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Monday, June 25, 2007

Free Medical Transcription Training Program for the Poor 2

Free Medical Transcription Training Program for the Poor 1

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Funny Transcription Errors

Transcribed: 42-year-old male who was delivering girl who is at the apical factory
Dictated : year-old male who was delivering groceries at the pickle factory

Hospital closing its transcription department for outsourcing

A lot has changed since 1963 when Pamela Denny joined the former Nashua Memorial Hospital, now Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, as its first medical transcriptionist.

In the 1960s, doctors dictated their notes into bulky tape recorders and transcriptionists typed the information using manual typewriters.

Eventually, the electric typewriter replaced the manual one, allowing the transcriptionist to type more quickly and with fewer errors. In time, the computer came along, making the typewriter obsolete.

Now, at the dawn of voice-recognition technology, the entire process depends on increasingly advanced equipment that allows transcriptionists to do more work at a faster pace.

As a result, the job Denny has done with pride and love for almost 30 years will be eliminated this week when Southern New Hampshire Medical Center closes it transcription department.

The hospital, which for years has sent out a large portion of its transcription, has made arrangements to outsource the work to a national service. Two of the nine employees in the department will remain at the hospital to oversee the new operation.

Denny isn’t one of them.

“I have so loved it there and so loved the people I worked with,” Denny said, speculating that her job was cut to save the hospital money.

But hospital officials said the decision was based on the growing volume of transcription and the need for a quicker turnaround.

“It’s about patient care and the inability on our part to meet the demand for transcription internally,” said Rick Duguay, vice president for clinical and support services at the hospital. “It’s not a cost-cutting measure, not something we take lightly where employees are involved.”

Indeed, the hospital has been outsourcing about 85 percent of its transcription for a number of years, Duguay said, explaining the volume of work and the need for quicker turnaround drove the decision.

What the hospital gains in speed and volume, however, it may lose in quality, Denny said, pointing out the national service will used transcriptionists who work alone from their homes.

In an office setting, transcriptionists help each other. If one is unable to identify a medical term or other word she has heard, she will ask a colleague to listen for her.

“At home, it’s not the same,” Denny said, adding contracted employees aren’t paid to look up a word or ask a question, pursuits that take time away from meeting production quotas.

“The quality of the work suffers,” she said.Advances in technology, and with them the capacity to do more work at a faster rate, also come at the price of human relationships. In the old days, Denny said, transcriptionists and the doctors for whom they transcribed were colleagues, and friends.

“It was a really intimate atmosphere. We used to see the doctors all the time,” she said, recalling how the physicians with whom she worked regularly invited her to have coffee with them in the hospital coffee shop.

“Now, no doctor comes into our place.”

Indeed, transcriptionists say no one has had a better understanding of what they do than the doctors who for years have forwarded their dictation, depending on the employees in the transcription department to accurately record their notes.

“Back then, it was a lot more like family,” Denny said.

For the uninitiated, transcription conjures images of women wearing headphones and sitting at desks typing.

What remains a mystery to most people is what it takes to do the job: In addition to the ability to type quickly, a transcriptionist needs a good ear, background in anatomy and physiology, and familiarity with medical terminology, including diseases and medications.

Accuracy is critical. The tiniest of mistakes, omitting the word “no” before the word “abnormality,” for example, could have devastating results.

“You can go to college – the local voc tech used to have a medical transcription course – but you really need the experience of listening and typing,” said Penny Rothkopf, the department manager, who has worked at Southern New Hampshire as a transcriptionist since 1988.

Rothkopf, who will remain to oversee the transcription that is outsourced, says the change is bittersweet.

“We’ve had a 9 to 10 percent increase in the volume of work every year in-house, and we’ve been sending out reports,” she said, observing that other hospitals across the state and nation are also closing transcription departments and outsourcing.

Indeed, St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua periodically considers outsourcing transcription, but so far has continued to maintain its 25-year-old service.

“There’s always talk about (outsourcing) because the cost of transcription is significant,” said Diane Hanson, director of health information management at St. Joseph. “We felt we do a much better job in-house, with better turn-around time, better quality, more control.”

Dr. Robert Oot, chairman of the radiology department at Southern New Hampshire, said he will miss the employees he has come to know as “more than just a voice at the other end of the line.”

“Their value and their contribution has been very significant as colleagues for a long time, and we look with real sadness at the change,” Oot said.

“They’re good souls caught in a change in the industry and technology.”

Source :http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070617/BUSINESS/206170417/-1/news01

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Medical transcription job fair in Davao slated

Written by Walter I. Balane / MindaNews Saturday, 09 June 2007 23 02 59

DAVAO CITY -- Nine medical transcription firms under this city's Transcription Alliance of Davao, Inc. (TADI) are holding a job fair here on June 16 to promote medical transcription as a career and industry.

TADI will hold the First Medical Transcription Career and Job Fair at the MTC Academy along Quirino Avenue, according to the Department of Trade and Industry regional office.

The DTI said in a report this week that medical transcription is now a promising industry in the city citing the growing number of medical transcription service organizations and training providers.

The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (Tesda), the DTI said, has accredited more than 10 MTSOs with a total of 200 seats in
Davao City.

The report quoted Wit Holganza, TADI president, as saying the conduct of the job fair is intended to provide employment opportunities for Dabawenyos.

Holganza added it will also promote medical transcription as a priority investment.

The event covers seminars on career orientation and entrepreneurship, a presentation on
Davao City as Best BPO Location, testimonials, and job interview and placement.

The nine firms include MTC Academy - Davao, SSP Transcription Inc., Davao First Transcription Center Corp., Synergy Active Transcription Services Inc., Brokenshire Learning Systems Inc., Scribemasters Transcription Services, A-Plus Global Transcription Services, Kidapawan Technical Learning Center, Inc. and Transkripsyo Inc.

The report also quoted Michael Chua, CEO of Transkripsyo, as saying that their firm, considered among the big players in Manila, is planning to expand here and in Iloilo.

The report said Transkripsyo will “definitely locate here” if they recruit quality people in the city into their team.

Among the areas considered by the firm as potential locations are the proposed IT building at the NCCC Mall, Brokenshire Learning Systems, Inc., MTC Academy Davao and DAMOSA IT Park, the first Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered local IT park.

Local ICT stakeholders have eyed the city as the ICT hub for Mindanao and the BIMP- East ASEAN Growth Area.

Aside from the DTI, the event was also backed by ICT Davao, Inc.


Source: http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2611&Itemid=50

AAMT CERTIFIED MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST (CMT) EXAM

AAMT offers Certified Medical Transcriptionist Exam for the purpose of promoting professional standards. The exam is conducted by AAMT in association with Prometric Systems through their testing centers, which are available in select towns in India.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Two years of experience in acute care, i.e., the candidate should be exposed TO multiple reports types, many formats, and all major specialities.

TESTING PROCESS:

The test is conducted by Prometric Systems through their testing centers. Candidates should register with AAMT through their website (http://www.aamt.org/scriptcontent/examapp.cfm?section=certification) and schedule the test through Prometric Systems. Scheduling can be done online through Prometric website, www.prometric.com.

AAMT CMT EXAM:

The CMT exam consists of two parts, medical transcription related knowledge and transcription skills. The test runs for five and half hours. No study material of reference will be allowed during the test, and no foot pedals will be given for transcription test, but this would not pose a problem as the dictation snippets are very short. The entire processes of test as well as sample questions are available in CMT Candidate Guide, which can be downloaded from the AAMT website (http://www.aamt.org/scriptcontent/Downloads/CMTCandidateGuide.pdf).

RESULTS:

The result of the test will be knows as soon as the exam is finished. Candidates will be notified of the successful completion and will be sent the CMT certificate within one to two weeks.





CMT FAQs

What is the cost of the automated CMT exam?

The price is $195 for AAMT members, $275 for the nonmember.

Where is the exam given?

The exam is given at Thomson Prometric testing centers, now available in many cities in India. You may visit the Prometric Website (www.prometric.com) to locate a test site.

When can I take the exam?

The exam is given on an ongoing basis. Availability of the CMT exam depends on the individual site where you wish to test.

What are the requirements to take the exam?

Two years of transcription experience in the acute care (or equivalent) setting is required to take the CMT certification examination. Acute care is defined as incorporating medical center dictation to include many dictators including multiple ESL dictators, many formats and report types, and all the major specialties, including and especially surgery dictation of all types, and some minor specialties.

How do I apply?

In the Certification area of the AAMT website you will find a link to Application for Exam. You may submit your application online or mail or fax it to AAMT. After processing your information, AAMT will send an "Authorization to Test" letter with information on how to proceed.

Note: Please read the complete CMT Candidate Guide available on AAMT website before submitting the application.

May I bring my own reference materials?

Reference materials are not allowed in the testing center, and none will be provided. Electronic aids such as spellcheckers and abbreviation expanders will not be permitted. One of the consequences of using secure testing centers is the elimination of reference materials. However, the exam has been designed so that a level 2 medical transcriptionist (as defined in AAMT’s "MT Job Descriptions") can pass using their critical thinking and problem solving skills and without using any reference materials.

Is it true that there will be no foot pedal?

True. You will play the dictation using a mouse. This should not prove to be a problem because the dictation snippets are very short (one or two sentences).

How long is the exam?

The exam is 5 hours in length. However, you should plan to spend approximately 5-1/2 hours at the testing center. This allows time for check-in, a short tutorial, a 15-minute break between the two sections of the exam, and a short survey.

When will I receive my score?

The score will be available immediately upon completion of the exam. If the exam is not passed, the candidate will receive a score report indicating areas where improvement is needed.

What if I pass only part of the exam?

You must pass the entire exam in order to become certified. If you do not pass the exam in its entirety, you will need to retake the entire exam.

How soon may I retake the exam?

If you do not pass the exam, there is a 6-month waiting period before you are eligible to take it again.

Will I be able to pass the exam based on my experience?

Two years of transcription experience are required in acute care (or equivalent). A broad range of experience will be necessary for you to pass this exam, but it is only one of the two key elements. The exam will test not only your performance ability but also your knowledge of the various content areas outlined in the CMT Candidate Guide. You should plan to study in preparation for the exam. The Candidate Guide recommends study materials, and you may also consider joining a CMT study group or taking the online CMT Prep Course.

I passed Part I of the old exam but have not taken Part II. Will I have to take the entire exam?

Yes. If you did not pass both parts of the old exam, you will need to take the entire exam in its new form in order to become a certified medical transcriptionist.

Are new self-assessment materials available for the new exam?

AAMT has developed a CMT Review Guide published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and available on Stedman’s website. An online CMT Prep Course through Oak Horizons is available here. The old self-assessment products developed by AAMT are still useful as long as you transcribe the tapes using no aids whatsoever (no references, no spellcheckers, no macro expanders, etc.). Please check the Candidate Guide for other suggested study materials. You may also wish to join a CMT study group provided by your employer, local chapter, or the online chapter of AAMT.

If I become certified by the new exam, do I still have to recertify?

Yes. Recertification requirements remain the same. When you receive your CMT certificate, you will be given your date for recertification, which will be approximately three years after the date you passed your exam.

SAMPLE MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION-RELATED KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS

1. Which of the following drugs is a cardiac medication?

(A) nifedipine

(B) Flexeril

(C) lithium

(D) Proventil

2. A patient who is perspiring heavily is described by a physician

as sweating _____.

(A) perfusely

(B) purposely

(C) precipitously

(D) profusely

3. Exophthalmos a symptom of _____.

(A) exotropia

(B) hyperthyroidism

(C) Addison disease

(D) glaucoma

4. The glomerulus is part of what organ?

(A) liver

(B) gallbladder

(C) kidney

(D) pancreas

5. The primary purpose of a medical record is _____.

(A) research and statistics

(B) billing and reimbursement

(C) continuity of care

(D) risk management

6. Orchitis is inflammation of the _____.

(A) urethra

(B) testis

(C) epididymis

(D) prostate

7. What is the act of swallowing called?

(A) mastication

(B) deglutition

(C) dentition

(D) eructation

8. Which one is a symptom of COPD?

(A) indigestion

(B) coryza

(C) diarrhea

(D) dyspnea

9. Which term refers to an anatomical plane?

(A) axial

(B) rotational

(C) proximal

(D) inferolateral

Answers: 1. A 2. D 3. B 4. C 5. C 6. B 7. B 8. D 9. A

Instructions for transcribing test dictations

You will encounter dictation excerpts, or snippets, similar to those that you will be asked to transcribe on the CMT Exam.

To eliminate unnecessary errors related to variability in formatting, it is important to outline some basic “rules” when transcribing these excerpts. While a variability of formats may be acceptable on the CMT exam, again, the limitations make it necessary to designate a required format for these exercises so that you will not encounter errors of that nature when your transcription is scored.

With some exceptions, most of the excerpts you will transcribe will be a simple set of related sentences. Some, however, will have dictated headings or subheadings. Regardless, simply transcribe from start to finish keeping the following formatting in mind:

1. Utilize only one space after all punctuation.

2. Do not use tabs or indents.

3. Do not use bold, italics, or any other formatting keys.

4. Use hard returns only after headings and to break paragraphs, not at the end of a line or sentence. (In other words, allow your text to wrap as you normally would.)

5. Do not add any headings or subheadings that are not specifically dictated.

6. Do not add any initials or identifying marks at the end of any excerpt.

7. All major dictated headings should be in ALL CAPS and on a line by themselves. Text for each new section should begin flush to the left margin directly beneath its heading. (Do not double-space between a heading and the text below.)

Example #1

HISTORY

The patient is a 34-year-old female who presented to the emergency room complaining of chest pain.

Example #2

PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS

Cholelithiasis.

POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS

Cholelithiasis.

Note: Remember that per the AAMT Book of Style, there are no colons after a heading that stands on a line by itself.

8. All dictated subheadings (primarily in the physical examination sections) should be transcribed in ALL CAPS followed by a colon and one space, with text following immediately on the same line.

Example:

HEART: Regular rate and rhythm.

ABDOMEN: Soft and nontender.

9. Do not number items in any section unless specifically dictated. When numbering, use an arabic numeral followed by a period and one space. Do not worry about indents, tabs, or text wrapping on these excerpts.

Example:

TITLE OF OPERATION

1. Open reduction and internal fixation, right radius and ulna.

2. Irrigation and debridement.

10. Do not use dashes or parentheses to set off information unless specifically dictated.

Keep these basic format instructions in mind as you work through these excerpts, and you should find that whatever errors you do make are related to medical content and internal style and not to basic formatting.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Medical, legal transcription fastest-growing...– BSP study

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Study

Medical and legal transcription posted the highest growth in revenue among all the sub-sectors in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry at 97 percent in 2005.

This was shown in the result of the 2005 baseline study of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on the economic contribution of information technology (IT)-enabled services in the country.

BPO industry comprises contact or call centers, medical and legal transcription, animation, software and other BPOs that include management consultancy, hardware consultancy, data processing, financial and accounting services and engineering services.

The industry’s revenue in 2005 totaled to about P109.9 billion (US$ 2 billion), which is higher than year-ago’s P74.2 billion (US$ 1.3 billion), the survey said.

Among the sub-sectors, contact centers had the highest revenue share at 49.4 percent or P54.3 billion followed by other BPOs, 29.3 percent, P32.2 billion; software development, 20 percent, P21.9 billion; animation, .9 percent, P939.1 million; and medical and legal transcription, .4 percent, P466.2 million.

Medical transcription registered the highest annual growth at 97 percent followed by contact centers, 65 percent; software development, 40.8 percent; animation, 35.3 percent; and other BPOs, 30.5 percent.

“All sub-sectors posted strong expansion in revenue, averaging 48.2 percent in 2005,” BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a statement.

The survey also showed that most of the revenue of the industry came from exports at 69.5 percent while the remaining portion were sourced locally.

Income of the industry from abroad totaled to P76.5 billion (US$ 1.4 billion) in 2005, a significant jump from year-ago’s P49.8 billion (US$ 888.2 million).

“Contact centers and the medical and legal transcription sub-sectors were highly dependent on foreign earning, with more than 95 percent of their revenue coming from exports,” Tetangco said.

Most of the BPO services catered to the US market that had a share of 86 percent in total export revenue followed by Europe particularly United Kingdom and Germany, 7.1 percent; Japan, 3.2 percent; other Asian countries, 2.4 percent; and Australia and New Zealand, 1.3 percent.

Asian countries being catered by BPO companies in the Philippines are India, China, Hongkong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

Total equity investments that the industry reported in 2005 amounted to P27.1 billion or about US$ 491.7 million, 66.9 percent of which or about P18.1 billion or US$ 328.8 million were foreign equity.

Total employment in the industry jumped by 46.1 percent in 2005 to 138,002 from year-ago’s 94,488.

Contact centers had the highest employment at 96,246 followed by other BPOs, 20,278; software development, 17,829; animation, 1,864; and medical transcription, 1,785.

Total compensation in the industry in 2005 reached 42.4 billion from year-ago’s P26.4 billion.

“The value added ratio of the industry was estimated to have risen from 56.0 percent in 2004 to 63.0 percent in 2005, indicating the growing contribution of the industry to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Tetangco said.

The central bank chief said that for every P1.00 output generated by the industry during the year the study was conducted the value added to the country’s GDP was P0.63.

The study covered 317 company-members of the different information and communications (ICT) organizations registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and Board of Investments (BOI) but only 203 companies responded, which resulted in a 64-percent response rate.

Tetangco said the BSP, along with other government agencies, will institutionalize the regular conduct of the survey to encourage greater participation of BPO companies for future studies. (PNA)


source: http://biz.balita.ph/html/article.php?story=20070607111732710