Archive for the ‘Tips on Typing’ Category

Medical Transcription Tips

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Just a few odds and ends.

Most bacteria is italicized.

We do not use contractions  such as can’t or won’t. Type out the whole thing, cannot; will not, etc.

If the dictator starts a numbered list in the assessment, impression, or plan and goes to the next item without saying the number, go ahead and type in the number. 

If there are two numbers in a row such as twelve 4-0 Ethilon sutures, always have one of the numbers in digit format and the other one typed out. This helps to avoid confusion.

If the provider states an abbreviation, then type it as such, do not expand out. CABG would be typed just like that. Do not expand.  

Posted in Editing and Proofreading, Tips on Typing, Transcription Tips | No Comments »

Medical Transcription and Doctor uses incorrect wording?

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Q: Having had lots of experience in writing,  I become nervous when I review the preferred formats page on the Med Workshops site and in the first line, see this: “SUBJECTIVE: The patient is a 35-year-old female who complain of a cough for one week.”
Clearly, the word should be complains. Also, “one week” should be “1 week” per the MT Workbook.  What should I do when dictation is grammatically incorrect?

A: Good catch.  We change the medical transcription samples often.  The doctor may dictate “complain”  instead of  “complains”.  We use real-life sample reports.  During your training you must transcribe verbatim. The “one week” is correct in this instance.  I know I know!  There can be two or more correct ways and this is the preferred way—- that’s life in Medical Transcription.   We can’t change it.  If you went through our program and didn’t experience these inconsistencies, we wouldn’t be introducing you to the real world; the work world.  As the mother of Medical Transcription, Vera Pyle said,  “there are often several acceptable ways to transcribe the same report”.

Posted in Editing and Proofreading, Grammar and Style, Newbie Medical Transcriptionists, Tips on Typing, Transcription Tips, Your Doc | No Comments »

Medical Transcription punctuation won’t make or break your career- here is why

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Q:  I’ve seen several different rules and guidelines regarding punctuation while going through the course.  Which one is correct?  Why are different sources saying to punctuate things differently?

A:  Punctuation won’t make or break your career as an MT.  The reason is that it can be very subjective.  It’s good to know the basics and then be flexible when you go to work with your future employer – they will determine “house rules” which override all other sources of information. 
Stressing over punctuation and grammar too much is counter productive because there is no universal answer in many cases.  There can be 2 correct answers or even more!  It is a much better idea to move along more quickly and keep the Big Picture in mind; you don’t have to be perfect.  The Big Picture goal is to be employed so you can use your flexible skills.  You can use these quizzes to learn several ways of doing things.  The AAMT Book is excellent and is our style bible, but it is trumped by House Rules.  Many of our examples are taken from our employers.  One of our objectives is to introduce you to the variety in Medical Transcription so you can adapt more easily once you are employed.

Posted in Editing and Proofreading, Study Tips, Tips on Typing, Transcription Tips | No Comments »