone mentioned tons of e-mails to read- they must get a lot of e-mails that I don't because I spend very little time reading e-mails. The word Expander is also very adaptable - I've added tons of my own macros. I think Spheris is great and I'm making pretty good money there, but I get the feeling that the Spheris experience can vary depending on what platform you are on, what account you are on, etc. I would give them a try, though, as I know others besides myself that are very happy there.
Line Counts and EXText
I work for a company that uses Dictaphone EXText.  They deduct 30% off our total line counts for headers and footers, saying they will not pay for it because we do not type it.  Of course, we do type it and the template is very time consuming (looking up referrals, etc).  Do you think the headers and footers are 30% of the documents?  It does not sound right to me. 
do you have any theories on why line counts are
x
dropping line counts too
Seems like ever since that conference call reassuring us everything was wonderful ... that everything is NOT.
FOCUS LINE COUNTS ARE OFF
Hope everyone is aware that on some accounts at Focus MTs are not getting paid for our header any longer even though we are told to again fill in the demographics.  Did a line count check today and found a discrepancy and the explanation from the office tech team was the client asked us to change that!!!!!  Bout fell out of my chair.  Tried to explain that if I type it, I get paid for it and being paid for headers and footers was in the original agreement wth Focus.  Good Grief.  Wonder how long this has been going on????  We all better start watching our lines more closely but I am looking for another company that doesn't pull this #%$^, NOW. 
Line counts have always been off. Can you say rip-off, I knew you could.
This was the first place I had ever done this particular platform, EditScript, so all I knew that it seemed I could work 12 hours be lucky to make $50. I later figured they must not pay for footers, headers, spaces..NOTHING.. as I went onto another company and made in 2-3 hours there what took me all day at Focus. They outright lie to people about the money they will make and they also penalize your whole check for errors, which of course, are QA'd by Indian MTs. I guess if I lived in India $50 a day would be okay, but we're not there so we shouldnt have the same wages. They are the worst!!!
TransTech Line Counts

I thought it was necessary to follow up the posts regarding line counts.  This was explained in detail yesterday from the company.  It just goes to show that questions such as these should be directed to the office rather than complaints issued here.  I think it tends to create a negative view of a company undeserving of such. 


Just wanted to clarify.  They really are 1 in a million. 


 


Transtech line counts
There is a 25-30% difference between what the Word counter and what Dictaphone says.  It's a difference NOT to our advantage.  Keep track; you'll see.
What are your average line counts and
how much of line count loss do you feel you have experienced on ExText?