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Thanks for the belly laugh... almost wet myself with that comment! :) NM

Posted By: smile lines on 2009-04-01
In Reply to: Heavens to Murgatroyd! Offshore scams? Who'da thunk it? - HomeAlone




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I am glad you had such a belly laugh, but the fact is...sm

I have been doing this for many years, was paid 11 cents a line (yes as a subcontractor) but left that company because their software was so obsolete it slowed me down).  I am currently making 10.5 cents a line (yes again as a subcontractor).  So I know there are companies that pay well...maybe your attitude is what keeps you from being employed by one of them.  I am not a hateful or confrontational person by nature but I feel I asked an honest question and you simply attacked me, I do not understand why.


LOL, had to laugh at the Indian brethern comment, nm
I cant tell you how many times I had heard that.
should've been good laugh not could laugh
x
Soft belly (sm)
What I'm saying is the doc feels around for position sometimes and that's probably why he said soft. Contractions make it hard, oh, and also huge babies, like mine. Ouch!!
Spheris belly up
Tried to reply early..new at this so if duplicate, I apologize. Personally I am thrilled to see India down for personal/selfish reasons only related to Spheris. Spheris is purposefully abusing their good MTs, forcing all difficult work on them at no compensation while they aggressively train India and the grossly underpaid new grads from Career Step at 0.55/line. The US MTs for Spheris are only temporary, but Spheris has not bothered to tell them as they must USE and ABUSE them for a bit longer. Their SEC filings and plans clearly state they are aggressively training and pushing more work globally for the SOLE purpose of saving money and cutting MLS cost. Since 2006 they have lost money, more debt/revenue ratio, so in cutting costs, they are giving up quality for the dollar bill and outsourcing more work overseas. Once India is up and running, another 2000 MTs on top of an already 6000 they are trianing now, the US MT will be forced out. If the laws change, which are in congress now, that a hospital/clinic/doctor must inform the patient that their work is outsourced overseas and the patient given the right to refuse (and who wouldn't refuse?)....and hospitals pull back their India work, Spheris will belly up so fast their heads will spin leaving a large number of US MTs out of work and drenching the market. Personally, I'd like to see all the good MTs quit at the same time, and the clients discover the grossly diminished quality of their document, and search out a reputible company to do their transcription. I'm gone, after nearly 7 years with Spheris...wanting out before all Spheris MTs see what is happening and drench the market. I would never recommend anybody apply with Spheris, unless you like abuse, forced overtime, underpay, and that your quality by 200% better than India so the clients never catch out to how much bad work they are really getting.
Get a belly band. They sell them on e-bay! sm
There is a thing called a belly band. Breeders use these for their males to prevent them from hiking in the house. It is a band that goes around their belly and you put a mini pad or panty liner to absorb the "wee wee" They are usually between $8 to 10 and are machine washable and you can get the mini pads or panty lines for about $1 per package. I used doggy diapers on my girl puppies when they were small and also when they are in heat. They work great! I especially used them when we went to stay at a relative's house and she had brand new carpet and my shih-tzu was just a baby and not yet potty trained. Hope this helps you. Just try searching the web or e-bay for belly bands or doggie diapers. For a male, you want a belly band.
dog hiking leg - use belly bands
there are many places to get belly bands for boys and prissy pants for girls.

you can use sanitary napkins in them and then toss when used.

feel free to contact me if you cannot find such using google.

janmarie@tampabay.rr.com janmarie @ tampabay.rr.com

janet mills
Pekingese Rescue Volunteer

If you have your belly button pierced, where do you buy
x
Have ya'll ever had it really help your belly, esp your upper abdomen?nm
x
No belly. Full coverage, as previously stated.

I did not say I looked like a teeny bopper or hooker.  I said I traded my stretch shorts and t-shirts for denim shorts and a tank top.  Yeah, the shorts are somewhat low rider because they don't come up to my bra like the stretchy shorts do, but they've got a full rise that covers the crack and belly button.


Oh, no!  I must be a wanna-be trampy teenager!  Maybe next I'll go out and get some red satin thongs, a belly button ring and a butt tattoo because y'all are jumping on me like that's what I'm trying to do.  If you can't understand the concept of "full coverage", stay out of the conversation.


Prefer Tarzan over a speedo with a beer belly!
x
Belly button rings just look plain nasty on older woman, trying to act young.
s
Honestly, I send my kids to public school. They've never had a belly ache either.

must you be so full of yourself?


Please don't laugh....sm
Do not use suppositories vaginally......

If you are not vomiting, also, try something oral. If you are, patience I'm afraid is the only answer unless you become dehydrated, at which time you can receive something IM or IV.

But, a definite NO on the suppository question.

Feel better soon!
A little laugh

I told my 18 yo son today about a close family friend and his wife had a baby boy today and that he called me right away to let me know because he was so excited.  My son looked at me and said, "Yeah right mom, really, he had a baby today."  I looked right back at him and said, "Yes son, it takes both people to have the baby, a girl certainly can't get pregnant by herself!" 


This is funny to me because I know my son not sexually active yet (remember I know his girlfriend) and I certainly didn't expect to hear something like that, just reminded me of the little boy my young man still is. 


For a laugh
and to see if any other MTs had times where they didn't want to disturb their beloved pets during a workday and made the same sacrifice. Lighten up. Was just a funny moment, that's all.
laugh
great1!!! loved it!! he he he. LOL.
LOL! Thanks for the laugh!
x
Thanks for the laugh
now there's an innovative use for the BOS and something it is good for! LOL
thanks for the laugh!! nm

All you can do is laugh...if you don't
you'll just go insane!! LOL
Thanks for the laugh!!
I kind of like the story, too!
What a laugh

Don't laugh!
I cut it all off with a steak knife and eat it with a fork! How does one eat corn vertically? Huh?
I have to laugh at this
What you're asking is like Gateway asking Dell, Coca-Coca asking Pepsi or Marriott asking Hilton to hand to them on a silver platter information to get their business off the ground so they can compete with the other.  Rotsa' ruck pal!
Have to Laugh
Rather than be upset, annoyed or anything else I can be for this ESL that sends a 25 minute dictation, with pauses, very strong dialect, and grammar issues ending up to be a 1.5 page report - I had to laugh, when he started giving me the punctuation too - as far as he is concerned this is one long paragraph with commas and semi colons just about every third word. No kidding. Too bad they ask that I clean it up - so many times he want shis work VERBATIM - and he dictates his instructions with force during his tirade.
Just have to laugh.
I so enjoy this board!
Okay, here's a laugh for you (sm)
This is a verbatim account and it would serve them right if I transcribed it the way it was stated.  "Chest x-ray of the right foot is pending."  I don't know how they teach anatomy in his country but it certainly is different from here.
Thanks for the laugh :-) nm

QA comment
I just wanted to say a few things from the world of QA. There are some MTs who get dictators the likes of which I just cannot even describe as far as ESLs. Oh my. My heart just bleeds for you all - I mean it.  I don't know how you do it, the dictators are that awful. But most of you MTs who get these language-murdering dictators struggle and persevere thru usually endless reports.  It IS noticed, though you might think its not.  Not that peon QA people can do anything for you, but I do notice and applaud you. And I DO mention names of these MTs to account managers on a regular basis, praising their effort on these impossible dictations. Don't know if it helps, but I like to believe it does!  On the flip side, there are other MTs who are just a disgrace to our profession - they're not learning or new (we can tell). They are simply lazy and sloppy, making the most horrendous careless STUPID mistakes one can even imagine.  Sometimes my mouth just hits my desk in horror.  And I just shake my head and wade in and fix the entire report myself - that's what I'm there for, right? And for those who take offense that some mistakes are stupid - well, there are some that are stupid! No questions are stupid, but mistakes sure can be!  I wish all of you could see firsthand what is out there as far as the quality of MTs.  I know you would be amazed at the disparity between MTs.  And we ALL makes mistakes, yes, but its how you handle them that counts. I try to be so kind and respectful to all with my corrections, even the lazy sloppy ones.  So many MTs are so sweet and write back and thank me for the help, which is totally not expected, while the lazy ones write back screaming at the injustices of their errors!  Or they call the president of the company screaming in indignation! Its a shame - I could give dozens of examples of absolutely incredible lazy not-thinking mistakes, but I would never want to embarass someone who I probably QA'd and who might read my post.  I never want to hurt a soul, but really wish some MTs would just think while they were transcribing.  Some MTs do try so hard - and with all the odds stacked against them by the dictators from outer space! Just my rambling thoughts at the start of a long night shift in QA-land!
Comment

Please also check borderline personality disorder on the internet.  True bipolar has fairly long periods of either mania or depression and cycles.  Bipolar is more ongoing pervasive personality of poor coping skills and conflicted interpersonal interactions.


My advice is to realize there is probably nothing you can do to help them or change them other than altering the way YOU deal with THEM for the good of your own mental health!


Comment

Not sure why you needed the computer as I am assuming you already had a computer and the equipment?  Most computers with fairly new Windows system would work okay.  I personally feel the rental fee is kind of a bad idea in the long run at $48.00 a month.  Sounds like you may need a phone line again unless you can get wireless.  You'll have to talk to tech, I guess.


As far as learning and training, are you on DQS? 


comment
With any job anymore be it MT or something such as an engineer, there is no such thing anymore as job security. I myself am 27 having 7 years experience as an MT. I actually got started in MT after my first year of college as I wanted something part-time . . so much for that:) Do I moan and groan sometimes about work, sure, we all do either if you are an MT or not, but at this point in my career I am confident that if I do not feel that I am getting enough work to provide myself with a wonderful life and not just getting along that I can submit my resume with confidence that I will find something to suit my needs.
can you say what the comment was?


I think it was the comment
that you type fast that got everyone's goat. Being an MT is just not that simple and hardly something to just learn on the sly for some "extra money." By the way, most of us at-home MTs actually started out in the workforce and got enough experience to BE ABLE to work from home, not the other way around.
Thanks for the comment but this is...
exactly what I mean. It is like there are those in this field that think just because you can pick on an error "clarity" vs "clearity" it makes you better then the next. I will admit I am not the best speller or and expert in grammer but I am not DUMB and no one should be made to fell that way. Especially if I am looking to the QA for guidance.


COMMENT

Hayseed, Aren't you the gal who did 1700 lines in 6 hours or something like that?  In that case, it's likely you wouldn't have any problem making their quota.  But, how about that hourly rate?  Will they be saving money by putting you on hourly, will you be making more money than when you were doing MT work?  Ask for all the details in writing, would be my advice.  Ask them to also state, in writing, if you can return to MT if you don't like QA.  Congratulations and good luck!!


Comment

This is a good solution; it puts it in their face, so to speak.  I've heard that people have to hear or see something an average of 3 times before it sinks in.  If they receive no feedback, they think everything is okay or totally horrible, depending on their own point of view (this is for all people in all aspects of life; I suspect that doctors will just assume that everything is okay).  If they receive negative feedback with a smile, they tend to believe that improvement is optional.  A more dramatic, serious approach is necessary. 


Comment

My situation may be a little bit different from yours, but you are not alone, and ER reports seems to be the main star.


I don't have any answers, but I'm kind of in the same boat with you.  I have been working on an account that has all worktypes.  I begin working very early in the morning, when I might be the only one working on this account.  The ER reports supposedly have top priority, right after the stat reports.  My problem is that lately I've noticed that once I complete all stat reports and am getting to the good stuff--the ER reports, whoever is managing the queue changes the priority of the more difficult OP reports and consultations, so that they float to the top of the queue, above the ER reports.  This maneuver would sometimes make sense, but the account specs are such that the ER reports have top priority. 


So, then, it takes several more hours to get to the ER reports, at which time there are so many workers on board that I end up getting 1 or 2 ER reports.  I've lately gone from making over $22/hour to a mere $7/hr.  I feel like I've been messed with, simply because I really got used to the account the way it used to be and now someone has come along and purposely made it more difficult for me.  I have the option of signing off, changing my hours, or going elsewhere.  I do have another interview pending after successfully completing the testing at another company.  I know that the grass is not always greener, but there is a limit to what type of treatment that I will tolerate.


Comment

I agree with you. 


This situation seems to be the end result of long years of MTs trying to do their best, while plugging along and accepting the treatment of the facilities, that filtered down to them through the MTSOs, who may or may not be addressing the issues of bad dictators with the facilities, for fear of losing the contracts.  I believe, it is the job of those who have direct contact with the doctors (i.e., those at the facility in the HIM dept).  According to what I have observed, they are not doing this job, and are either clueless, don't care, or enjoy this special power of oppressing the workforce from afar.  It also seems that they are not required to properly train their dictating clinicians.  Some of them are very active, however, in checking reports for proper comma use and such details, and do not hesitate to contact the MTSO to complain when the MT left out a comma, or failed to select the proper date of service on the header, failed to read the doc's mind and did not realize that when he/she coughed in a certain way, it was a clue that he/she wanted a copy sent to Dr. Joe Doe, etc.  Of course, they actually do not pay for headers and footers and they do not provide the MT with enough information to fill in all the details on the header and footer.


I have an egg timer.  I spend exactly 3 minutes trying to figure out a blank or the correct name for a doctor that requires a courtesy copy, etc.  If I cannot accomplish this in 3 minutes, given the lists that I have been provided or internet resources, the report gets a blank and it is sent to the QA department to figure it out.  Each report gets a grand total of 5 minutes for multiple look ups of blanks that are the fault of the dictator or due to me not having enough information to fill in headers, footers, consulting doctors, etc.  If it is my fault because I do not know the terminology, and the word was dictated clearly, I will take more time researching.  If the MTSO wants to address the issues of poor quality dictators/dictations with the facility, that is their choice.


If I were to have my own accounts, I would hope to have a deep pool to draw from so that I could include sanctions for such difficulties in my contract with the option of discontinuing service to those who proved to be so difficult.  However, I do not wish to be a dreamer, and don't think such deep pools exist, at least not in my part of the country, so I haven't even tried this option of having my own accounts.


 


Comment

I"m not sure I understand your comment, and I am not here to debate, but the account that I work on has plenty of difficult dictators, as well as plenty of easier dictators, comparatively.  My point was that you cannot depend on what type of report you will get at any given moment; there is no picking and choosing and the next in line might just change due to major shuffling.  It is not predictable by worktype either.  Whether there is plenty of work depends on how many MTs are working at the time, whatever jobs have been added to the pool, etc.  There is often no work during third shift.


Comment
Don't let the naive and trusting cause you frustration.  It will be their loss in the end.  Per the well-known phrase--The only way for evil to prevail is when people do nothing or continue to choose to remain blind and trust and support those who have proven themselves to not be worthy of trust.
Comment
Unfortunately, the "come around" part does not happen automatically; action is required in order to stimulate a reaction.  I admit to being part of the movement to treat doctors as regular human beings and requiring them to respect us as human beings, as well.
If you don't want to comment so be it...sm
You don't know me, I don't know you. I didn't see the harm.
wry comment
Maybe TravelinMT was just "wryly" commenting. How did I know she had been out of work? If so, why wasn't she commiserating with me, instead? Why did she even bother to read the post or comment at all? I was simply asking for advice, not trying to step on anyone's toes. I am in no way feeling sorry for myself. I am actually working, but will probably be out of a job in several months, so am searching now. I was simply asking about the possibilities of finding work.

I appreciate all the helpful posts, though.

I basically wanted to find out if anyone thought I could still find a job, period. And, if after a month, I should be feeling worried? It is amazing to me how many companies do not respond to resumes sent, so is hard to know where a person stands.

Thanks to all of you who gave me actual advice and encouragement. It is much appreciated.


Wry Comment
Geeze, you have two choices in this life, you can cry in your own misery or you can choose to make it better. I choose to fight, no one owes me a thing in this life. I have a son with a chronic disease and cancer, I am a single parent, I have often worked 3 and 4 jobs at one time. That is how I fight, I do what I need to do to make life the best it can be. AND WHO ARE YOU to decide or question whether or not I should read or answer a post? (The last time I looked this was a open forum on the internet.) That question goes both ways, Why did you post such a stupid question? You asked a question, I gave you an honest answer, Look in India because that is where the majority of our good jobs have gone. I have worked at more than one facility as a consultant knowing/seeing the writing on the wall as their on-site transcription gets out-sourced with promises to the employees that they will be working at home and the next thing they know the hospital says sorry, you have just been laid off. Life is tough for everyone. Suck it up and get over it. If you don't fight to make your life the best that it can be, no one will do it for you. Be grateful you are still working and have time to look, so if it takes you a while at least you still have a paycheck coming in.
Has any one else been mad from a QA comment?
I am just irate.  The first e-mail I opened today was from QA telling me "don't guess".  Boy that sent me through the roof .  I don't guess at anything, and it really bothers me that someone would accuse me of doing so.  Has anyone else ever had that happen to them?   How did you handle it?  I want to call the person and scream at them, but know I can't do that.  I just find it extremely insulting to be accused of guessing on a report, that is like the worst possible insult for an MT. 
Proofreading and had to laugh. sm

In one of my word programs I noticed I apparently typed does not too fast and it came up as "doe snot."  The spellchecker didn't pick it up.


After I got done laughing about the poor female deer with post nasal drip, I entered a quick correct in my expansions.


That's SO funny. Thanks for the laugh!
nm
Need a good laugh? Here goes...

My friend e-mailed me information on this guy posted on a singles dating site.  Here's the scoop on him:



  •  Hasn't worked in over 2 years but "looking as I've run out of money."

  • Wife died theoretically suddenly in September.

  • He's losing his home next month to foreclosure and is looking to move anywhere he can. 

I reckon' that since he has a pulse he considers himself a good catch, eh ladies?  Sounds like a true moocher to me who is looking for someone with a home that he can move into and probably expect you to pay the bills!   I'll stay single forever as opposed to letting someone like that into my life.  I don't know many people who have a spouse die suddenly that are looking to hook up with another person within 2 months... much less the other red flags!  My friend wasn't serious that I should be interested in him - she just thought that I'd appreciate the fact that at least I'm not THAT desperate to hook up with someone!


gotta laugh
I was actually a triple-D which is an F before I had reduction surgery. So was my daughter who also had the surgery!