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My husband is in withdrawal. We were on vacation last week and he missed the final 2 episodes!! sm - Posted By: Jack Bauer wanna be

Is there any kind soul out there who recorded it on either VHS or DVD who could send me a copy???? I would pay shipping! He wants to go on ebay and "buy" it, but I told him that one of these kind ladies from mtstars will help him out!

I personally have never seen the show. We were in another state visiting MY family and bless my husband's heart - I remember where we were last Monday night - sitting in my aunt's living room in the middle of no where in Oklahoma. Poor guy. He was so kind and nice, but I bet the whole night he was really upset because he knew he was missing THE SHOW of the decade! I had no clue this was going on....LOL

Any takers?????

what did you think of the Six Feet Under - Posted By: season finale? I was disappointed.

It seemed a little rushed at the ending. I was also expecting to cry or get emotional or get shocked like I usually do. It was very mundane and the ending was rushed. Looks like everyone died exactly the same way, except the gay boyfriend.

working for DBS - Posted By: looking for more

Anyone out there w/experience or knowledge about working for Domenichelli Business Services? Looks interesting. Trying to broaden horizons.

is there such a thing as a cell phone with pre-paid minutes, - Posted By: sm

and no monthly bill? A couple years ago i heard one was being developed, and yet, at least here in the middle of the country, have yet to see such. I would like to have a cell phone for emergencies or very occasional use, but can't go for the monthly bill...

Katrina in Mississippi/Alabama - Posted By: Dano

Does anyone know of contacts in Mississippi/Alabama that are needing help for their people who have lost everything? We chose to donate cash to the Salvation Army. By the time I got around to cleaning out my closets, neither the SA or ARC were taking clothing donations and I'm one of those people who is very bad about buying things and then never wearing them so much of the stuff has tags still attached, not exactly junk. Now that it's gathered up, I'll just donate it to our local Helping Hands but would like do whatever we can do to help the people of Miss/AL in particular. It seems they are the "forgotten refugees." At least in our area, we see very little about them but did see a news clip last night that looked like they were as devastated as NO, if not more so. Surely they need help too? TIA for any info.

Why in the world is this crazy board so addicting? - Posted By: sm

Anybody know? I am spending more time on here than I am working! What is wrong with me?

Opinions please - Posted By: anon

I have been working for a small MTSO for over 3 years. My current pay scale is .0675 per gross line. This company recently merged with another company and I just received a new contract to sign changing the pay scale to .08 per 70 character line. Can some of you math experts out there tell me if this is actually a *raise* as they say, or if this is a cut in pay? and also, would you sign the contract and stay??? I may need to reconsider my options.

Just had a dictator say Happy New Year. at least 1 person sm - Posted By: justme2

knows there is a person at the end of the line. ');>

Dizziness/vertigo -- sm - Posted By: Patti

When I went to my doctor for dizziness/vertigo he told me that one of the most common indicators of heart attacks in women was a symptom of dizziness. It did not turn out to be that but it alerted me to watch for simple symptoms that could indicate a larger problem. I did have some fluid behind my TM's caused by allergies and Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray used at night helps me a lot as the dizziness was the worse in the morning. When in question check with the doctor.

Sitting - Posted By: Tami

I have a bad back, if I go to school for medical transcription, is there any way to cope with prolonged sitting? WHat kind of chair do you use? What do you do?

Another funeral question... - Posted By: not poster below :)

Any suggestions for different/easy foods to take to widowers? I know when we have had deaths in my family, we are overwhelmed with cold cuts, and the widow works at the bread factory, so I'm sure she's good with that! I need to go over there tomorrow, so whipping something up would be in the midst of working, and that's why it needs to be something relatively easy. I appreciate suggestions.

Seems like everybody's passing nowadays. :(

Decent line rate question...... - Posted By: Wondering

I have been a MT for 16 years with acute care experience in all specialties. I have also covered various clinic specialties also. The hospital I type for at home is gradually moving everything over to EMR. We will be losing ER reports in June, with discharges to follow thereafter and so forth. We have a couple girls who work the ER notes who are extremely fast so once they are pulled off ER's and start typing the other reports, we will be low/out of work a lot. I have started looking for a supplement to this job and I have had lots of responses and offers. My problem is that I make 11 cpl on a 60-character line for this hospital. All offers I have had thus far are for 8.5 cpl then going to 9 once off QA. This is an acute care position. I also was offered a clinic position with one doctor. They pay 7 cpl and will move me to 8 once off QA. 8 cpl is the maximum they will go. I know there just isn't a company out there that will pay me what I'm making now, but is 7-9 cpl the norm? I just hate thinking of taking this much of a cut. Any information you can provide will be appreciated. Thanks

Taxes again! - Posted By: Pat

Thanks so much for all the good info on taxes! You "guys" are great! What a wonderful source of information over the years on everything--not just transcription. Thanks again all who answered me. You have been a great help.

Question for traveling laptop workers - Posted By: gimpyMT

When staying in a hotel with a desk and internet connection to work, where do you put your keyboard? Anyone have any suggestion for a portable table to use that is the right level. The desks are too high.

Thanks!

asr funny - Posted By: mini-haha

Dictated: The patient's insurer will be contacted.

ASR: The patient's Ensure will be contacted.

If you think that can be done, I have some Bosco that would like to talk to you.

Question sm - Posted By: MQMT

I really think my part-time job wants me to quit because they don't want to fire me because they would have to pay me unemployment. I am an IC and I would not think that they would have to pay unemployment. Is that right? It is just they have done everything in their power to make my job miserable and I need the extra money for Christmas and don't want to quit until after Christmas. Starting a new job right now would not be a good thing to do having to learn all the accounts, formats, etc. Thanks for any help in this.

Way off subject, but I need opinions... - Posted By: hope this doesn't get deleted...sm

What, in your opinion of course, do you consider being unfaithful to your spouse? I know this is a LOADED question, with many different opinions.

Is it having a full-blown affair (you know what I mean...we are adults here)?

Is it simply talking to/seeing someone without your spouse knowing, but not being intimate? Kissing, talking, becoming emotionally involved?

Do you think one must *go all the way*, to us a teenager's term, before it would be considered an affair?

I really need some help here...I'm going through a very hard time right now and need some support. I don't want to go into my personal details here, but just need opinions...thanks everyone!

any transcriptionists been disabled by - Posted By: CTS? see inside

I am an avid gamer and a MT. I'm only 30 and already my wrists get sore periodically. I'm wondering if there is a point where I will be disabled due to transcribing and difficulties with their hands and what to do to prevent it. TIA for replies

I am feeling so stressed by changes at my company, holidays, friends dying, - Posted By: Not a good day

not sure where to turn next. I really feel like I need to dump my whole situation and start from the beginning by doing a job where I am around people during the day instead of the curt phone calls from the office, and not having enough time to even talk or go out of the house to do anything. Why can't these companies have a little time to just say hello, thanks for a good job, or just something nice once in a while. Everything in the communication is negative, negative, and more negative. Team leaders are the pits, too. It is jusd do more, do more; they don't care if you are sick, and it means nothing to them to pile on more stress and more demands so they look good. They want you to work every day of the week, but they sure do take their days off, don't they.

Sciatica - small knots in calf muscles? - Posted By: Lisa

Sorry to keep asking sciatica questions but I am in terrible pain! Did anyone have small knots in their calf muscles, probably from the spasms pulling so hard on them? They are about the size of a fingertip. I felt a snap in that area when I was stretching last night, but it didn't hurt all that much, probably because my calf is relatively numb.

Does this sound like it could be a little snapped peice of muscle or do I have a tumor? (Always reminds me of Arnold in Kindergarten Cop "It's not a tumah"

font size - Posted By: cpl

When paid by cpl, does it affect your line count if you type in a size 10 or size 12 font?

TO HAYSEED, THANKS ABOUT THE TRACPHONHE, MY INTERNET WENT DOWN RIGHT AFTER YOUR REPLY. i WANT TO AS - Posted By: Lonnie

I looked up the site and it is cheap, I wouldn't need but for the times the internet goes down. Do you charge them? What happens if you don't use it a lot and then you need it and haven't used it in a long time. I couldn't find that iunformation on their site. Thanks!

Dragon Naturally Speaking - Posted By: Barry Watts

Does anyone know if Medquist allows you to install programs on their computers? I used to use Dragon Naturally Speaking for radiology and it worked really well after a lot of voice training. It was a lot quicker just repeating what the radiologist said and watching for errors, which were amazingly few and far between. It never worked well for medical reports, but was a godsend when I had to do radiology.

Hmmmm. So, India doesn't want Wal-Mart, but they want OUR jobs. - Posted By: What's wrong with this picture?

nm

DQS spell checker - Posted By: too funny

When you type "whre" instead of "where" when you spell check it the first word that comes up for a correction option is "whore." Wonder how many reports typed by some of our wonderfully accurate Medquist MT's made it through with the word whore in the report?

Help please with psych (sm) - Posted By: Praying

Switching from WP to "Word," need quick answer on how to avoid automatic numbering as will be using Psych Dx with Axis I, Axis II, etc., how do I do this without numbers "popping up" all over the place? Also, is there a word list or med list for psychiatric only? I am testing for a new acct. in the morning and petrified. I am experienced in the field but don't want to appear like a dunce on my testing due to lack of knowledge of "Word". Don't know which version they are using either. Please answer on board or by e-mail and I shall be forever greatful. Praying.

Anyone do Psych? - Posted By: TravelinMT

Do you have any websites you recommend specific to psych meds, term, etc?

my first week on my own - Posted By: michelle

Wow. I started with two companies at once which was dumb, but on is limited and pays better. Only thing is their software is the most unuser friendly thing and I can't seem to understand. I have to download the voice files from their site, transfer that name -DSS onto the text name, type the reports in Word and transfer them over too. It's ridiculous. Then I started with Infomatics which seems like a sweat shop. If i made $75 all week, it's a lot. They finally sent me a food pedal, and would you believe it was defective? I've used either hot keys or the screen on the monitor. Takes 4 hours to do a 20 minute job, no joke. They are like a sweatshop. Got offer from Ameriscribe but don't want to work weekends. I ran my own service, apparently from the stone age, and this is really a hard transition. The typing is easy if I had a footpedal and with the other company could understand their stupid, stupid software! HELP!

Keystrokes Definitions for EXText - Posted By: Snow Bunny

Control A

Allows you to edit the copy (CC) list. We don�t use this usually in this capacity as the CCs are predetermined by the attending physician�s profile. However, if the dictating physician wants a physician added and you don�t know how to spell the name, you can Control A and enter the 1^st letter of the last name plus a question mark i.e., A?. Al the physician�s with A as the beginning of the last name will come up. I use this quite often to confirm spelling of physician names.

Control B

Bold

Control C

Copy. You can highlight any text in any document and Control C to import it to a new document or duplicate it in an existing document.

Control F

Opens Word�s Find screen, which allows you to search the document for text, formatting, special characters, etc. You may also access Find and Replace from this screen.

Control G

This allows you to change the routing for the report, which has been set up by the profile. For example, when you leave a report for review, you would Control G and remove all the routing with the exception of Transcription Department. That would allow it to print only here and nowhere else until we have completed the report. Once you have printed the report with the new routing, the default routing reappears.

Control H

Puts a document on hold. If you were transcribing a report and could not quite understand the physician�s H&P, you can Control H and then search for another H&P by that same physician to review.

Control J

Brings the TES screen up. This comes in handy when you are typing a report, choose a date of transcription from the list of dates, and then find that the dictation is for another date. Control J will bring up the TES screen, you then place a ? mark in the visit box and all of the visit dates for that patient will be displayed. You can then select the correct visit date for which the physician is dictating.

Control N

Saves, spell checks, and distributes documents.

Control O

Opens a document that has been put on hold.

Control P

Pause session.

Control Q

Exits ExText without saving the document.

Page 13

Control R

Brings up any normals established for the client from which you may choose.

Control S

Search for a document.

Control T

Cancels document without saving it. Sends voice back to pool.

Control V

Pastes any copied material to where you want it to go.

Control W

Changes worktype. When the TES screen comes up as an H&P and the doctor begins his dictation by saying he is typing an OP or Consult, you can make the change on this screen. However, if the doctor does not say anything about the work type and you begin typing, and then realize that the H&P is actually a consult, then you can Control W and it will bring up a list of templates. You identify the one you want, click on it, and it will import it into your document. This will also change your footer to be the correct work type. Remember to delete the original template from the document you are typing.

Control X

Allows you to cut something from one place and place in another place. Unlike Control C, it does not duplicate the material, just moves the original.

why are some of you women so cruel? - Posted By: seriously

There comes a point where we all kind of need each other, when we realize that for the most part, men are big dumb animals who do not know how to "be" there, which is what we essentially need. You as a female should be understanding and supportive when another one says how she is struggling as a "single mom." Women are so hateful towards each other when we're the only ones who make any sense on this planet! I know I sound like a man hater, but men can only do so much, and for those things I have a plumber and a maintenance man! Come on what happened to sisterhood!

1000 lines?? - Posted By: sm

Can someone please give me an idea of approximately how long it takes to type 1000 lines a day? I know it can vary depending on dictators, platforms, typing speed, etc., but I've never kept track of how many lines I do and would like an idea of how long this would take. It would be for clinic notes through MS Word. I type around 90 wpm with almost 10 years' experience. Thanks for any info!

Electronic word books work on flash drive? - Posted By: Brandi

Do any of yall use your electronic references on a flash drive? I have a laptop I use occassionally when I am traveling, but would prefer to not actually load the software on the laptop.

Have any of yall used them on/with a flashdrive?

Thank you!

Maternity leave? sm - Posted By: AJF

My husband and I are talking about having a baby, but I am an IC and I am looking for a job as an employee with benefits (mainly insurance since he is self-employed also and we have no insurance). How does maternity leave work with these larger national companies? Do you get paid if your out for a couple of months?

Thanks!

QA vs. VR editing - Posted By: inquiring minds want to know

Given your choice, which position would you pick, assuming the cpl rate was the same? Is QA a lot faster than VR editing? If so, what is the approximate lph range for either?

TIA

downloading free word program - Posted By: walk the dog

has anyone ever used open office to download word so a test can be taken? I rent a computer from my company and I know I probably should not do this. My question is would they know if this is being done? Thank you.

Barely working 20 hours a week...sm - Posted By: blondie_1147

I have worked for this company for over a year now. I love the account. I love the work. I am used to it and don't want to think about going elsewhere but I am not making squat I don't get paid by the hour I was just letting you know that is the amount of time I am getting to work due to the fact there is not enough work. I have never been able to get full time work here but more that this. I don't know whether to stick it out or look elsewhere. I only have 1-1/2 years exp so I don't have a lot of options with less than 2 years exp. I don't know what I should do. I have asked about a secondary account, but they said they don't need help on any of their other accounts. Anyone else in this boat? What to do?

EMDAT question - Posted By: Snow Bunny

Is there a way to import the Word AutoCorrect entries into EMDAT? If so, how?

Don't get hung up with the golden handcuffs. (SM) - Posted By: WARNING

It is so easy to convince yourself you cannot make as much money at a different company or on a different account, or never find anything better, so you stay where you are, taking all the abuse in the world. In management, this is called the Golden Handcuff, and they rely on it to keep the same employees, never give a raise, never give respect, and just continue to walk all over you.

In this profession you are very mobile if you can transcribe at all. It may take a month to get used to a new system, a new account, or whatever, but your self respect is worth it in the end. There are a lot of companies out there that actually do appreciate employees, and it certainly does not seem to be any of the companies who are mentioned frequently on these boards.

I changed jobs about a month ago, thought I would never learn, but in a week I was making far more with a small MTSO than I ever did with a large company. Treat yourself to a new beginning and a new year.

Good thing I proof read LOL - Posted By: Kaydie

I was just proofreading my reports before I send it and instead of typing that the lady hit her head on a window, I typed she hit her head on a widow. Ha Ha. I thought to myself - hope they weren't on the way to the funeral. Okay, having way too much fun here.

Adapator for 15pin to USB - Posted By: looking

I have a 15 pin footpedal, but my new computer is USB ports only. Is there an adapator you can buy that goes from 15 pin to USB?

Need advice on beginning MT Business - Posted By: MTWI

Hi.

Was at my chiropractor's office today. As the conversation progressed Dr. suggested that I might be able to get involved with their office doing MT work. Offices in five states, new doctors that become busy need MTs to do their transcription. I have owned my own business in the past and understand the in's and out's of that part of it.. My question is how would I set up a platform to do the work in case it would become busy enough to need another MT to help, software, expanders, etc. I have a few very simple ideas like using MS Word and creating macros that can be sent to aother MT, etc. but not sure that is what I would do.

Is there anyone out there with any suggestions or ideas?

Wow - Talk about timing! I just saw a clip from - (sm) - Posted By: My 2 cents (per line?)

Michael Moore's latest movie, "Sicko". This time he takes in the inequity and outright greed in the healthcare industry in the U.S. Sure, some of it is bound to be a bit sensational, like when he takes a bunch of U.S. 911-first-responders down to Guantanamo, but I'm sure there will be many aspects of this movie that will bring other aspects of healthcare besides just going to see a doctor into the public eye. He had some insiders talking in the movie, too. That's one I'm going to have to see! If ever there were a time to state our case, this just might be it.

Okay, I've got a habitual problem - Posted By: Getting older

I worked for a hospital for 9 years with no expander. Now I use IT. I've noticed that even using the Expander for my headings, I am still in the habit of hitting the CapLock key, then my next line under the header is also in caps. This is truly aggravating me. Anybody have a good suggestion on how to take those 9 years and kick the habit? It slows me down, not to mention how steamed I get when I do this TIA.

Again I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs - Posted By: losing patience

and waiting for some work. I started with this company about six months ago and was told I would do a number of reports per day. Well that has not happened. Most of the day I spend waiting for work, and I am not making any money while sitting here. I notified the company about a week ago that I need more work and they are supposedly looking into it, so my question is how long should I wait? Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you handle it? Thanks in advance.

Administrator, I keep sending an email address to be able to post a resume and I never get a respons - Posted By: PAMT

:

Any dental transcriptionists out there? - Posted By: MMT

I transcribe all ops, and I have an oral/maxillofacial surgeon, but no samples on him. Is there anyone doing this type of transcription who might be able to send me a few good samples of dental surgeries?

Thanks.

Hi, any IC's that are paid on salary? or is this a reasonable pay I should ask for? - Posted By: Emily Ayn

My docs have now switched to a new platform, which does not utilize counting lines, which is how I am paid now. They suggested paying by time, but that would be irritating for me to have to keep track and multiply and do all sorts of other stuff by hand (rather than having software to do it).

I have thought about asking them to pay me on salary. I have been with them for 7 years with no raise. NO RAISE EVER. Seven years this September, and I have made between 25 and 28 thousand dollars each year with them.

I am thinking of asking for $36,000 a year and was wondering how reasonable that is. I get absolutely no benefits from them and in turn, have to pay my own health insurance, retirement, taxes, etc. (so really it would be about 24K a year).

Any advice? thanks so much

Is there line counting software that sm - Posted By: CALIJ

will allow you to chose gross lines BUT also let you say that no line can be longer than a set amount of characters? So in other words if my clients lines are set so long and small that 95 char are on each line but my contract reads a line shall be no more than 65 characters, the software can pick up both gross lines over 5 characters and gross lines no longer than 65 characters???

Am I being clear? Anyone know of invoicing/counting software that can do that?

Thank you.

totally off the subject - Posted By: porr

Hello,

Does anyone have or have heard of men going online to chat with women from those "dating" websites? if so what's your take on it. do you think they are really trying to hook up or just "playing".

I was told it was a "MAN" thing and everyone does it (i guess all men) I was told that the reason for doing it is to see how far they can get, to see what these women would fall for. I don't buy it. but I am just curious how many people out there are doing this

porr

Just a comment about an article - Posted By: sm

in our local newspaper. All the hospitals in the county are going to EMR (electronic medical record) by 2011. They are putting all records on computer and state the hardest, most time consuming is the history and physical to put on EMR. I guess this means the end of MT around here! A friend of mine works for one of the hospitals as an MT and she has been abstracting instead of MTing to help put the most important facts on the EMR. Time to think about another career.