| Front Cover Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 | ||
| MT Monthly | ||
| Previous Page | Return to MTMonthly.com | Next Page |
Response to Abbreviation Question in June 1996 Issue
| The title of one of the better
abbreviation books I use, Neil M. Davis’ 5th Edition, Revised, says it all
— Medical Abbreviations: 7000 Conveniences at the Expense of Communications and
Safety. In his preface, he refers to the 7000 acronyms, symbols and other
abbreviations contained in his book that have over 11,000 possible meanings and the
dangers of using abbreviations. The real reason for physicians and other health care professionals documenting medicine is not to make medical transcriptionists rich by saying lots of words but to document patient care for others to be able to interpret what was (or should be) done. I would think abbreviations like LB’s example would make it extremely difficult for another physician, nurse, medical assistant, clerical personnel, etc., to come along later and interpret previous care of and/or planned care for that patient. Of course the example LB sent is ridiculous; however, over the years, TNst of us have been asked to transcribe the ridiculous at one time or another. My pet peeve is what I call "doctorisms" (unheard of and unable-to-ever-be-found words invented by doctors). I suppose if LB wants the account bad enough she could learn to live with the ridiculous. If she is using a computer shorthand program, it would help since those programs are nothing more than abbreviations. She also might consider in |
creasing her errors and omissions
insurance since this type of transcription could leave her wide open. The potential
misinterpretation of abbreviations — not only in the reading but in what she hears to
transcribe — is vast … and her initials are at the bottom! From a strictly comfort standpoint, I personally would not consider taking on this account simply because the stop/start transcription rhythm would wear me out. Judy Olson The client has a right to tell you how they want their reports to look, but they cannot control your earnings unless you are an employee. No matter which way it’s done, it will take you the same amount of time to transcribe the reports. The only difference is you will lose a lot of money using their format (at 65 characters/line, the sample is only 3.5 lines – opposed to 6 lines if everything was expanded). Are you prepared to work 80 hours a week to earn what others do in 40? I would bill them 23 cents per line for their current format – take it or leave it.
|
Your Opinion, Please
| I have just been hit with a lulu
of a problem and hope you’ll be able to help. I transcribed a letter which indicated suspected sexual abuse of a 2-year-old child (genital warts, TNther is a crack addict, possible molestation at crack house by one of her friends). Doctors have encouraged the caretaker (grandmother) to report this to the Department of Human Services, but she refuses. By law, anyone suspecting child abuse, particularly of a sexual nature, must report it to the authorities. |
By law, medical records are
confidential and nothing about them can be revealed. Problem #1: If I say nothing, I’m breaking the law. If I say something, I’m breaking the law. Problem #2: If I say nothing, the abuse could continue. If I say something, I’ll lose my job.
|