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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

SHORT HAND

Posted By: Tiffin on 2008-01-22
In Reply to: instant text vs short cut... - looking for opinions pls. nm

I have never used Instatext, but I have used ShortHand for 10+ years and love it.  It is versitile, easy to use and I can use it in every system I work in.  I have used it in Meditech, Citrix, Star, and all worked well.  AND I was able to convert my FlashForward to it and my autocorrect to it.




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I used Short Keys, not Short hand for Bayscribe, it worked fine.
x
I have Short Hand. Never used the others -sm
You can install ShortHand on multiple PCs. I like it. You can actually have one shortcut for a few things (found that really, really useful). You do have to pick from the list which one you want, but I'd rather be accurate even if it might slow me down a little. It has drawbacks too though. If you forgot to put -ed on the end of a word for instance, and you go back and do that and if ed is one of your shortcuts, it will expand when you don't want it to. You can save your personal shortcut dictionary (which is nice for backup) and install it along with the program on other PCs. You can also convert an old PRD dictionary from WP if you had one and possibly others too.

It works with anything windows and you can have multiple dictionaries for multiple jobs or facilities that might have different rules.
short hand
I've been using it for about two years and love it! Good luck to you.
Short hand question...sm

If a doctor writes a plus sign inside of a circle, what does that translate to in short hand?


Thanks!


Short Hand can convert your PRD dictionary, but
it will only work with Windows programs.
I've used Hand-Eze and Thergonomic Hand Aids. sm
They help with the carpal tunnel and keep hands warm for me. They cover the hand and wrist but leave the fingers free. I wear them inside out, though, because the seams rub on the skin too much for me. I've gotten so used to them, that it is more comfortable wearing them while typing than typing with nothing on.
Don't talk about hand, I still remember the one that got her hand chewed up by her pet rat....

had nightmares for 2 days after that.



Well, if you broke your right hand and were right-hand dominant, can you see how this might be a fac
It may not be relevant at the time of dictating a physical exam or social history but in the future it would be good to know if the patient breaks the finger(s), wrist, hand, arm.
Ditto, short ERs or short OPs....short anything! sm
And I especially don't like long OPs, they are the most boring for me, and the doctors pause a lot cause they have to think more. I just want to be done with it! Next!!! ; )
Long short forms vs short short forms

Carla,


A long short form is usually easier to remember. So I would definitely assign the short forms as suggested by Kelli:
SmithCThead
SmithCTabdomen
etc


In most Expander programs you would opt for a short short form as you have to type the whole short form before you can expand.
In Instant Text you don't have to type the whole short form: you type the first two letters of your long short form and then you can type any of the following letters.
So in this case you would type smcth for the first one, smcta, and you may also type smhead, smabd


This is possible when you use the Instant Text marker key to expand. If you use the space bar to expand, you may be better off assigning the initials as suggested in the second response, as you would not be able to "jump ahead".


Marianne


On the other hand....
if you're an experienced acute care MT, you can pick up radiology in a month or two.  I just did it earlier this year.  Never typed a minute of radiology before and a couple months later I'm "flyin" at it.  Yes, there's a learning curve, but it's not brain surgery. 
on the other hand...
If you knew the TAT on the account when you took it on, and accepted it as such, then your obligation is to have the work done on time.  If your personal life is getting more complicated and interfering with your ability to maintain the TAT,  then maybe you should let your employer know so they can replace you with someone who can meet the TAT.  Their first obligation is to the client, after all. 
On the other hand....
Just the fact that you would be working on only one type of report would tend be for better production.
None I can think of off hand LOL!
xx
on the other hand..emp vs IC sm

status.


Anyone have experience with companies who hire you as an employee, certain hours but don't provide you with the equipment you need?  Worked for a company that did that but no medical spell checker on their software, some accounts they want YOU to buy a C-phone for etc. etc.  Asked them up front if account I would be working on would have medical speller, told yes.  It did not.  Also there was some kind of ShortHand program built in that they knew nothing about, we couldn't get to and conflicted with the autocorrect I used in Word.  Kept asking and it was always we will ask the hospital and then nothing.  Went out bought my own spell check and whatever I needed then three weeks into working, they dump the account.


Start over with a new account, different problems, they want me to buy even more stuff.  Said no I am outta here!


Anybody had that problem?


You're right .. and here's 1st-hand knowledge -- sm

I start med school (been an MT for 24 years) August 2006. 


One of my classes last semester was Intro to Medical Practices.  I especially inquired about pro bono work by all the physicians and dentists who spoke to the class as guests each week.  All gave significant amounts of their practice to pro bono work.


One physician in particular impressed me.  He is a cardiovascular surgeon.  His main area of expertise is doing cardiac bypasses.  To make a long story short, because of insurance changes (MCare) over the past few years, he only makes about $650 per bypass for his own pocket and that is gross.  Of the $1850 MCare and insurance companies pay him for this procedure, it costs him $1200 in overhead for that procedure.  Until last year, he would often do the procedure for free for patients who could not afford it and had no insurance.  However, for 2 years he had to BORROW MONEY to pay his OVERHEAD because he did so much pro bono work.  He finally decided he just could not go bankrupt doing that.  So now, he STILL does HIS PART for free but the patient has to pay his overhead.  He tells them to call their family, friends, churches and if they have the $1200 for his overhead, he will donate HIS skills/time/energy for free.


The physician (maxillofacial surgeon) who directed this class said his annual pro bono work runs around $250,000 a year. 


As well, while dentists recoup 95% to 100% of the fees charged for their services (they are ALWAYS getting their money up front), physicians (with the exception of cosmetic plastic surgery) only recoup an average of 31% of their fees.  For every $1000 they spend on a patient, they will only get back approximately $310 and must write off the rest. 


Now that is INSIDE information - direct from the physicians and dentists we had in class.  I was shocked.  Not deterred, but shocked. 


Regarding that lovely cardiologist who gives so much away, take into consideration that the $650 for HIS skills/time/energy for ONE cardiac bypass -- he invests a total of 12 to 15 hours for that one procedure (that is WITHOUT complications happening) including his consult/operative time/followup visits, hospital rounds, etc.  That comes out to about $54 an hour -- and plumbers and electricians around here make more than that.  My Ford dealership in town gets $76 an hour. 


And now, since we are starting to do bypasses endovascularly through the femoral artery, he has to really put the money down for more education to train to do this or he will be out of business shortly. 


Interesting huh?!  When people make comments to me about my future as a physician as a way to "get rich", I tell them not necessarily so!!  LOL  I'm not doing it for money!  You couldn't pay me enough to go through all this at this time in my life!!  LOL  


Because I live with it first hand

I do get offensive when someone doesn't like my children simply because of their skin tone.  I'm not saying that the OP said anything about my children or even posted about the topic.  I was just offended that she can so casually admit to being a prejudice person.  Prejudice causes hate and violence.  I take offense to that.  I think that you should, and everyone should take offense to it so that it can be stopped.  If everyone were okay with it or  no one ever stood up about the subject, where would we be? 


Also, there is a difference between knowing someone as an individual that may be a "bad seed" and be a minority and not liking them versus not liking someone without knowing them as a person simply because they are a minority.


All I know is, when those of us who are saved make it to heaven, there will be every race there right along with us, as God has created us all in his image.


Don't need hand holding.
I don't expect them to hold my hand, but it would be nice if they at least pretended to be somewhat human! Compassion for another person's loss only takes a second to respond to.... as you said in your post. It only took a second right? Most of the time I am with you, I would rather NOT hear from them. But of course I sent an e-mail to tell her that I would be out for the funeral, she could have replied with a condolence. That's all I am saying. I think that's a bit of a problem with the world in general these days, no one even seems to have time to be kind. Thank you for your second to respond and give your condolence on my loss!
Hand stress

I've transcribed since 1983.  You can lessen hand stress if you observe how you hold your hands as you type.  When I was in my twenties I noticed that there was a real difference in the way I held my hands and how the older transcriptionists (they had their wrists up and hands pointing down at the keyboard).  I have always had my wrists laying on something and my fingers are going up.  I have never had one bit of carpal tunnel or pain whatsoever.


I agree 100%, on the other hand
They are all "red" states, you would think Bush would give them a payback for giving him a job....hey, maybe if we tell him Osama Bin Laden is there he will send some troops.
Two first hand accounts..that's where
Any excuse to blame him...that's okay. Very expected. Very insignificant.
Well, Bush DOES consider himself at the right hand of The Man...

best hand lotion..sm
This stuff is great. It's about $12.00 a bottle..maybe more now..check out Silver Lining.com ... it has MSM in it and I have actually used it to relieve my carpal tunnel pain. It's a great healing lotion. Wonderful stuff!
Help! Does anyone have first-hand experience with VR, and if so,
what about the MONEY? I do not mind learning it and am excited about the new possibilities and where MT fits; however, am I to expect a major pay reduction? I imagine full-time with benefits will no longer be an option?

Please, any substantial information will be very appreciated...I am only interested in the money, so I can pay my rent, my utilities, my groceries. I do not have a husband who supports me, so live paycheck to paycheck.

Is it possible to make any money?

Thanks all!
leg and hand edema

I have had a problem with swelling in my lower legs and feet and also my hands for the past few years now.  When this first started I had problems with headaches, went to the doctor and found my blood pressure was high.  So now I take HCTZ 75/50 once a day and do pretty well on it.  It is a pretty good diuretic and my B/P is very well controlled on it. 


In the mornings I have no swelling at all, but I notice though that by the end of my workday my hands and legs are really swollen.  My doctor says to just start exercising regularly and elevate my feet whenever possible.  I also try to avoid salt.  I'm a bit overweight so I'm sure that is not helping either. 


I'm just curious if any of you other MTs have this problem also and how you deal with it.



Hand raised...
I too tell my teens to get off the phone, bed by 10:30 usually, curfew and such. It's hard because her friends don't have curfews and she does. It's very difficult to be the "party pooper" but somebody has to.
Want to hold my hand.
I agree, insulting a fellow MT is uncalled for, let alone a PS to imply this is unprofessional. I guess the word "brain" "dense" and "childish" are your words for the week! That makes what now, ? MTs you are wondering whether they have brains or not, are dense or childish. Oh, and please stop YELLING at people posting on this site. We are not children nor do we act like a child. Be kind as if we were your children, because you obviously are not around adults often enough. Geez!!!!!!! PS: Congrats to making fantastic money. I'm sure you are very dedicated.
This post is getting way out of hand--sm
consider dropping all comments now, before some people end up getting banned. just a suggestion.
I'd force her hand. sm
I'd definitely force her to do the deed if that's what she's up to. I sure wouldn't make it easy for her. It sounds like you've done a good job for them all this time. As for the pay, I think I'd be tempted to mention something about how they could afford vacation, but not be able to pay you, especially after you spent your vacation at home. The idea that she'd do that burns me up for you! Furthermore, you know darn well they've got the money. She's just being vindictive. Make sure and update after next week. We'll be wishing you luck with this sticky situation.
I just checked this out, Hand-Eze about twice as sm
expensive. About $20.00 for a pair of Hand-Eze and $11.99 for a pair of Thergonomic Hand-Aids. The only difference I've found is the color and the name.
She only cuts 3. By hand. That's all.
x
Hand Pain Help
You may also try taking magnesium and B6. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer, and the B6 works with the mag. Your problem is not exactly the same as mine was, but it could help you too.

Several years ago I developed carpel tunnel syndrome that got progressively worse over a several of months. Magnesium/B6 is what the doctor suggested, and within a week, my pain, numbness, tingling....all the symptoms, were completely resolved!!! I haven't worn a brace since! The dosage I took was 2600 mg of magnesium a day and 200 mg of B6. Adjust the dose as needed.

**Word of warning - if you develop stomach problems (to put it nicely), cut back your dose. Loose stools are a side effect of too much magnesium in your body, but it doesn't mean you can't take it...just cut back the dose until you get to a comfortable level. Good Luck!
hand cramps
My hands were bothering me over the past 8 months or so.  Last weekend I went river rafting and even though my wrists were aching and felt weak, I had to row!  Bottom line, the next day my hands/wrists were feeling fine. After working one afternoon, I had cramping again but I think exercising in kind of a cross-training way will fix them.
Ok, this is getting out of hand & it's going to stop now.

The OP explained her situation and then elaborated on the situation again. It sounds like she is a giving person by helping other family members and it also sounds like she just wanted some ideas on frugal ways to make a dollar stretch until she gets her affairs in proper order.  Should she require the family members pay SOME type of rent to be accountable?  Probably. We all know the real estate market is not what is used to be and some people are in a bind with their property right now. The OP is clear that she was not fully informed about the whole transaction and there could be particulars that the OP may not have been privvy too. Maybe mistakes were made by the OP and her husband and it's too late to repair the problem.  People make mistakes all the time.  As you are reading this, consider what mistakes you have made in just the past 24 hours.  The key here is that before passing judgement understand that there could be many variables that you are not aware of. 


Hand pain

Help!  Both of my hands today are very painful.  Sometimes I get the usual aches and pains in my hands and wrists from transcribing, but today they BOTH hurt so bad, especially between the index finger and thumb areas.  They feel cramped and the pain is similar to when my shoulders get tense and you rub the knots.  It's not a sharp pain, but a pretty intense pain when I put pressure on my hands, try to lift anything or touch/massage them or even stretch them.  They're painful in the first four digits on both hands.  Has anyone had this and/or have any clues what it is or what I can do to help them.  TIA!


hand pain
Heating pad, ibuprofen, some kind of muscle rub with gloves over that, even if you have to cut the fingers out of a regular pair of gloves. Sometimes, the compression gloves make mine hurt worse. Also, a rigid wrist brace with thumb stabilizer helps overnight.
Hand Pain
Try using typing gloves or wrist supports. You buy them at Wal-Mart for about $20.00. Mueller's are the best ones I have found. Hope this helps!
right hand coldness

I work in my finished basement and in the winter it is normally a little chilly, but not horrible.  But, for the past few weeks, my right hand has been freezing cold.  I got some gloves and cut the tips off, but that doesn't even help much...my fingertips remain freezing cold.  I am starting to wonder if there may be some other sort of problem, especially because this does not happen to my left hand.


Any suggestions as to what might be causing this? TIA.


Right hand coldness
Is your right hand closer to an outside wall or window? Try getting a small heater fan to place near your right side.....this might help,

I have a left ulnar neuropathy, and in fact, had a transposition done a few years ago (which failed). Do you have any arm pain or weakness/numbness?
I agree...it got way out of hand
The whole thing started as an innocent what if joking scenario and then all this what if it was you type thing jumped in and some people got way upset about something that was just suppose to be a little thought that was funny and something to laugh at and keep us going for the day. It was blown way out of proportion and WE should be working together and trying to enjoy what we do.
Pointing hand
Okay, what does the symbol of the little hand pointing to the right on this forum mean? 
Raising hand
I am quite happy. Always have tons of work. I get more PTO than any other company could even come close to, and now we get 2 extra paid holidays. I think they are really trying hard to turn things around. Plus I love Chartnet.
Pay us more. One well-paid MT in the hand will have
nm
Hand positioning?? Is there more than one
way to put your hands on the keyboard???
Extext, hand down! nm
nm
hand arthritis and QA
I have been transcribing for about 25 years and now have arthritis in the joints in my fingers.  Has anyone who had this problem switched to QA and found benefit?  Also, I am naive about QA and I do not know how QA'ers are paid.  Is it by the line or by the hour?  What is the range of pay per line and/or hour.  I would like to be somewhat informed should I decide to apply for a QA position and know what is reasonable to expect with my experience.   Any help would be appreciated. 
Well, on the other hand, I would like to apologize.
I have been at this since 1979. The changes that have occurred over the last 25 years have been dramatic and mostly, they have been oppressive. Now, I know I will see e-mails stating that this is the greatest job in the world and who could ask for more than being able to stay at home and make a living.

It is more than that. This is the only field where the wickedness comes out of coworkers to the point of disdain toward their comrades. I don't understand it. It is not like this in any other field. Mostly, the team work that is necessary for feel like there is a common goal (giving the client a perfect report in a timely fashion)and a common enemy (QA which dissect our reports, turning even the most seasoned MTs into self-doubting, defensive and trembling people who, of course, realize they are on the brink of losing their jobs). The past performance however perfect is wiped clean with one bad QA result. Supervision becomes god-like, determine how much income we will make, how well we will enjoy our work and how we feel about ourselves depending on their feedback and encouragement.

There isn't much more to say about this job - it does pay well but comparatively speaking, after 25 years in the same field, you could say, we have not had a raise. Speed typing engines keep our production up to a level that gives us a decent wage.

Say what you will about this job, but it is always going to have good and bad days. Over the years, our hearing will diminish, tinnitus from noise exposure, carpal tunnel from repetitive movements, the innumerable physical conditions which result from sitting still for such a long time (heart attacks at 50 have occurred to two of my comrades), isolation, depression.

And it is not going to get any better.

Trying to consider that I am working to help a physician perform his duties as he treats his patients is what I personally focus on. It helps to be fascinated by medicine.

But, to the new MTs - I apologize for the bad and hope that the good makes up for it. I hope you realize that the patient is why we are here, so be sure that our report is accurate so that proper care is provided.

The personalities in this field can be abrasive, and it may be that reason why they turn to solo work but again, that goes with it. Best advice is to keep to yourself, not gossip nor listen to gossip, type every report like it is the only one, and realize that the money, even 60 thousand a year, is far from enough to compensate us for doing a job that is so rarely appreciated by the CEOs, that our line count and bad QA score over a 30 day period can take us out of a job we have been in for 20 years.


Hand Pain
I have just gone back to transcribing after editing the last 4 years. I am having a problem with a very painful left hand. I work a secretary job during the day and transcribe for 4 hours at night. After 2 shifts, the pain starts. After the 3rd shift, I am in extreme pain. Does anyone know of anything that could help relieve this pain? Thanks in advance!
Hand Pain
Hi,

 

Hand pain is miserable.  I tried transcription gloves and they help.  An ergonomic keyboard is better than a standard keyboard.  Once you get used to using one, you won't want to go back.  One thing that truly helps me is a parafin wax treatment for my hands.  I am also a guitarist so my hands work very hard. I got a home parafin wax setup, not too expensive.  Bed, Bath, & Beyond used to carry them. Refill wax you can find at a beauty supply store.  It wraps your hands in wonderful heat.  Good to do on your night off.  Good luck!

my right hand goes cold

Hi - I just developed identical sympotms as you in the last week.  Especially while typing, my right hand goes cold and I have pain in the joint of my thumb and wrist.  I also have very mild swelling in the hand (no one else notices but me).  I can tell the fingers are all slightly more swollen on the right hand.  My suspicion is this is a "repetitive movement" agitation of the joints kind of like tennis elbow or something.  My plan of action - which will be very hard to accomplish - is take advil to reduce pain and swelling, and reduce movement of the hand by using my left hand instead.  If the problem continues, I may try a home made splint or something from Walgreens.  If after that, I'll go to the doctor to get a referal to someone who knows how to fix it. Please respond to this if you ever found out what your problem is.  I'm at the beginning stages and people have said, "maybe you have arthritis".  Well, I'm only 36, there's no way I'm gonna have arthritis this young, right?  Anyway, I'd like to know what others have found.


Thanks


MTs give the best Hand job
no doubt about that. there are some  bitc hes in you MT industry.