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Another topic that might be addressed

Posted By: CrankyBeach on 2009-03-20
In Reply to: another letter that I'll share if anyone wants to copy (long). - offshoring concerns

in this context would be the potential for identity theft. I am sure that if I, without a larcenous bone in my body, could think of the following scenario, others could too.

Suppose an unscrupulous overseas MTSO "contracted" with an ID theft ring in the US to supply names and SS numbers harvested from medical records.

This MIGHT have already happened to me; there's no way to know for certain. But last August, I went to the local GI clinic for "that procedure" that they recommend for everyone over 50. I used my credit card for my copayment, of course.

I happen to know from my local MT contacts that this practice offshored its work to India a few years ago.

Not too long after my procedure, I received several dubious "male enhancement vitamin" products in the mail. Huh? And then my credit card was charged for the products. Since I didn't order them, the credit card company reversed the charges. The identity thief was too stupid to actually change the mailing address, in addition to thinking that the "vitamins" would perform as advertised. (Anybody want 'em? I still have them. I wasn't going to pay to ship them back, no way.)

The timing of this COULD be sheer coincidence... but it's just a little suspicious to me. My credit card number was stolen from SOMEWHERE.

This town is small enough that if my local congress-critter (and his wife) have had "that procedure," they probably had it done at the same practice where I did.... I do believe I shall write him a letter; but I will have to compose it in words of one syllable or less, because he is really, really stupid.


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was the post addressed to YOU?....sm

Have you got a life, yourself, by the way? 


One from MQ, and in it a letter addressed from the lawyers
I am just afraid the rug is going to be yanked completely from under us, and I have no plan B.  The changing of management, no raises, and losing accounts is nothing new, but my biggest fear is being sold and being at the mercy of a lower pay plan, worse rules, etc., i'm comfy where I am. 
Yup, I addressed this with the company I work for,
and they said they would crack down on it. But did they?
And mom isn't doing such a hot job of picking husbands, either. THAT should be addressed. nm
x
I also noticed that they *finally* addressed....sm
the issue of generic versus brand name drugs and state that generics should not be capped. One thing that drove me nuts, but nothing to back me up.
More about phrases as other poster addressed
Since the dictators seem to say the same thing in so many different ways, I have found I often have to add a a bit extra, and it would have been easier if I had thought of that when I first started making Expanders so I would have started right off being very consistent.

For an example CTDW, CSTDW, CDTDW = (respectively) continue to do well, contintues to do well, continued to do well. - It is amazing how many things will overlap or conflict.

Or, they will use a phrase with the word "or" or "and" in it AND without them ...
like, cyanosis, clubbing, edema ... and cyanosis, clubbing, and edema ... Or even worse, they flip the words around to clubbing, cyanosis, and edema.

So many dicators and so many ways of saying the same thing. That is what gets frustrating to me. It's endless.
It means I saw an email stating this, but it was not addressed to me.
nm
I justed attended a meeting and this was addressed
There are now computers that will be performing surgery. The medical field is changing in ways that are not good, according to the speaker, in that the younger physicians coming into the field are not comparable to physicians of yesterday, generally speaking. He thought it was a good direction, this computerized physician. He also did state that insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies have much to say about what goes on in the medical field (they have power/money).
Need to hook up a USB pedal to RealPlayer. I'm sure this has been addressed before. sm
I have a test wave file I need to play.  It runs fine from my desktop, but I can't get the pedal to work.  I have an Infinity In-USB-1 I just plugged into the hard drive, but it will not play the file.  Will this work wtih RealPlayer?  TIA.
Were STAT reports addressed in contract? sm
I had a doctor that did this same exact thing. He would procrastinate on doing reports, or just overbook himself so he never had time to dictate, and then when someone called wanting a report, he'd call me to see if I could do it ASAP. Of course, he didn't want to pay extra for this service, though. He would also call me night or day and expect me to drop whatever I was doing for other (better-paying) clients and do his "urgent" report. I go by the old saying that poor planning on his part does not make it an emergency on my part. I will do it for them IF I have the time and IF they pay a higher rate. Otherwise, I will not cater to this behavior because the poster above is right - they will continue to do it as long as you oblige. You have to be the one to set the boundaries. Get voice mail and caller ID if you don't already have and screen your calls. I found that sometimes just waiting a few hours before calling them back allowed them to calm down and realize it's not the end of the world, and they'd then say it was okay to get in by the next day or whatever. Sometimes it's not so much that it's a stat report in terms of the patient's need but that they need it to get paid, in which case they'll sometimes back down if you quote a higher rate or tell them you simply cannot fit it in right then. Same doc would pile me up with a week's worth of dictation and expect it all back in 12 hours, too, so it was an overall mentality with him that he wanted everything done NOW. It wasn't even humanly possible most of the time but try getting them to see that. You should have no social life, after all, and live to work! LOL

Good luck with that. I got rid of the client that did it to me. He felt I should be at his beck and call but argued the rate at every turn, and it wasn't that much to begin with so it wasn't worth the aggravation! Seems like the most demanding ones are usually the biggest cheapskates, too.
neither slow, nor stupid, but I think there are lots of variables that need to be addressed..
such as all the crap some companies want you to put into headers, cc's, etc., and make sure you know every word in the client's profile and check every day to see if anything changed - (of course, they don't PAY for time spent researching client profiles) - it's like "who's on first?"
Good things take time. (this is addressed to OP, BTW) My first 15 years or sm
so of MT was without the benefit of using an expander. When Expanders became the norm, I was reluctant to try, thinking that it would be more cumbersome than by not using it at all. Was I surprised and pleased I had ventured into the Expander world.

Since you're at home you can add entries on your free time, even if you do 5 or 10 at a time, when there is no pressure on you. Start out with expanders for "the patient," "-year-old," the names of your doctors, anything that is repetitious. You will be surprised how much time this will save you. My initial expander, PRD, actually calculated saved Keystrokes and productivity. Back then I was saving 30%!

The expander is especially helpful for those crazy terms that are hyphenated or have camel caps, those that I always had to look up to check myself. Create your brief form by just using straight lowercase, for instance, duoneb for Duo-Neb (or d-n).

Speed will come, don't worry. Good luck to you!

(Posted in the wrong place--I always do that!) This is in response to OP.


I think presenting a letter addressed to him and/or the office manager to submit to him is very
appropriate. That is exactly how I presented it as I was having a hard time thinking how to say and what to say. It was much easier to "plead my case" on paper. Go for it.
On the topic.......
I would certainly hope that any woman, young or old, has the common sense to wear what is most attractive on her. Of course, that doesn't always happen, but ya can't lump any group together by age, etc., and say that one particular style won't look good on all women in that particular group. We're all unique and what may look fine on you will look like hell on me. Or vice versa.

I'm a size 1-2-3, depending, and even though I'm almost 48, I do have to do most of my clothes shopping in juniors. Not all, mind you, but the majority. I hate to admit it, but I own shorts from the girls' rack (size 12). I also work out on a daily basis and have my natural brown hair. The makeup I own could be stored in a single small Glad bag with room left over. I wanted to switch from bikinis to one-pieces this summer, but friends told me that I would be crazy to do so.

I wonder......are you talking about someone like me?

Please think before ya post; you just might offend someone. :)
Off the topic but really need help with my dog. sm
My 7-month old little cocker was neutered on Friday. Overall, he is doing good, eating fine, drinking fine, up and around and in generally good spirits. The only thing we have had to do is give him Benadryl and 1/2 aspirin three times a day to keep his agitation level down since he was extremely off the wall the first 36 hours. He has one of those clear lampshade collars. Now, my question is, I would like to take the collar off since he can't scratch his ears or play with his toys-and he does love his toys. How on earth do I keep him from licking the surgical site? Does anyone have any good ideas? The aspirin is helping, but he still wants to lick. My son told me he used lots of vaseline with red pepper mixed in for his dog, but I'm afraid to try that. My luck he would get it in his eyes or in his sutures. I had a female years ago that was spayed, but never had a ounce of problems. She didn't lick once.
off topic...
I would say there is no such thing as "Somewhat unfaithful." That is like being a "little pregnant." SO, first just say it - your husband was unfaithful and you worked through it.

No, you do not have a right to feel angry and betrayed by your mother-in-law. You did not marry her nor she you. The 2 of you did not exchange vows. You have a right to feel hurt that she's having a relationship with the other woman and not you, but who she communicates with is her business. Now you know, mom-in-law is NOT your friend. Most mothers-in-law are not friends with their son's wives, so join the club.

You say your marriage is now stronger than ever - that's where your focus should be, not on your mother-in-law. Be cordial with her, but she's given you evidence of her true colors and you should not take her into your confidence again.


There is never a topic here (sm)
As far as comfort goes, I think it is great.  If the frame would make it higher, then that would be good for an older person as they would probably have a problem getting down on the floor.  (I know)
Along the same topic as below...

What do you find makes a man sexy? Is it his eyes? his smile? his ruggedness? his sensitivity? Or is it all of the above?


For me, it's all of the above.  I love a rough and rugged man, not a sissy man that's afraid of getting his hands dirty! Deep eyes that can see right through you...a smile that still looks like a child...and sensitive enough to cry over The Notebook...


Hey, that describes my husband to a T!!! Woohoo lucky me!!!


Off topic, but why...
did you take the "O" out of God? Just curious...odd to me that you would do that...no flame here, just an honest-to-goodness curiosity question
Trying to keep this topic near the top! sm

I wanted to do some research on the stuff we're discussing (offshoring), but unfortunately I cannot find recent information.  I googled "bills to stop offshorting" and came up with this article:


Markey Introduces Bill to Block Offshoring of Consumers' Personal Data


WASHINGTON, DC -- May 13, 2004 -- Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Co-Chair of the Congressional Privacy Caucus, today announced that he is introducing legislation to clarify the rights and responsibilities of companies, their regulators and consumers regarding the protection of privacy in global commerce.


Rep. Markey said, “It is becoming increasingly clear that both our jobs and our privacy are being shipped offshore, and federal regulators aren’t doing nearly enough to stop it. In effect, regulators are telling consumers to ‘check your privacy at the shore.’ The bill I’m introducing today will help stop this dangerous trend from continuing.”


The bill Rep. Markey introduced today, the “Personal Data Offshoring Protection Act of 2004” (HR 4366), would prohibit companies from transferring personal information to any person outside the United States without notice and consent. Specifically, the Markey bill:



  • Requires any business enterprise that transfers personally identifiable information regarding a US citizen, such as the citizen’s name, address, financial information, medical records, or other personal information to first provide prior notice to the citizen;

  • Requires such businesses to allow consumers to block (or “opt out”) of information transfers to any countries that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has determined provide adequate and enforceable privacy protections, such as the European Union (EU);

  • Requires such businesses to obtain the prior consent of the consumer (or “opt in”) before personal data can be sent to other countries that the FTC determines do not provide adequate and enforceable privacy protections;

  • Bars companies from refusing to provide goods or services to consumers who elect to exercise their “opt out” or “opt in” consent rights, or from charging consumers more if they chose to exercise such rights;

  • Provides for enforcement of the bill’s restrictions by the FTC by defining violations of the bill as a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act’s prohibition on unfair and deceptive acts or practices, thereby allowing the FTC to seek injunctions against violators and to impose financial penalties of up to $11,000 per violation;

  • Provides for additional civil remedies against violations, including authorization to the state attorney’s general to bring civil actions to enjoin violations and impose monetary penalties of actual monetary losses or up to $10,000 per violation, whichever is greater; and,

  • Provides a citizen whose privacy rights are violated with a private right of action to sue a business who has violated the act for actual monetary damages or up to $10,000 per violation, whichever is greater.

Rep. Markey noted that Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) recently introduced similar legislation in the Senate (S. 2312).


 


It is a few years old, but I thought someone might be able to use this as a place to start.  I also attend college and am going to try to use the school library resources to find out some more information.


Off topic
Did anyone seen the Today show this morning? I have seen and heard it all now.... The Ultimate Outsourcing- people going to India for surrogate mothers!!! OMG.... compared to about 80 grand they would pay here in the US, they would pay only 30 grand (This includes travel for the perspective parents to india).
Off your topic, but
x
On Topic
Well aware of that - just in a rush while typing - but thanks - so do you have an answer to my question?
Off topic -- but regarding the CMT behind your name, SM

what does this mean and what does one have to do to get it?  I am also a CMT and just wondered how this works.  You may email me if you want.  Thanks.


This is a different topic really and I don't
IMO, newbie MTs should not work on ASR. They typically do not have the knowledge base required, at least with regard to acute care, to be able to discern when what they are seeing and/or hearing is incorrect in the context of the report.

ASR editing requires a different skill set than straight transcription and new MTs need to focus on developing their knowledge base.

The problem is that the experienced, quality MTs that should be working on ASR and properly training the platform should never take the crummy wages wages paid for ASR editing. So the MTSOs have created a catch-22. They don't pay enough to attract quality MTs that will improve the quality of the ASR platform which would in turn improve production across the board so the settle for newbie or subpar MTs who will work for the measly pay they offer, but the quality of the ASR never improves or even gets worse, which slows production causing MTs to speed up to make more money and miss errors, which the ASR adopts as correct, etc., etc.,
The topic is about
whether or not one "can" or "should" transcribe in public. Was just pointing out that I cannot because of a written policy. I am very happy in my stable hospital work-at-home job thank you very much.
On the granparents topic..what would you do.sm

In our house, the kids have been raised that if they do something wrong then we should hear about it from them, not someone else.  This helps to foster responsibility and open communication so things can be discussed as the growth and get into mishaps of the ages.


Hubby's mother has always wtached the kids while we are on vacation.  This year I was a bit leary and so I made other plans, which he had a fit about it would hurt her feelings, blah blah blah.  I left STRICT instructions for my good friend to be called for ANY trouble with the kids as she is not known for being good at standing up to the kids...hence the worry with 3 teens.


Anyway, we get back from vacation, everyone is weird the first night we are home.  The kids all go off to school the next day and even weirder is that my MIL stays in her room until hubby is up.  THEN she comes out bawling and blubbering about how we should not be mad.  After 30 minutes of her crying jag it comes out my son was arrested while we were gone.  She did her ususal, no punishment, no in trouble of any kind and let him sit on his ass while suspended.  To top it all off, AFTER she leaves I find out he was suspended AGAIN only 3 days later and nobody bothered to tell me this...I am told by a daughter who informes me she waited for her bother to tell me or her grandmother as my son had thrown the origial mail to me away.  I just blew up..to say the least...suspended twice and arrested in 10 days....whole new territory to me and all she can do is cry about how we should not be mad at him and not to punish him.  Really?


Now, I REFUSE to let my children go there as I do not feel she has any idea what dangerous behavior is and even when she had the names and numbers of others to deal with any problems decided to hush things up and not use them.  To top it all off, SHE told my children not to say a word to us when we got back....basically having them lie to our faces when we asked how things went, etc. when we got back.  I am sooo furious I could spit.  Hubby cannot believe I will not let her have my children any more and says I am insane. 


I want other opinons if YOU would entrust your children to someone who pretends such activites did not happen and sweep it under the rug and break huge house rules of being truthful with the parents.  She pulled the "if you love me you won't tell your mom and dad" crap and do not feel she can be trusted with supervising teenagers for any time whatsoever.


Yes I am. That's what the original topic was, after all.
agree with you on the Nagin/Blanco thing. Did you want to change the subject?

I don't have tunnel vision.
You can usually tell by the topic whether or not it pertains to MQ.

Jumping in topic....
A third of my work is radiology and the rest is basic four reports.  I prefer doing rad because of the fast pace.  It's a small hospital with a rotating doctor and I do anywhere from 50 to 150 (this is not counting combined reports) reports a day which only takes a couple of hours of my day.  Would really like to do more rad but afraid of the committment it would mean.  Any suggestions?
off topic...need help with cat problem..sm
does anyone know of a good over the counter tape worm medication.  the cat has fleas and a tapework. I know the frontline is the best for fleas, but unsure of the tapeworm.  Thanks for any advice!
I think it means it's a hot topic -
been viewed a lot of times.
off topic, but bear with me here
would you be upset if your husband had been somewhat unfaithful in the past, but the two of you worked through your problems and sought counseling and now had a stronger marriage than ever?  except you didn't know for certain about the somewhat unfaithful part until after you had reconciled and renewed your vows?  but then you find out that your mother-in-law knew about the infidelity and preached to you about marriage and family without telling you the whole story?  because it was her son's place to tell me, not hers.  and now you find out that she is friends with this other woman and calls and emails her on a regular basis, which is more than she does with you?  do I have the right to feel angry and betrayed here?  or am I seriously just overreacting and freaking out about something that's in the past?
Off topic - please do not flame...
I will be moving to a smaller house (simplifying and paying off my mortgage in the process..yay!) and will need an Aerobed for guests. For those of you who own them, are they comfortable enough for an elderly person? I have seen some really high ones and see that you can now purchase a separate frame. Any thoughts? TIA.
Off Topic. Does anyone take Lexapro?

I was on it for generalized anxiety disorder and it worked great.  I felt like me minus the anxiety.  No side effects at all.  But I did some research about weight gain and so I stopped taking it.  I was only on it for one month and the weight gain supposedly starts to appear after a few months to a year.  And we arent just talking 5 pounds or so.  People are reported 30-50 pounds.


I would like to go back on it but I have been really good with my exercise routine and am really looking forward to fitting nicely into that bikini this summer.  I am torn. 


Anyone out there who takes Lexapro and has not gained weight????


why not start this topic? sm
Those who want to participate can and those who don't won't. The lady asked for help and advice not insults. Grand for you, you were smart enough not to put yourself there but this girl made a bad choice and her aunt is asking for some help, support and ideas.

Why be ugly about it?
I know this is off topic, but I just had to share with everyone that
$30,000.00 scholarship for her community involvement going back to 7th grade. She wrote a paper on how all people should get involved and make a difference in other peoples lives. I'm the proudest mom in the whole wide world! :D
Great Topic! sm
I use the basic sites:  Google, One Look, Rx List.  Here is another great word and equipment site that I saw posted on this forum:  www.eneel.com .  Here's an interesting site to search hospitals & nursing homes: www.zapconnect.com .

off topic, but still re: cats
How on earth do you keep a cat from getting on the hood of cars? My cat is five years old and only does it occasionally. For some reason it is always late at night. I can peek out the window and see him perched just as proudly on my car and--gasp--a time or two on a neighbor's car. I hate him getting on mine and I surely don't want him on anyone else's car. A couple of times that I've caught him on mine I hit the alarm from inside the house hoping to scare him enough that he'd be afraid of the car and never get on it again. No use. I only catch him every week or so. Any advice???
great topic
I worked for a company out of Ohio for a day. I had problems getting into their system on my first day but did what I could. I e-mailed her the problem and what needed to be transcribed yet, etc. She e-mailed me back and fired me along with a good butt chewing! Wow! Mind you this was day 1 and no orientation given on their part. I shrugged it off and moved on!
Here's the link to your topic...

 


       http://forum.mtstars.com/company/v/1/31498.html


      


Topic is now losing by 2%
Please go vote so others in this country might be made a little more aware of the problems outsourcing is causing this country!
figured it was a hot topic
just wasn't sure.  any other "secrets" I should know about?
Kind of off topic, but....
I worked for an attorney once, in his office, and he had a phone in the bathroom in the office.  He would go to use the bathroom and call me at my desk from the phone in the bathroom and have a conversation with me while dropping logs in the toilet!  He was ALWAYS calling me, non-stop, for everything, I mean it was demeaning!  So, then one day he was at his house and called the office and I happened to be using the restroom, so I didn't answer.  When I got back to my office he had already called probably 5 times and I was the only one there, so I answered and he asked me why I didn't answer.  I told him I was using the restroom and he told me from now on to use his restroom and answer the phone when it rings in there.  Uhhhhh NO, I told him.  I told him that when I need a private bathroom moment I'm taking one and don't care to be talking on the phone while I do it.  He was crazy!
on the topic of looking/feeling younger

I dont really know how to say this, so here it goes...sometimes older women in denim shorts and tank tops look...like older women trying to look young. I am not trying to disrespect anyone, but come on ladies, we've all seen them.  The person in the skimpy shorts and low cut top and bleached blonde hair, she turns around and lo and behold, she's your grandmother! That is not attractive! Women can dress and feel sexy without having to borrow our daughter's clothes! Just IMHO!


OFF TOPIC KELLY AND REGIS

Did anyone see the show this morning? I had to miss it.  Did Lori Schulweiss pick a guy? Who did she pick.  I have been watching all last week but missed it today. 


Over 200 views, hot topic indication.
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This topic also on company board
nm
Over 200 views, it marks as HOT topic.
//
Again, the Main board is for anything that would not be a topic that should

be posted on any of the boards in the left column.  If your post is about equipment questions, then that should be posted on either the Equipment or Technical boards.  If a new MT has questions, posts should be made on the New MT board.  Questions about a particular company?  Post is on the Company board. 


We receive well over 5 million hits to this site per month.  If everything was posted on the Main board we would have a major problem on our hands.  That is why posts are deleted. 


Bringing topic over from 2nd page. Someone
higher rate because he/she has the CMT. I say the reality is that 90% or better don't give a toot about the CMT and are going to pay what they want anyway. And, all the RMT is going to do is cause major grief to a lot of hard working MTs, MTs who are barely making it financially. The RMT will cost MONEY along with their requirements. AAMT has caved to offshoring and is doing American MTs no favors. Frankly, I think the only worth an AAMT membership holds is the money you would be paying to put in their pocket. And, for what? To lobby on the Hill in favor of a bill that would ensure that patients’ individually identifiable health information is secure and protected; improving health care quality and reducing medical errors, and developing best practices to support and accelerate efforts to adopt, implement, and effectively use interoperable health information technology when all the while AAMT is openly embracing offshoring?

In a nutshell, your money is fodder for a worthless organization.

Oh, and Jay and anyone else from AAMT, in case you're reading here, here's a couple of suggestions for AAMTs potential name change...

Foundation for the United Council of Kooks (Formerly Modesto Mavens)
Organization Of Offshore Suckups (OOS)