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Chartscript/SHorthand question - Posted By: BarkerMT

My company is switching from an offline platform to Chartscript next wednesday. Does anyone here know if ShortHand works with Chartscript? I am aware the Chartscript comes with a built-in expansion program; however, I am shy at the idea of programing all of my shorthand into another program. Not to mention that I just paid to renew my subscription to SH. Perhaps someone has had luck with importing their data from SH to chartscript's EXP.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sasha~

regarding elder care question below (sm) - Posted By: playing Devil's Advocate

How many of us middle-aged children expect our children to take care of us when we get older? Do we expect them to take care of us to the extent that, if we haven't made provisions for long-term care, they've had to sell all our our possessions and property and are now having to think about selling their own home in order to keep us out of a nursing home? This is just my opinion, but I don't expect my children to have to give up absolutely everything (time, money, etc.) in order to care for me if I'm in such a condition to require 24-hour nursing care. I wouldn't like it, would probably fight tooth and nail, but if I were to that point I would expect to go to a nursing home to be taken care of and not be a burden (what I would feel I was) to my children.

I need some advice on starting my own small side business. sm - Posted By: inquiring mind

First of all, I have worked for several nationals in the past few years, and equipment has always been provided. I currently have a f/t position with a national that I use my own personal computer for, they just put their software on it. I had what I needed already, as far as foot pedal, Expander program, etc.

I have just been sort of rolling ideas around in my head about possibly starting up something small perhaps on a p.r.n. basis just to bring in a little extra income. As I am still just mulling this around in my mind, my questions are: How do I go about getting started? Do I try to purchase equipment first, or start out using tapes? I am worried about spending the money and not having any takers, so I am thinking, I should send out some sort of letters first; but, without having the equipment already, how do I tell them I plan on doing their transcription. Maybe mention tapes first, and tell them I have plans to go digital after I get up and running? These are all just things I wonder about. If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to email me with any advice.

I have been an MT for 16+ years, but as I said, I have always had all of the stuff provided for me and just don't know how to start.

Thanks in Advance!

How many of you use a Laptop solely for work? nm - Posted By: me A MT

xx

Working for a national, do you ever feel you can't ask for - Posted By: ICMT

an increase in pay because you're concerned you'll price yourself right out of a job?

I make 9 cents a line IC. I get my line count pumped up to where I want by hard work on the accounts I'm working. I get pretty efficient in that account and then I get pushed to different work where I have to start all over again and work really hard to make a decent line count. It's seemed to happen again, so I'm thinking about requesting a pay increase but then I start thinking that I'm already at a "better than most" pay from what I've seen posted here and elsewhere. What do you think? I'm interested in opinions if anyone will share. Thanks.

I make decent money at my - Posted By: current MT job, but . . .

I just feel like a cog in a machine, unappreciated, unnoticed. I work for a hospital. I have also felt this way working for large services. I would like to feel that my time and services are valuable and appreciated, but I just don't seem to feel that way.

Don't feel too badly MQ folks. Another large SM - Posted By: Flora

company soon to initiate docking for errors. Whether these errors exist or not. These may be style guide errors. It seems the latest version of said style guide contains a lot more pages than the original version which was, perhaps 80 pages long.

Yes, I'm quite sure these companies are only concerned about quality transcription and not the bottom line.

Shorthand question - Posted By: OBXMT

If you want to save an area of text to Shorthand, how do you do this without having to type it directly in the program? In other words, can I highlight the text I want to add from Word and press some sort of shortcut key for this?

Thanks for all your help!!!

Express Scribe ?'s - Posted By: MTinme

Since I updated to v 4.17 I have to move my mouse to get the audio to play after I tap my pedal, which means I have to take my hand off the keyboard and it slows me down. Anyone know what would cause this? Is there a fix?

Also, I want to increase the column width that has my file names. I was able to drag and drop the width with my old version. I can't do that and I have been unsuccessful at finding another way.

TIA for any help!

Need tips for remembering - Posted By: Lucy

Does anyone have any good tips on how to remember things after looking up a definition &/or spelling while working. It seems the information is more fluid with me, and I find myself looking up the same thing on different days (to make sure it fits in the area dicated or whatever). I have always been a bit on an ADD type and have trouble retaining things I read.

I even have trouble when proofing, because I will not remember hearing/typing something at the top of the report (by the time I get to the bottom) and feel the need to verify by relistening to that part. It seems to go in one ear and out the other. I'm sure this sucks a fair amount of my time when added up.

Any effective technique hints will be greatly appreciated.

QA Help: Earlier I transcribed a report where - Posted By: Dazey

the doctor used a really offensive curse phrase. He was actually quoting what the patient said (ER report). He said place this in quotes. It was a really ugly thing to say (mother F word). Even though it's in quotes as what the patient apparently said, I felt uncomfortable actually transcribing it. And believe me I'm no prude. I've heard it all (and said some of it). However, it just seemed really unprofessional and not appropriate in a medical document. It's not like it was a psych report. In fact, it really had no relevance whatsoever, in my opinion, but I could be wrong I guess. So, I left a blank. But now I'm thinking, was that really not my call? Should I have just transcribed it? What would any of you out there have done? QA? What do you advise in cases like this? It's happened before but never as filthy as this.

this applies to MT, right? (link for financial assistance) - Posted By: MTbucket

link: http://www.doleta.gov/programs/factsht/taa.cfm

something has to be done to help people losing jobs to foreigners...

it says you need 3 or more workers to apply...

also, it aint going away, ladies:

Other projections include:

10 percent of U.S. technology jobs will have moved offshore by 2005 (Gartner Group)
up to 25 percent of traditional IT jobs will be relocated from developed to developing countries by 2010 (Gartner Group)
500,000 financial services jobs (8 percent of all U.S. jobs in banking, brokerage and insurance) will be shipped overseas by May 2008 (AT Kearney)

Need help on word board, please. TIA nm - Posted By: Help??

EXText experts, I need some help (sm) - Posted By: Debbie

My text is running off the page to the right. I keep adjusting the View in Word, but as soon as I utilize the Alt functions, it defaults back (text running off the page to the right). IT guy said he never saw anything like this before, tried uninstalling and reinstalling EXText without change. I uninstalled Word and then reinstalled Word, still no help. Any suggestion? Please feel free to e-mail me. I would be extremely appreciative.

Thank you, Sheri. - Posted By: I appreciate your candor.

There is so much subterfuge and backstabbing with some of our jobs these days, that it is rare and refreshing to have someone come and explain their views in a professional and thoughtful manner. You are right, I guess it is inevitable that offshoring is here to stay...it just makes me feel really sad when I see what has happened to our industry. We never did really receive the recognition that we deserve for the complexity of our profession and now, any faint remainder of dignity is completely gone. I am just downhearted about the whole state of affairs. Where does one go after wasting 30 years of one's life in a dead-end job? I'm tired of fighting for the respect that never did materialize after all....

"Skedaddle." A highly technical term. - Posted By: CrankyBeach

" ... but when she feels the urge, she really needs to skedaddle."

I haven't heard that word in YEARS--and that's probably the first time in 37 years I've gotten it in medical dictation!

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working multiple companies - Posted By: KANN

For those you who work a full-time job plus a part-time job for a different company, are you using one computer for both? I thought maybe I should buy a second computer???

Need advice...sm - Posted By: blondie_1147

I am currently working for a company part time. I have never complained as long as I could get to work at least enough to get in about 20 hours. Well it has gotten to the point I cannot even get that. I am not making any money. I have been on this account for 1-1/2 years and I hate to leave. Am I likely to run into this at any company as an IC? I only worked about 11 hours last week. I guess what I am asking is if I quit and go elsewhere am I likely to run into the same problem at some point not even able to get 20 hours. Is this something that happens to IC MTs? And it picks up later. I have only been doing this for 1-1/2 years so I don't know what to think. I would be glad to work more than 20 hours but I don't complain as long as I get 20. But not even 20 is just no money. What should I do?

Taxes lost due to offshoring - Posted By: MTan

Just curious. Does our country in any way benefit from wages paid to offshore MTs when so much is being offshored these days. Would our government not be better off getting their tax dollars from US salaries. Perhaps I am missing something here. As I said, just curious about this.

how much per line - Posted By: curious

do you make, those of you who make 50, 60, 70+K/year. How much do you make per line? Or do you get paid per page? I'm just curious. Thanks for the info.

What is the best music download site. Need to - Posted By: techie challenged

be able to burn CDs too. We don't have iPods.

Tried iTunes - liked it, but since we don't have Apple products not sure it will work for us.

Tried Wal-Mart - liked it, but songs are only good for 30 days unless you burn. I like to burn, but usually have that CD in the car and like to play off the computer too.

Various others that have a monthly fee charge additional $$ if you burn to CD and then if you discontinue the service supposedly all MP3 files are rendered inactive.

We range from 11 to 48 and like a variety of music, also like something user friendly.

I need a chart where they list all the services and the pros and cons of each.

Macro to Search Google from Microsoft Word? - Posted By: LBB

I found one on the net, but when I pasted it in, it would not work.

My version of Word is Word 97. Thanks.

Cardioscribes/Mediscribes and Newbies! - Posted By: cmt08

I am new to the world of transcription and I know how hard it is to find a job out there. Hang in there. I finally got a job with cardioscribes and they are wonderful. They have been about as patient as one can be with a brand new employee! AND they are getting so many new physicians wanting to jump on board that there is going to be gobs of work. So all I can say is have patience when waiting for a call from them. It may take her a bit to get everything together and give you a call, but with the way they treat their employess, it is well worth the wait!

I'm looking for a good, easy to follow diet, - Posted By: not hard on the wallet. sm

Throw me some suggestions. I've tried Weight Watchers but always felt like I was starving, so that's out. I tried counting calories but always went over the limit. Anybody with any good ideas? I need to knock off about 30 pounds.

OSi ad at http://forum.mtstars.com/main/v/1/27125.html - Posted By: just me

Did you do something to them to tick them off? LOL They are really acting very unprofessional.

those of you who do op reports - Posted By: ER MT

I checked archives but didn't find much info - I don't do many op notes, and therefore don't have many reference books. Do you use Google or could you recommend a really good book for me to get? Thank you in advance.

chat room - Posted By: newtothescene

Hi,

Wondering if anyone wants to get together in the chat room. LOL, that sounds a little scary. No seriously, I am always looking to see if anyone is in the chat room and never a person there. Anyone interested in meeting in there for some chatting?

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.

New Dell, need XP, have a new one but - Posted By: Questions, questions here

I just ordered a new Dell this past Friday. I have a brand new, never opened reinstallation disc for an XP and knew I needed XP but thought, well I can use that one (belongs to my husband who got XP already on his brand new computer). I am now hearing from my computer guy that the new disc will not work, configurations, etc., etc. Should I just go ahead and call Dell and ask them to install the XP, would that be the best thing for me right now or what? Can you even buy XP anymore in the stores or ?

Anyone else have this experience? - Posted By: Lilly

This past week one of 60+ doctors I transcribe for took three of his at-home Transcriptionist to lunch. Granted, he also took 3 receptionists, 3 nurses and his wife; but something like this seems unheard of in this business. Just wanted to share this unusual experience.

AI - I think Elliott is history tonight-NM - Posted By: NM

NM

CT of head - No significant collecting system dilatation?? - Posted By: Huh??

Is the radiologist going to sleep here or is there collecting system structures in the brain (such is vessels)?

Thanks in advance!

stainless steel appliances... - Posted By: dcc

i've seen it posted before on this board but can't find it- what is a good way to keep stainless steel appliances clean and shiny? (other than not being in the same room with them)

do i have to purchase something or is there something i can make? i thought i read something that included baking soda to make a paste....?????TIA

Antivirus programs sm - Posted By: typhoid mary

On my personal computer, I seem to have picked up some kind of virus. I keep getting popups all over the place and one of them is telling me that I have viruses and I should purchase their program to remove them, which I don't want to do because that program is likely a virus in sheep's clothing. I was running AVG (the free program) but apparently it did not stop whatever bug I picked up.

My questions are:
1. If I purchase an antivirus program (from Walmart or Staples, for example), will this remove whatever has already taken up residence on my PC?

2. What is the best virus program for the money on the market?

Thanks in advance!

Opinions on shortcut programs wanted - sm - Posted By: looking

I'm looking for something to replace this garbage ShortCuts for Windows.

In order of priority, I'm looking for something;

1. Easy to use.

2. Compatible with multiple programs.

3. Not terribly expensive.

Any opinions appreciated. I will be checking them all out.

possible dental lab job? - Posted By: kris

Has anyone out there in MT land ever worked as, I guess you would call it, a dental lab person? I have a possible job opportunity to do this, making dental appliances, etc. It seems to have a high turnover, as the job ad in is the paper a couple of times a year. The ad always says, "someone who is good working with their hands, likes arts&crafts". Wondering what info someone might have who has done this? Evidently the pay is pretty good at this dentist office, although I think it is piecework $17-25/hour.

WP help, please - Posted By: pkmt

Have to start working in WP from Word. I have version 12. How do I get the formatting to stick - such as when it opens, I do not want to see all the toolbars. Any WP-101 websites out there? I already have the production site. Thanks.

Need advice about contract - Posted By: Pammie

Any helpful hints or tips would be great (maybe a website, etc.). I have started working from home for a local doctor. He and I both were talking about a confidentiality agreement to protect me and him. He has a mom and pop (just he and his wife) family practice. I told him I would try to type up a contract for work and/or release of liability to protect his practice. I want him to know I am totally trustworthy and want to follow all HIPAA laws, regulations, etc. Does anyone know how to word a contractor's agreement between a doctor and a transcriptionist/biller/coder. I haven't started coding/billing yet but will in three months after I finish some schooling. Please give me any advice or direction. Thanks.

Any North Alabama Transcriptionists? - Posted By: KimG

I posted on the state board, but I don't think many people go to that board. I was just wondering if there any home-based transcriptionists near me. Thank you for your time.

Need some information about these 2 platforms... - Posted By: wise1

If you had a chance to work with Dictaphone Ex-Text, or Chartscript, which one would you pick?

New Job - Posted By: tynkerbelle

Hi. Where I am working is going to VR with Editscript. Sounds like a bunch of crapola what they are going to do to us, put us off an hourly wage plus incentive pay to only being paid incentive at half of the rate we make now, but the union contract runs out in July 2010, so I have until then to get my financial affairs in order. I cannot believe what the services offer out there. I actually ran into one that paid you for every character you type. So if was a normal or a word Expander you would get paid for the actual keys you typed, not actually was on print on the page. so if you typed "the patient" as "tp" you only got credit for those two key strokes not the whole two words. normals were paid by the Keystrokes actually used too. Needless, to say better to stay put than go there. I am tired of being outsourced and tired of being gyped.

After years of drinking diet drinks, I am off Nutrisweet, Splenda, etc. due to health reasons..sm - Posted By: anon

but I really don't want to drink sugar drinks/juices and cannot stand water! Does anyone have any drink suggestions? I am at a loss. TIA

When does school start in your area? sm - Posted By: Georgia gal

August 14th here in Cobb County and I can't wait to get the kids out of the house then

For anyone who has ever done direct deposit, why does it sometimes come right away in the morning an - Posted By: countryMT

odd but I have never done DD so dont really understand how it is routed through the fed and the bank.

Radiology report rate - Posted By: HomeMT

Before taking a radiology transcription position with a transcription company, I searched the archives to see if I could find an average rate per report for radiology. I found all kinds of rates that are being paid, but I thought that $1.40 per report was probably the average. The rate I accepted was $1.10 per report.

I have 24 years of experience in many different specialties. About half of my experience has been in acute care and the other half in radiology.

So far with this new job I have realized that about half of the dictators are OK while a couple of the ESLs take their voice away from the Dictaphone, especially at the ends of sentences. I spend time listening over and over to get those last two words! I've been wondering if I sold myself short.

I'd love to hear opinions from other MTs regarding radiology rates per report, with experience, yet new to company. I would also be grateful for any advice about the dictators who move away from the recorder (or loudly flip films during their dictation).

TIA

WHY do companies say they hire QA from within? Do - Posted By: sm

they not understand that MT and QA are two completely different positions, and that if an MT wanted a QA position, she would've applied for it in the first place? This has got to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. Rather than hire someone with 10+ years of QA experience, you'd rather 'promote' an MT to become a newbie QA & have to train them from scratch how to QA? Or make someone who's been a professional QA for years become an MT again, when the reason they became a QA in the first place probably had to do with their hands giving out?! Again, it's not a promotion -- it's a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT JOB. Sometimes I wonder if the people in charge of making these decisions have any MT experience at all. <end of rant>

I HAVE GOT TO VENT THIS BECAUSE THIS MAKES ME SO MAD! - Posted By: mt

Just typed about 5 minutes worth of dictation and the guy changes his mind completely and tells me to start ALL OVER AGAIN! THIS IS NOT RIGHT! I DON'T WORK FOR FREE!

This doc keeps blowing wind/nose hairs/boogers out his nose - into the microsphone - and - Posted By: slurping his saliva every 1-1/2 seconds (sm)

sounds cool, huh?

I am physically nauseated! 3 hours of this. gag

Add to that he can't say *our* alphabet so even though the hospital THINKS the docs are spelling the names, he wasted his time and mine. and when I get it wrong -- until I get the hospital to listen --- they will think I'm the *blank* one. (the board stopped me from posting/ said stup*d is not allowed here so you know what I'm saying - isn't that odd, I can't refer to my own self as that, hmmm)

He can't say NUMBERS. Getting the drug doses is a joke. Even the names of the drugs is like mystery science.

He says wrong months, days of the week. If he's meaning to say May, he may say April.

If he's meaning to say 17 he may say 15.

You can hear the disdain in his voice when he dictates on women - I guess in his world there truly is no respect for women and you can really hear it when he's doing the dictation.

But the constant blowing - and clearing his throat - trying to dislodge that tickling nose hair I guess and slurping that yucky saliva has me just about ready to quit transcribing RIGHT NOW. .

Today I did make myself a promise. I have been a good girl for 30+ years, held my anger deep in my ugly Wal-Mart pocketbooks. When I retire in January and I know I will never have to turn on another computer or transcribe another medical dictation............I'm gonna go to the hospital ......maybe go sit in on GRAND ROUNDS FOR THE LAST TIME.......and BLAST THEM. I'll do it or bust a gasket. Just watch me.

Let's talk money. - Posted By: Alicia

Hi. I need some advice from experienced MTs. I have been working for a transcription company online but I am debating whether to offer my services to a few local doctors, without the middleman. Has anyone here done that? Do you have an idea what kind of price I should throw out there? I know the MT company was paying me 7-8 cents a line, but I don't know how much they were charging the doctors. Any advice would be appreciated.

recent graduate - Posted By: Nora

I just finished school back in Nov. of 2005. I've been looking and looking for a job online and still have had no luck. The only response I seem to get bac from anyone is that I don't have enough experience. Does anyone have any pointers on what I should I do, or how I should approach this field? Please help me!!! I don't know what to do anymore!!