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Do y'all think the size of the font matters in line counts?

Posted By: MSMT on 2007-01-18
In Reply to:

If your font is smaller takes more characters to make a line?  I just wondered this today. 


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I've been seeing a lot on this board about fonts and font size affecting line counts and I was...

wondering how this is possible?  I mean if your lines are based on a 65 character line then what difference does the font type or size make?  I mean, a character is a character whether it's type in Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier.


I use MP Count to count my lines and I decided to do a little test.  I typed a document and saved in Arial 10 and 12 font type and size, Times New Roman 10 and 12 font type and size, and Courier 10 and 12 font type and size.  And then I ran a line report on each individual document counting lines by 65 characters per line strict (no spaces) and came up with 24 lines each time in each font type and size.


There was an MT below who was saying she types in Arial for her client, but bills them for Courier like it made a difference in the lines.  Maybe I'm missing something, but I just don't see how it makes any difference at all.


It depends on font size, line length, margin size, etc.
There are too many variables. 
Font and line counts
Here's another question in this regard.  A friend of mine always worked in-house and they were allowed to use Courier New 12.  She is now working for a service where the font is Times New Roman 12.  She finds that her line counts are half of what they were when using Courier New 12.  Does this sound right?  This service said that they were paying her for a 65-character line with spaces.  I am wondering if they are really paying her without spaces. Maybe this is the difference in line count.  Any ideas of why such a difference in line count?
Gross line was 7, not 8. Depending on font size and margins
7 cpl is about 8.5 cpl. 
Format, Font, Choose Font, Style Size & Color
.
Make sure you find out what font and font size
.
Ask what font, font size and margins are
Then you can figure out how many characters would be in a complete line of text. I am not sure if I am explaining this very well. :-( I worked for one place that had a small font size and small margins. So it did not work out for me as each line averaged closer to 70 characters, and there were not many lines that had only one or two words on them because of the set up.
All this talk about size-matters!
  I'm an 18-inch gal myself.  I adore my little flat panel...if only for the fact that it doesn't take up hardly any space on my already dinky desk here.  My husband is a freak and has 2 flat panels next to each other and is always doing weird things with them.  They have come down so much in price these past few years it's not even funny.  I highly recommend scoring one! 
font size
When paid by cpl, does it affect your line count if you type in a size 10 or size 12 font?
Font size
I have an account and they did not indicate a font size - I know that it makes a big difference the more that you have bolded in a report - what would be a reasonable font size or the standard font size to use?
Font size
I have read with interest the thread on font size.  Now I know why one company allows you to transcribe in one font and then it gets printed in another - which is much smaller - which does make it harder to get your lines.  I thought that it was me - but could not understand until I saw what was getting printed and counted, as to why it was so difficult to get a good line count when I had always done so in the past.  Is this not in some way misrepresentation?  You see what looks like a nice report and then when it gets printed it is so small that you can hardly read it - this also messes with the end of your lines and sentences - where if you make a hard page break on what is on your computer screen it comes up as something different on the copied version on the other side.  All of the info offered was good and this is a good point to make when looking at work - especially if you are new and do not know anything different.
font size
If you are counting by dividing characters by 65 characters, no matter what font you use it will be the same. However if you count by gross line -- line charge no matter how many words on a line you will lose money.   But if it is by by every 65 characgers (including spaces) you could use an 8, 9 or 12 font and the charge will all be the same.
font size
Every place I've ever worked or worked for has a default font. You can have text on your screen set at newspaper headline size (like my MT friend who has macular degeneration) and it'll usually default to their 11- or 12-pt font. I'm sure every hospital or MTSO's software specs are different, though.
font size
I think you just go under view and change the text size to whatever you want it to be.
what is your font size set at??
The zoom feature will not affect the size of the printing font, but the font size will. Make sure it is at least 12.
Font size
When I highlight the text it is in the font size I want, but when I insert the autotext it makes the font smaller.
Sorry. Got cut off. Nothing I do can increase the font size.
x
Font size! I never knew.
What an eye opener. I did not realize this was happening. Thanks for the info to all who submitted to the font thread.
The font is the size of the type, has nothing
to do with the character line count.
Autotext - font size
Hmm, I don't know.  Let me play around with it, and I will get back with you.  I have never had that problem.  When you highlight your text, is it in the font you are wanting, or is it changing from that to a smaller font?  Strange. 
Brower font size
I'm drawing a blank and cannot remember how to change the size of print within Internet sites. Can anyone help with this? Thanks
HIPAA laws have nothing to do with font size.
Some in your office don't have a clue, evidently.

A summary of the HIPAA law is posted at the HHS website.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HIPAAGenInfo/02_TheHIPAALawandMore.asp#TopOfPage

Or you can go to HIPAA.org.
You have to be working in the default font and size of the
document template to keep autotext from changing. IOW, when you open a document and change the font or size before you start typing, you are not working in the default of the template the document is based on.
The font size could stand to be a tad bigger here for us w/old eyes! Thx. nm
m
Does anyone have to use size 10 font? Does it take you longer to make your lines? nm
s
Definitely a common font size. Ask if increasing the zoom on your end
s
It's the quality, not the size that counts

Increasing the zoom view does not increase the font size.
xx
I have IE set to display text size as largest, yet this font is so tiny I can barely see it.
x
I agree check with your facility. Enlarging the font size can cause problems once a report uploads

I wrote a macro that would take the font size back down to 100% once I was finished and ready to sign off.  I think I assigned to something like CNTRL+ALT+F and I got into a habit of doing that before hitting whatever function keys to spell check and sign off.  It worked great.


Gross line = each line on page counts as a line, even if it's only 1 word. nm
x
gross-anything on line counts as line,even one word
xx
not OP, but what is standard font for gross line that most are using? sm
how would you go about it if the acct suddenly decreased font size from 12 to 10, but expects to pay the same? to me it is kinda like a decrease in my pay!!!! well it is technically because i am doing the same amount of work for less money and i am not happy.
I agree - font has nothing to do with line count

I just changed font as well down to 11 font because they only have a typewriter and want to make corrections on reports I have printed and they do not have access to the reports (old doctor), but anyway, there is no change in line count.  It just makes the font smaller.


LIne counts

Per discussion below about 16,000 per pay period, is that one week or two weeks?  I am a small MTSO, IC or whatever and have 4 accounts (6 docs)  plus I work in a clinic to "get out of the house" after an ugly divorce.  I work there 20 to 25 hours plus bring home tapes.  (hourly rate)    On my IC accounts,  though this is per month, I do 32,000 to 34,000 lines per month and put in about 22 hours per week with pick up and delivery, printing, cutting apart chart notes, etc.  So if that 16,000 per two weeks, that could be considered part time but if it is one week, she is a whiz if she does that part-time which I consider under 24 hours a week.


Just my 2 cents worth.


line counts
If I work the eight hour shift with the two 15 minute breaks and 30 minute break I usually do 1500-1700 lines per day, depending on the dictators, quality, etc. I rarely do 2000 and it takes 9-10 hours a day with NO problems when I do (and no breaks). Oddly, it seems that when I push myself to do more I have less problems with my hands than when I don't....... go figure !!
Line counts

To all transcriptionists:


I am new to MTStars.  I am so glad to see a place where transcriptionists of every kind can blow off steam.   I am a well seasoned profession medical transcriptionist and like so many of you, take pride in my work and profession.  The rash of recent sweeping changes and concerns in our industry have me very concerne as with all of you.   We can no longer afford to sit back and say nothing.  For too long the personality profile of the medical transcriptionist was that of a meek, never-talk-back mouse in the corner who did what she was told.   After all, and I may be dating myself here,  many transcription departments began in the basement of hospitals - you gals remember that?  We were stuffed in corners where storage boxes made their homes!!!


For too long this industry has gone largely unregulated and for too long we did not unionize or gather forces to protect ourselves and our profession as other allied health fields have done.  Because we are a nonrevenue-producing department in the chain of  our healthcare system we are always the first to get cut in budgets.  Yet that medical record is most vital to reimbursements and to the patient.   We now find ourselves wondering if the powers that be care at all.  We are concerned about offshore outsourcing, the shady practices of national transcription companies, and an array of legitimate concerns.    


The medical transcription industry is a multi-billion dollar business.  You bet competition is stiff.  Is it any wonder there are so many scandals right now?


Here's mine concern, for now.  LINE COUNTS!!!!  WE MUST UNIFY OUR EFFORTS FOR ACCURATE LINE COUNTS THAT REFLECT WHAT A MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST ACTUALLY PRODUCES AND WHAT A MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION COMPANY COUNTS.   For too long, way too long, I hear (and have experienced it myself) so many transcriptionists complain and voice their concerns and doubts on what their actual line count may be when they work for a national transcription company.   SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO CLEAR THIS ISSUE AND BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE FOR ALL INVOLVED - TRANSCRIPTIONIST, TRANSCRIPTION COMPANY AND CLIENT.   We are the only industry I know of that puts blinders on its workers when it comes to piecemeal work.  The cable man, the UPS guy, the plumber,  salesman - all know up front what the client gets charged, what their cut is, and what the company charges - Hell, even the farmer workers know up front what they get per basket of strawberries they pick!!!  - CLEAR, UP FRONT.  WHY ARE WE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE THE LINE COUNT UTILITY PROGRAM THAT CHARGES THE CLIENT?  


If we are losing our work to overseas sweat shops, let's address the sweat shops here in the UNITED STATES making  the money.   I believe a forum like this is valuable and long over due - we should list companies that are shady and treat their employees with unfair practices.   There must be a way to address the line count issue on a national level so that it changes, changes to the benefit of all - the transcriptionist, the transcription company and the client.   I say we start by dialogue among ourselves at this site and take it to all transcription companies in a format that engages the dialogue among all concerned.    I'm willing to  invest some time on this issue of importance to all. 


By the way, I don't currently work for a national company - I have been an independent contractor who has just lost 2 hospital accounts to, yeah, you guessed it - INDIA!!!  Hospitals CFO's got a boner when they heard this company can do the work for $2.00 an hour. 


 


 


RE: Line counts
There is already an advocate for what you are proposing. It is called The American Association for Medical Transcription focuses on directing the evolution of medical transcription and to advance and represent the profession ...

Line counts
No, I'm not in a union, never have been, don't belong to any group, but did belong to AAMT a long time ago.
Line counts in MTS.....sm
My MQ account is still on MT Shell. Over the past couple days, I've noticed that when I check my line counts under "Work Summary," they seem much less than what I was expecting. Have been doing this for over three years, so I have a good feel for the approximate number of lines I've transcribed. Of course, in MTs there is no way to see the gross number of lines you've typed, as far as I know. You can see the "gross" lines for each report under "Edit Transcriptions" but that doesn't allow for empty lines. I wish it would give the actual line count you are being credited for. Again, my line counts seem pretty anemic for the amount of typing I've been doing.

Everything is so underhanded with this company. With all the crap going on, I am nearly ready to jump ship.
low line counts

Hey fellow MQMT


Do you realize you're not being paid for spaces.


I just figured that out... Starting to work for the night.


Consideringtypingwithnospacesjusttoseehowtheylikeit.


about low line counts
My line counts are always low and it is mostly MY fault.  I HATE leaving blanks so will listen and relisten, trying hard to get it, slowing it down, speeding it up, etc.  Also, I always proofread my work before sending it.  When I worked in the hospital I used to ask the high producers just HOW they got so many lines and they would always say, "don't proofread, the spell check is good enough," and also they didn't care if they left a lot of blanks for QA.  The one thing I HAVE discovered is to listen to the whole report, leave blanks right away and then go back after the report is done.  I used to struggle and waste time, but now find that once I get used to the dictator's voice, when I go back sometimes it sounds much better!  I hate to admit this (and sorry QA people), but I do think I am going to start leaving more blanks because I do have to make more $$$ and it aint happenin this way!
line counts
Said 5 errors in 10,973 lines. I have done more than 2500 in an 8 hour day. Like to average 300 to 400 per hour but my accounts now only take me 25 hours per week now. (including printing, delivery, cutting chart notes, etc.) I have two I/C's that do my psych accounts now. Cut back this year after ugly three year divorce but my small MTSO sill grosses 55 to 60K of which 80% is mine from typing. Will be picking up another account or two after the first of the year. People can accurately do 250 to 300 lines per hour, believe me they can. I pick up the small accounts that the large ones do not want and give them personal service and little extras. Have been doing this for over 20 years.
Only 10 more to go before retirement.

Line counts

I would guess as a newbie you would probably average about 100 lines per hour starting out (yes, that's only about $7 or $8 an hour).  This should increase within a few months, but this depends a lot on what kind of work you are doing.  Most company requirements are around 150 lines per hour.  I have 10+ years experience and average about 300 per hour.  


I will also mention that working part time may also hinder the process of speeding up just from the fact that you won't be working as much.   Keep with it though,  the speed will come.  l     


line counts
Really decent...in fact, that rate might give you a slight edge over 65 w/space counts. Is that for IC or FT employee status? What about headers and footers, benefits, etc.
line counts
Headers and footers are patient demo, report type information, ccs and the like. Even though some of that info is already entered for you, some companies pay for that because it accounts for the time you spend looking up doctor and patient information...and some don't pay it. It typically varies by account profile. In any case, for parttime, it sounds pretty good to me. Good luck with it.
Line counts: How do you do it?

Do you work really fast in short spurts.  Do you sit your butt down and stay planted there till you get all your lines done?  Do you set a goal for yourself each day and not stop till your get it?  Or do you just type for however long you are going to type and are happy with whatever you come out with for that day?  Do you have a goal each day/each pay period, what?  Do you use an expander?  Do you use Smartype or something similar where it finishes words for you?


I seem to have a hard time keeping my happy @ss in my chair! 


Line counts
I'm in the same boat. If you make a template for each dictator, you can add 200 or 300 extra lines a night, which adds up over the pay period. It takes 1-2 minutes to do it each time you have a new dictator, but it pays off. Each of them has their own style with their own order of headings (at least at my hospital)and if you make a template with jump codes, it works wonders - plus it saves Keystrokes and is easier on the fingers.

Hang in there!
Line Counts
For those of you who responded, are these edited lines, standard transcription or a combination of the two?
Line counts
AT the present job i work at, this line counting situation is wierd. We are to take 26 x the number of reports we type in a day to get our line count. Has anyone ever heard of this and i am coming up short from what my employer says i have and what I actually get on my paystub. I am told the company uses DocuCount for their line counting progam. Now.. why is it we cannot see what the manager comes up with lines and what we have to compare. The only way we know what our actual line count is ...is when we get our paystub. I downloaded a free line counting program to compare but I am confused on Custom line count and just Line count. What is the difference. Can anyone help me here? TIA
Line Counts
I can't even try to do the math with those numbers, I can't add 2+2. I have to say that this does sound really fishy to me. We also used ExText where I used to work and we had access to our line counts at any time. The fact that they basically took away the transcriptionist's clearance definitely makes it look suspicious. If they were treating you fairly why would they care if you could look at your line count -- it is your line count! With so many different line counting programs out there I think that a company that doesn't use one is foolish -- or -- being dishonest with their transcriptionists.

I still haven't recovered my money from the Medquist mess of about four or five years ago, and I have a copy of all of my line counts!

Good luck