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re: How do I convert total words to line count? - Posted By: Question?

Based on 65-character line with spaces, I think.

Anyone want to do a group savings club? - Posted By: Please sm

Just trying to drum up a little motivation.

If we pact to do 100 lines a day more each day that we earn and then put that net amount into savings each paycheck, it can add up a bit!

For me, that would be 500 lines a week or $160 a month gross. By the time my taxes are taken out, that's about $131 a month net and THAT adds up to $1572 a year!

Any takers?! See who earns the most for it or heck even stays with it?!

When a doc says the patient is right-handed or left-handed...sm - Posted By: DS

What does that matter? Just curious to know why this is important!

eskiepoo - Posted By: Jam

Looking for an eskiepoo. 19:13:49 said the had white hair all over the house. Thought poos weren't supposed to shed?

How can I manage 2 jobs. I am currently - Posted By: mt

working as an employee with good benefits, but I hate the company.... treated like a doormat. I work as IC part time for another company that I love and am very productive and love the sofware platform. I am considering trying to do the 1000 line requirement for the full-time in order to keep benefits, and then do 1000 lines for the company as IC. How does one juggle this type of situation?

I know this has been discussed before but how long does it take to relisten to reports that you have - Posted By: MT

typed. I know some people do that and some dont. So far I have done okay on QA but if I dont I was just wondering how much extra time per day you figure you need to relisten to reports. I usually do about 30 to 35 medium length reports acute care or 1800 to 2000 lines. What errors do you find mostly when you relisten or is it not worth the extra time it takes. Just curious.

Smart expander? - Posted By: sbMT

Does anyone know of a "smart" expander? One that remembers what you type and makes expansions for you? I think someone said Instant Text does but I'm not sure. Maybe there isn't one? Just wondering!

TIA!

State Boards - Posted By: luv2type

Why don't we all try the State Boards on this site? We could really network. This site has been a big help to me and my endeavors. Thanks to the administrator and all who support it!

Direcway satellite drop-offs all day... - Posted By: Rosie

Is anyone else having problems with their satellite connection this week? After 6 months of no problems I am now getting constant drop-offs until 5 p.m. I am on the west coast and no weather problems. I have called "customer service," but that was beyond frustrating. Dial-up is excruciating to work with after being used to the high-speed. Thanks in advance for any info.

future of medical transcription? - Posted By: mt

I have been doing transcription now for a while, under five years, for a national. How long do you all think it will be until it is a completely a speech recognition technology? My national is definitely trending towards the speech recognition and I just wonder how long it will be until it is totally that platform, and before hospitals and other nationals as a whole start using it mainstream. Medical editing doesn't seem like it will be very lucrative as transcription has been in the past.

A company posted 8-12/cpl not long ago.. - Posted By: (sm)

anyone remember the name of the company or have the link to the job post? I remember seeing it, but cannot seem to find it now. Thanks!

Hand Pain - Posted By: 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!

RE: Dictaphone - Posted By: mommaklown2

I have been hearing a lot of bad things about Dictaphone company. Just wondering if any of you have had any bad dealings with them, maintenance, getting in contact with somebody, etc.. I hear bad from everybody except Dictaphone people.

Does anyone have trouble with TMJ? - Posted By: TMJ sufferer

I have an appointment with an ortho to have it looked at. I have the clicking, bruxism, headaches, jaw fatigue and pain, loss of hearing on one side, and now neck pain and crepitus when I turn my head. The pain radiates all the way down my back. I'm so scared that i'm in the last stages and can only be helped with all sorts of surgery. Has anyone here been fitted with any sort of device that reverses this effectively? It makes my life miserable.

know of any safe hairstyle sites? - Posted By: sm

I got a fatal virus last year from a hair site -- would sure like to look at hairstyles or 'try them on' without the worry. Thanks.

Sony M2000 transcriber question - Posted By: petuniaann

Just bought a Sony M2000 microcassette transcriber from Goodwill for $6.99 with all accessories. (buy of the year!!) Can someone tell me how to erase tapes? I currently use a Panasonic, so I'm not quite sure how it works. I'm sure the answer is right in front of my eyes. Thanks alot!!

How is Spheris? - Posted By: timeforchange

How is Spheris to work for? Flexibility? Pay? Benefits? Good workflow/steady accounts? Currently with MQ and it's been getting scary. Please give me any info! I'm really interested in health insurance benefits and cost for a family per month. Thanks MTs!

DayQuil? - Posted By: HS

Patient refers to an once-a-month injection for calcium, but it sounds like "DayQuil."

Any ideas on what this could be would be appreciated.

I am a bit computer dumb, but what would I need with a laptop to work while at the hospital with my - Posted By: dad - wireless, pedal? nm

nm

Need advice about contract - Posted By: Pammie

Any helpful hints or tips would be great (maybe a website, etc.). I have started working from home for a local doctor. He and I both were talking about a confidentiality agreement to protect me and him. He has a mom and pop (just he and his wife) family practice. I told him I would try to type up a contract for work and/or release of liability to protect his practice. I want him to know I am totally trustworthy and want to follow all HIPAA laws, regulations, etc. Does anyone know how to word a contractor's agreement between a doctor and a transcriptionist/biller/coder. I haven't started coding/billing yet but will in three months after I finish some schooling. Please give me any advice or direction. Thanks.

Safetype Keyboard? - Posted By: ouchie

Anyone out there use the Safetype keyboard? I'm having some trouble with my wrists and forearms. Ergonomic curved keyboards help somewhat, but not enough. I still have a lot of discomfort. Was looking into the Safetype, but wanted some opinions first from someone who has used it. Thanks!

medical malpractice insurance - Posted By: Amber W.

I was wondering if anyone knows a good insurance agency to talk to or get online info about, for medical malpractice insurance. I am in school right now and I have to get info. on cost and coverage of medical malpractice insurance for a project, and I am having trouble finding a good website. So if someone could give me some info. that would be great.

How does one get into radiology transcription? - Posted By: thank you.

I've heard that it pays quite well. Is that true? Is there a crash or online course I can take to learn? Is it terribly difficult to learn? Also, if companies won't hire inexperienced rad MTs, how do you get the experience?

12 pin Sony foot pedal, adaptor? - Posted By: Dawn R

I use it with a Sony micro dictator/transcriber but I'm finally jumping into the 21st century. Anyone know if I can find a USB adaptor for such a foot pedal or will I need to invest in a new foot pedal? If so, where should I get one? I'd like to buy one locally, or do I need to but it online?

Thanks!

Can anyone tell me the best company to work for if one wishes to do only do op notes...sm - Posted By: op girl

I have 30 years experience in MT work and for the last few years have been able to do exclusively operative notes which is what I love. I have been very happy with current company but have to start my work day early in the a.m. and now my account has been overstaffed to the point there is no work in the morning. While there is plenty of work late in the day, there is nothing in the morning and so I feel I must look for another company for at least part time op work initially and if it works out I could go full time. I have left my email address so please feel free to contact me. Thank you very much for any help you can offer.

lanier system sm - Posted By: trying to help out

Please help. Our Transcriptionist left abruptly, and we are needing to acess the files to pull a medical report. We have the job in que, but we are not able to get any further. Can someone walk us through getting this thing typed.

Silly question - Posted By: Carla

I see the abbreviations of MTSO, ICs and am wondering what these are. Feel like I should know, but never really worked for a company other than a Hospital.

Thanks Carla

Has anyone on this board's work slowed down this January. MT work that is. - Posted By: Curious

Got several friends with slow-down of work but they are MQMTs Wondered how the rest of the MT world is doing.

Please help - Stedmans/WP 5.1 question... - Posted By: Concerned MT

I recently switched to a new computer (Windows XP) and for some reason I cannot get my Stedmans spellchecker to work. I use WP 5.1 dos and my Stedmans is version 6 for dos. In WP location of files, it shows Stedmans correctly but when I run spell check, some really ancient version shows up. Any ideas? Thanks.

Anyone read Letter to Editor in ADVANCE see message - Posted By: Kathy Strykk

February 26, 2007 issue? Two letters regarding MT and AAMT.

any transcriptionists been disabled by - Posted By: CTS? see inside

I am an avid gamer and a MT. I'm only 30 and already my wrists get sore periodically. I'm wondering if there is a point where I will be disabled due to transcribing and difficulties with their hands and what to do to prevent it. TIA for replies

Just offered an IC position at 7 cpl, lol.... - Posted By: tia

Could be worse, I saw one advertise at 6 cpl

Unemployment benefits - Posted By: IC--not by choice

I'm hoping someone can help with this question before I call my local employment office tomorrow. I was terminated last week as a med records employee with a small practice, but they still want me to do the transcription work as an IC at home. I agreed, because some income is better than none! In my letter of termination, it stated that because of the terms of my employment and since I was still in the probationary period when let go, I could not apply for unemployment benefits.

The more I think about this I can't understand it. I've worked as a temp in the past, was laid off after approximately 2 months, and still applied for and received unemployment. Anyone have a similar situation? Help!

Thanks very much!

Supposed to be scared? - Posted By: GaPeach

I went to a dermatologist's office about a week ago. The PA saw me, guess physician on vacation. Lesion on face, was told possibly to have morphens and PA wanted to do biopsy. Have been MT for over 30 years but had never heard this diagnosis. When asked what it was, was told "possible connective tissue disorder," could be one of several things and not to look it up "because it would scare me." Then is when I was really scared, thinking malignancy, worst thing that came to mind. I went back this week for results of biopsy (not diagnostic of morphens) and told PA I did not look up as she did scare me. She then said that was what she and the physician "were supposed to do, scare the patients." I shook my head no, saying she was the first person in the medical field to have ever scared me. I had lots of lab work done to make sure this is not the diagnosis and go back next week for those but was given a hand out - if I had read this from the start would have thought did not fit most of the criteria listed and would have slept a lot better for the week. By the way, hope they don't give this to lay persons. Asked my husband to read a paragraph to see if he could comprehend it and he said absolutely not. Apparently morphens of the face supposedly sometimes related to scleroderma (which I did know) but mild form and this is the one I really love, when people die, usually die from something other than that. Know would not do any good to say something to physician about the "scare part" - would never be believed, my word against hers but after the lab work think that will be the last visit there.

sm - Posted By: cj

Happy Monday?? I'm new to the site, have been an MT for 8 years...just wondering, what does the sm stand for? I see it a lot and I know someone answered that question recently but can't find it. Thanks

Took MTSO to court. sm - Posted By: I Won!!!

She only owed me a little, but refused to pay. Left post if I should sue or not, and I did!!!

Lawyer is waiting for check from MTSO, so I should get it shortly thereafter. Who knew???

Been away for a bit.... - Posted By: Silly Sally

What do I need, absolutely positively need to get brushed up on? Tell me where to go to get the info I will require. New rules, etc.

I'm offered a new accout using MP3 player..... - Posted By: Slinky

The provider is using the player with his curernt MT. The parent company wants me to assume his account. I've asked what method he is using currently to get his dictation to the MT to see what I need on my end. I already have a Bytescribe wave player that plays MP3s, so that is not a problem. What other software can be used to get the dictation from him to me and still fall within HIPAA guidelines?

I am considering going from SE to IC, sm - Posted By: MQer

I currently work for MQ, but since there are so many changes I am considering going to work for a company as an IC. I have never worked IC and know nothing about it. I know, from talking to the CEO yesterday, that I will have to start invoicing. I also know a big difference is taxes. I am considering opening a special savings account to deposit estimated taxes, but am not sure what percentage would be appropriate. I will also probably buy a new computer this year, along with reference materials. Is all of this deductable? Any information you can give me on becoming an IC would be most appreciated

Is anyone else having this problem - Posted By: with the MTStars site? (sm)

When I click on posts I have not read they normally change from blue to purple to indicate that they have been read, but since last night this is not happening. Just curious if others are experiencing the same trouble.

Is medical coding a dying profession like MT? - Posted By: Desperate to make a living somhow

My income is in the crapper and keeps getting worse and worse. I love working at home, been doing it for over a decade, so looking into something I can do at home. So what about medical coding? Offshore problems? Technology advances pushing out the "real person" coder? Any disadvantages? Worth learning and getting into at this point?

Inscribe - Posted By: Laura

Has anyone heard of the company Inscribe? If so what is your opinion on them. Thanks

anyone have animals cute/quirky habits? - Posted By: pet silliness

I live next to a manufactured lake, and there are dozens of ducks and birds hanging around there. My dog usually likes to go up to them or chase them. He also loves people, runs up to them too, very friendly and can be generally laid back. Although, when he comes across a stray feather lying on the ground, he will literally approach it like a mouse would a mouse trap, and then jump back about two or three feet, and then veer as far away around it as possible. This has been going on for a couple months, no idea why. Today, I picked up a feather and set him on my lap and brought it close to him and said "its okay" and right when I touched him with it, he squirmed, almost flipped completely in the air, and tore himself loose from his collar and ran far away from me (never does that anytime, sticks to me like glue), so now he walks around the lake like its a mine field, jumps and wimpers even if he touches a feather. The strangest thing in the world to me.

word expander program sm - Posted By: KSMT

Pros and cons of word Expander programs that work with Chartscript? PC ShortHand as opposed to Instant Text? Which is better? I have downloaded PC shorthand for a 30 day trial, but to me its a little slow. Any ideas? Thanks

Is the recipe board part of MTStars??? sm - Posted By: AzMT

I got a great recipe off the main board last week and my family just loved it. I go to the recipe board and there are the words of songs posted along with some recipes. Why is that?

installing an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) - Posted By: Any recommendations?

I am preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. What concerns me is a power outage causing me to be unable to work for long periods of time. I have just purchased a generator but also am wondering if anyone has any information on installing an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) to their computer which is apparently a battery that will run your computer. I work for a national and wonder if this is permitted?

Anyone?

QA Editor Pay? - Posted By:

I've just been offered a QA editor position with the pay being .05 cpl.....Is this average pay or below average? Thanks!

What is FTP site and do employers provide this? - Posted By: Confused

I heard that they have this site and will give you a username and password. Or is this something I have to put together myself. If so, anyone have any information on how to set this up? Thank you.

Brightness screen all of a sudden - Posted By: What did I do now?

appearing on screen while typing report. It is black bordered, blue inside that and 100% brightness- goes away and comes right back. How to get rid of for good?

Need advice on what to do with a cat. sm - Posted By: M

I just went through a divorce last year, so financially I haven't exactly gotten my feet completely on the ground yet, and then in September I started running out of work which made things a lot worse. (I work for MQ). I just sold my house, and I am moving into an apartment where the rent is half my mortgage. I plan to go back to school so I can get out of MTing all together.

My problem is this stray cat that I have. He started hanging around our neighborhood a few years ago. He is the sweetest thing. I didn't want a cat at all, but my kids started giving him hot dogs, and he has never left. He's a great cat, never messes in the house, never scraches the furniture, and loves my kids. I got him fixed 4 months ago in anticipation of making him a housecat so that we could take him to the apartment with us, but so far it hasn't worked.

He has his routine: Every morning he follows all the neighbor kids to whichever car in the carpool on the block is taking them to school and then watches them leave. He toms around the neighborhood all day, and then when I get home from picking the kids up from school, he is always on my front porch. Then he spends the entire afternoon going in and out the front door with the kids.

I've tried keeping him in the house and not letting him leave, and he cries and cries. Then when I get exasperated and finally let him out, he just lays down on the front porch and goes to sleep.

I don't know what to do with him. It is breaking my heart that I'm probably going to have to find a home for him. Any ideas on how to make him a housecat?