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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

and this is how our records are transcribed =(

Posted By: Unless this is a joke. AzMT on 2006-11-01
In Reply to: Employee vs IC - em-tee

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okay, york hospital said they had delivery records, but no prenatal records. sm
they had no idea who she practiced with or anything like that and of course SIL doesn't know any name other than Freundel. i am also a midwife besides being an MT and in order for me to take her given her bicornuate uterus, i have to have her records. i guess delivery records is better than nothing, LOL, but i have to have her prenatal records. i wonder if there is a clinic there or something that med students rotate through. i couldn't even find ms. freundel on AMA, but she may not be through with her training yet either and that is probably why.
patient records and prisoner records
Does anybody know if our USA prison system is keeping prisoner records in the good old USA, or are those records offshore outsourced too? I am just curious because it seems to me that law enforcement in general does not offshore records, and I was wondering about prisoner records? If anybody knows, please post. Thanks in advance.
If you have not transcribed using BOS
guidelines that is probably the problem. See which version they are using and get a copy.
I have not strictly transcribed in about 10 yrs.sm
I work full-time doing medical transcription but I also have other duties that do not involve transcribing so I don't keep up with lines or anything like that; I get paid by the hour.  I have worked 3-4 hours in the evenings for one of the national companies for a little over a month but I can't seem to get my line count up.  I've only been able to do around 100 lph.  I know it will take longer than it would if I worked 8 hours just transcribing.  I would like to quit the other job and just work from home transcribing but I'm afraid if I can't get my line count up I won't be able to maintain my current income.  I'm not a blazing fast typist, I probably type 75-80 wpm without any kind of expanders.  Any helpful advice or encouragement on whether you guys think at my typing speed it is within reason to think I can make it to 150-200 lph?  I've done straight transcription in the past but I never had to keep up with lines.  I have 30+ years of experience.  I just need to decide whether to keep things the way they are now or take the chance on income by production only. BYW, I transcribe acute care for the national.
Your transcribed report would be your testimony, if anybody, for whatever SM
bizarre reason decided your input would be needed. Why the heck do you think you'd get called to court?
I got charged $75 for a copy of my old MRs, even though I transcribed it!!! n/m
:p
QA Help: Earlier I transcribed a report where
the doctor used a really offensive curse phrase.  He was actually quoting what the patient said (ER report).  He said place this in quotes.  It was a really ugly thing to say (mother F word).  Even though it's in quotes as what the patient apparently said, I felt uncomfortable actually transcribing it.  And believe me I'm no prude.  I've heard it all (and said some of it).  However, it just seemed really unprofessional and not appropriate in a medical document. It's not like it was a psych report.  In fact, it really had no relevance whatsoever, in my opinion, but I could be wrong I guess.  So,  I left a blank.  But now I'm thinking, was that really not my call?  Should I have just transcribed it?  What would any of you out there have done?  QA?  What do you advise in cases like this?  It's happened before but never as filthy as this.
Contact the clients you transcribed for
n/m
VA accts transcribed offshore
My first editing job was for a company located in Virginia that has since closed and one of their largest accounts was for a network of VA Hospitals. I always wondered if they (the VA) had any clue that the actual transcription was being done in India.
It is 10 reports transcribed for free.

The OP states the account goes through transcriptionists.  I wonder why?  The OP states later on in the thread they go through transcriptionists. 


I'm trying to protect Lisa from getting abused from the get-go.  All she has to say is "my charge is" and go from there. 


Too bad if they were already transcribed.  Does that mean Lisa should take the loss?  NO.  Absolutely not. 


Again, read above where the OP states "they can't seem to keep a transcriptionist." 


To the OP:  Charge them!  You won't regret it.  If you are an IC, you have every right to charge them. 


Plus, look at rockinMT's post.  She bent over backwards for an account and what happened?  It turns out she was spending more time than it was worth. 


These are all my opinions, and I am trying to give my opinion on what the OP should do in regards to reports that she transcribed and should, yes, be paid for since she was not aware ahead of time and especially because it is a new account. 


What do I know?  Ya know?  I mean really?  Just looking out for the best interest of the OP, but hey, that's just me. 


The reports that are transcribed get scanned into
the EMR record. They do the same thing with the lab slips, x-ray reports, etc. The transcription is still performed in the usual way it has always been done.
I have transcribed from handwritten notes
and it was a nightmare.  Sometimes the info was missing and my neck hurt like heck looking down and up, down and up.  I charged per page.  This dr went from dictating to these 5 page forms that he would fill out when he saw the patient.  He scribbled and it was horrible.  It wrecked my neck, so I gave it up.  I was better off straight transcribing at lower pay than when I had to keep looking up and down from a page and no a stand for the forms didn't help because my eyes kept leaving the monitor, so it was hard to get back in gear only to have to take my eyes back to the handwritten form. 
MTs by definition are hired to transcribed - sm

what the doctor dictates.  We can't be expected to have to catch their mistakes - they're supposed to catch their own.  That's why they're being paid the big bucks and we're note.  Years back, we weren't expected to know all this stuff -- the meaning of every word we transcribed, the normal/abnormal lab values, what a particular drug is used for, and I could go on and on, and we were paid better, appreciated more & respected more.


I do agree that we must know how to spell medical words and words of English usage.  That's what they get for their 7-8-8.5 cents per line.  I do NOT believe that we should have to look up doctor's names, on our time, when the dictator has it right in front of him/her and would take him/her only 2-3 seconds to spell it, thus also avoiding any confusion.  But I guess that would be too easy.


I didn't always feel this way.  Years back, when I was treated as a professional and compensated accordingly, I performed as such.  If I want to flag a doc's mistake, I do it for the PATIENT'S sake (but for the grace of God it could be me or a loved one lying in that hospital bed) - and as a courtesy to the doctor.  But they really expect too much for too little.


I swear, I just transcribed Bill Cosby! sm
you know that voice that Bill Cosby does, kinda sounds like he's drunk?  Well, this doc I just transcribed sounded like that!!! and it's workers' comp, no less. Just had to vent a little!  It's still too early for all this!
Not an MQ employee but have always transcribed via turnaround pool.
The office manager I worked for set it up so they could bill faster, i.e., ERs in 24 hours or less, op notes, discharge summaries, etc. She said it made for a better cash flow for the hospital. That's probably what MQ is trying to accomplish, maybe per client request.
Well, I just transcribed 1500 lines in 3 hours. sm

I work on the same account every day, same dictators, lots of templated reports I did myself and put them into auto correct.  I get up early, start at 7 am and today I was done by 10 am.  Cleaning the house now.  Also, the line pay is slightly higher than most, so 1500 lines is fine for me today. 


On harder days when the account is really behind,  I get up and vacuum the house after 3 hours of transcribing then come back for 1 hour.  If things are caught up, I stop for the day.  If not, I will go back in the evening. 


I can't sit for 6-8 hours straight.  Making $160 bucks in 3 hours is good for me and enough.   Tomorrow is another day!


Use templates and short cuts - that will help!  I have whole reports in my auto correct, but you have to listen through and change and correct things as each patient is a different case. 


I do have to tell you, I do not get this many lines every day in such short a time.  It just happened that today was a good day.


 


Hope this helps.


copies of previously transcribed reports
What I always found helped, make copies of reports from the medical record charts.  Make a few copies of each doctor and keep them in your desk that way you can refer back to the report when doing the doctor.  You will get the hang of it.  No hospital wants to go through the money and time hiring someone just to let them go right away.  Usually you get about a three to six month probation period. 
Guidelines are one thing, but if your client wants it transcribed a certain way, just do it.

p


My grandmother transcribed part time into her mid 70s.
,
I am filling out a job app and they want transcribed words per minute.
Thanks.
I have transcribed for doctors in the past who have dictated...sm
that the patient is heterosexual. I'm not much on what is politically correct or not, I just transcribe what the doctor dictates.
Pull up the whole period for which transcribed...see more inside
Say July 1 was the first day and July 14 was the last day - are you able to do a date-specific count? If so, get that on the screen, hit the "Print Screen" button (above SysRq next to Scroll Lock). Then open a Word document or go to Accessories and get either Word Pad or Notebook. Do a control C, which is the Word command for copy. This will copy the whole screen shot into that new document. Go to "file" on the task bar, do a "Save as" and name it what you want, say 07012008to07142008 or something so you will be able to recognize it. This will now give you a document that you can email to their payroll period with a nice little message something to the tune of "WHAT GIVES" or other equally professional question - just kidding, but now you have proof of what your total lines were and a bargaining tool. If you can only do it 1 day at a time, you can still use the screen shot method, but you will have a lot of documents to email if it comes to that.

Be sure to question them verbally by phone first as that might clear up any confusion. If not, then you can tell them YOUR line count and ask why your figures are so different. Just a thought. Good luck!


Meds are not given based on transcribed reports
Meds in hospitals are not given based on what is in transcribed reports. There are so many errors with transcribed material that everyone expects there to be errors in meds, either because it was dictated incorrectly or transcribed incorrectly.

Physicians write orders for drugs, treatments, tests, and procedures. They're in a different part of the record entirely. They're either handwritten or they are in electronic form.

That's not saying there are no medication administration errors, but just saying the likelihood of an error stemming from a transcribed report are almost nil.


"For 30 years, I've transcribed things by what is..SM

correct."   This is where the problem is.  Do you know that some of the most stubborn, difficult, argumentative, inflexible MTs I have ever met in the course of my career are the ones who parrot that particular sentence?


What was done or has been done for 30 years is not necessarily the correct way now.  Language has changed.  With the advent of VR, the way we transcribe is now more of a verbatim way than ever.


These 30-year MTs are still adding 's on to Down syndrome, still typing out the word "centimeter" even though it is no longer accepted as anything but line-padding....get my drift?


We're paying 9 cpl and everything transcribed plus spaces is paid for.
/
Depends. Did you just study or have you actually transcribed lots of tapes as sm

part of your training?  If you can't put down on your resume that your home study included multiple tapes in many specialties, etc. you are going to be hard pressed to find a good job. 


On the other hand, you might be able to type some orthopedics or pt notes (and then at least have some experience to put on your resume.)  Orthopedic doctors have TONS of dictation.  Besides their clinic notes, etc, most of them do IME (independent medical evaluations) which are fairly easy to do.  You'll need some good ortho books to get you started, but most will let you start without the experience if you can demonstrate you know the terminology.  Good luck.  Get some experience and the doors will start opening REALLY fast for you.  Sometimes, taking a low paying job is okay in the beginning just to get the experience.  If you can possibly get in a PCP's office to help out with clinic notes (even offering to to backlog/vacation stuff, you will get good experience and your resume will look great for the future stuff that comes up.  Good Luck to You.  Hang in there and learn everything you can.


Let the docs use their reports transcribed in India as a defense! LOL
The doc can sit there while the personal injury lawyer shows the jury a grieving family and the messed up report.
US MTs should not accept sweat shop wages or conditions. We are providing a service to them! We are their first defense!:) :) :)
If US MTs stoped working for low wages, the physicians who value patient safety and their livelihood would pay a descent wage. The other ones can try to explain the report being done in India to the personal injury lawyer tearing him apart.


IMO, you violated a patient's confidentiality by even posting about this - that you transcribed t
I know you didn't give any personal info, but even mentioning this in a public forum on the "world wide web"  - I don't know, I would consider that a violation of medical record confidentiality.  I know some may post a sentence or a blooper or something, but this is probably something I would have kept to myself... I am sure you thought what an interesting coincidence when you show the show, but my opinion is you should have kept it to yourself, and if I was the transcription supervisor at your hospital and I found out you had posted on this.... well I would think that would be reason for discipline.  No offense meant, just my opinion. 
Here is my understanding of conversions of time dictated to transcribed

I was told once that the ratio of dictated to transcribed minutes was approximately 1:4 for an average MT for average dictation.  So, if you've been given 300 minutes of dictation it might take you 1200 minutes to finish it, divided by 60 minutes equals about 20 hours.  Obviously this is just an estimate and could very depending on a lot of factors, but this might give you some idea.


Another conversion I've heard is that one 65-character line equals 6 seconds of audio and so 1 minute of audio equals 10 lines.  So, if you are charging by 65-character line, you may be looking at 3000 lines or so, which when using the above formula would have you typing at about 150 lines per hour for 20 hours, giving you about 3000 lines.


Sounds like this is very doable, typing for 7-8 hours per day if you have until the end of Wednesday.  If it has to be back by Wednesday morning, you will have to work 10+ hours per day on it today and tomorrow.


;)


Christine


Thank you for response. :( I figured it was nearly impossible for transcribed lines.
I think my co. wants me to quit...
They don't remove eyes based on transcribed medical reports. SM

Hate to burst your bubble - we're important, but not that important.


I take great pride in doing great work and doing a bunch of it.


Yes, you can get the records. sm
First of all, let me say congratulations on getting out of a bad situation. I've been there and done that, and I know that it's not easy. Everyone seems to think that it's just an automatic response to leave, and no one seems to understand why a spouse would stay after something like that, but unless they've been there themselves, they just don't understand how hard it is. So {{big hugs}} to you and stay strong.

Now, as far as the records... yes, they are public and you can request them. You need to know the names of the towns/cities where he's lived and where he may have been charged before, and then simply call the court clerk there to request any and all documents.

As far as him having scratched himself to try to show you were the aggressor, I wouldn't even worry about it. That's a common tactic that abusers use to try to shift the blame. It won't work. He's not as slick as he thinks he is.... anyone who's dealt with abusers before knows that this is a pretty common trick that they use.

Please, stay strong and keep yourself safe. I've been there, and I know it's not easy. You were with this person because you loved them, and that doesn't just magically disappear once they hit you. It would be much easier if it did. Try to prepare yourself for the inevitable crying, apologizing, swearing he'll get help, etc. It can all be very believable and convincing, but trust yourself and your instincts, and if you need to talk, I'm here.
Can top that... in my mom's records
the pt is a 52 yo woman of "advanced age"... it put about 10 years on her when she read it... I don't think she would have been near as upset with the doctor if he had performed the wrong surgery as she was about that one....LOL
Even if ALL records are on EMR, there will
still be a need for MTs. For facilities not on VR the reports still have to be typed and the ones doing VR need editors. An EMR does not mean there is no need for MTs, just means that the records will be computerized for easier access.
I have also gotten my records for sm
hospitalizations for a chronic illness (all 64 admissions) and the records are a mess. But its not with BOS errors, it is with gross medical errors!!!!!

I think the so-called standardization should be that these places hire MTs that know what the heck they are doing. The hospitals and clients can figure out their own account specifics. I have hired plenty of MTs in my career and no way would I turn a good MT away who knows their "medical stuff" but doesn't know the specifics of the BOS! Thats like cutting off your nose to spite your face which is what htese companies are doing. I think they are more worried about the BOS because the people doing the hiring now dont' even know how to do MT themselves. I guess the only thing they can relate to and know anything about is that doggone BOS!
Doctor's records
When a physician retires or otherwise closes his practice, he must offer his patients the opportunity to pick up a copy of their records, which he may or may not charge for photocopying.  The original records must be kept by the physician for a period of 7 years after the practice closes.
Digital Records - SM
Most come with software and a docking station and software.  He would need to dock the recorder and transfer the files to you, either via e-mail or send them to a secure FTP site. If you order it through Transcription Gear, it comes with really cool software, including a player for you.
It's not so much as my records personally....
it's the idea of a large group of United States records being sent because if they can find a way to use it against our country, they will.
What do you mean, prisoner records? (sm)
Most medical records are handwritten. All records having to do with crime, time served, etc., are computerized. Many states have web sites that allow you to access the records and see if people are still in or released. What would there be to offshore?

Records for working as an IC?

I have been fortunate enough to work at only one place now for 7 years and be happy, BUT things have not been the greatest lately.  I am considering taking a position with another company part time, but it would be an IC position.


My question is, are there any special records I have to keep for tax purposes and so forth working as an IC?  I know I am responsible for my own taxes, right?


Any advice or info is appreciated.  I have never worked as an IC before, so I feel a little green on this topic.


Illegal records
I worked for a hospital years ago and sometimes the dictation did not come through our system correctly even though the doc knew he dictated it. We had several docs who absolutely REFUSED to re-dictate, stating they dictated once and that was it. Several times, I personally had charts out of the hospital (which would scare me now to do this) at my boss' request and made up or gleaned from the chart the discharge summary. This was an orthopedic doc that I also worked for, by the way, so I practically knew what he was going to say before he said it. Several of us did quite a few charts like this as some of the docs WOULD NOT, absolutely WOULD NOT re-dictate and we needed the discharge summary and/or op report in the report. Scary or not, we did it. Don't know as I would do it now, though.
School records
My husband works at a school, and I can verify that school records are legally confidential, just like medical records. Only authorized personnel have access. I do not ever remember giving family history information, but schools now are required to have a nurse on staff who handles any medications the child is on, etc. I do know schools are required to provide physical therapy and speech therapy if a student needs it, as my child has cerebral palsy and had to have PT. The school was required to either provide it there or provide transportation to a facility where she could receive it. I thought this was a bit ridiculous because I thought that was my responsibility, but I guess the state feels like some chldren would not receive the help they need otherwise.
Old patient records

Does anyone know when you no longer have an account what do you do with the old records.  Can they be deleted because they are no longer your account or do you have to save them in case the account ever needs them?  All their notes over the years have either been printed and delivered or emailed to them and I don't keep them past a year.


Old patient records
When I closed up my accounts, I always gave the reports I saved on CDs back to the clinics. After all, I didn't need them any longer.
Health records

Where can I locate the AHDI recommendation on length of time for MT business to retain health records?


 


If it's ok with you if your health records
go to some filthy disgusting third-world country, at the expense of your own job and livelihood, be my guest. FYI HIPAA laws are only for this country. they can do whatever they want with your private health records. It's not just fires. The QA sucks, communication barriers suck, economic consequences of MTs who have lost their jobs BECAUSE of greedy Indian MTs,.... List goes on. Go ahead and be a bleeding heart, but don't be surprised when your job security stops beating as well.
It's horrible, all old records mean nothing sm
Our docs' private practice uses this now. As patients we asked where our old records were as no more charts and we both had very serious illnesses. Told they are in the basement should they have to refer but were asking questions they should have known the answers to. It was as if we never existed on the face of the earth to them after 18 years. I'm disgusted, it's like your past history means nothing to them. I would like to slap them but I can't. Jeesh, what next? The pharmacy now connects electronically to them and we were told not to call for Rx anymore, just call the pharmacy. The pharmacy said it could take up to a week. We have to call and remind them to check their computer as we are waiting for a refill okay. Robotic! Electronic supermarket checkouts, Rx's, digital phones, no people. Even the casino uses paper tickets now instead of money coming out. It sure goes in as money though! And if it ever does come out in a ticket, you have to go to another "machine" to get the money. Don't gamble but once or twice a year and just a sign of the times, everywhere you go, no people - just robotic machines. Surgery included! Detachment from people!
Just because the records go overseas
does not mean the laws are being broken. Granted, they cannot be enforced, however, if the company doing the overseas transcription does not follow the guidelines, then something might be done. However, unless there are specific cases, you cannot say laws are being broken. I am sure their contracts state they have to abide by our laws.
medical records on the net
I think this drive to put medical records on the net will ultimately put us all out of work.
Are old records from AAMT available??? sm
Silly question but 18 yrs as CMT, tons of CME's (overly done) and president of local chapter for years. Was that all for nothing?? Hate to even ask!
Electronic Medical Records?? What do you think? SM

Ok, so I went to my doctor's office today and noticed that they just installed a computer station for all doctors in the clinic to start doing their own records while they are visiting you!  What do you guys think?? Is this the end of our profession or is our profession going turn it to something else..like editing those reports that the doctors have to type.


Is this a real problem or will it be many years from now before it effects us?  Let me know your thoughts.


Thanks....