What is acute-care medical transcription?
Each time a patient is admitted to a hospital, seen in an outpatient department, undergoes a surgical procedure, has an x-ray taken or a laboratory test performed, a physician is required to dictate a narrative report of the visit or test. These narratives (medical transcription voice files) are converted to printed format by a medical language specialist, otherwise known as a medical transcriptionist.
Healthcare credentialing organizations require the transcribed narrative to verify the quality of patient care. These reports are considered of such high importance, a hospital unable to maintain timely turnaround of these reports runs a high risk of losing insurance and/or Medicare reimbursements.
Insurance companies require transcribed medical reports before paying claims.
Surgeons cannot receive reimbursement for services without the transcribed medical report.
Patients are not taken to surgery without the transcribed History and Physical Examination on the chart.
In some cases, patients cannot be transferred to another facility without a copy of the Discharge Summary report.
Medical transcriptionists are in very high demand. For many years, there simply have not been enough skilled medical transcriptionists to cover the growing demand for transcribed reports.
Why?
Medical transcription is a difficult profession. One must achieve a level of terminology equal to, if not greater than, all other health care practitioners.
Very few qualified curriculums are available.
Most training curriculums do not provide enough “real” transcription practice to prepare the student for an actual job as a medical transcriptionist.
In previous times, physicians dictated into hand-held recorders using cassette tapes. These tapes were delivered to various hospital departments. Transcriptionists would listen to the dictation and transcribe the report.
With advances in technology, the procedure is now computerized. Physicians dictate via telephone lines or hand-held digital devices into computer systems (called "digital dictation systems"). These systems store the voice in digital file format. Transcriptionists access the digital systems via telephone transcribe stations or over internet connections, transcribe and return the reports to hospitals or other medical facilities via modem file transfer or internet connection.
In Summary
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Medical transcription is virtually a recession-proof industry
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Much more work is available than there are existing transcriptionists
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Pay is excellent
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Enjoy flexibility in scheduling and hours worked
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Work from home
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Relocate anywhere internet access is available
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You create your own work environment
Remember… The opportunity to change the future is in YOUR hands today!