Know The Different Terms in Medical Transcription

With the advent of EHR and its adoption in every healthcare facility, medical transcription has become even more important than ever. With EHRs, physicians are forced to spend more time on their computer and this can affect patient care. EER-integrated medical transcription services ensure that physician reports are transcribed accurately, so that physicians can focus on patient care.

Transcription is a type of data entry that involves converting spoken material into written form. It involves listening to an audio or video recording (or, in the case of real-time transcription, live speech) and typing it out as a written transcript. Transcriptionists typically use specialized software, but in some cases, word processing software such as Microsoft Word is also commonly used. Different levels of interpretation are required depending on the information that needs to be transcribed. Transcriptionists must be able to produce accurate documentation and also correct grammatical or paraphrasing problems.

More and more medical facilities are now outsourcing medical transcription to professional companies to generate accurate medical records. Here are the basic terms that you need to know when you outsource transcription:

• Medical transcriptionist: A medical transcriptionist specializes in transcribing physician dictated reports, which are entered to the patient's medical record. A medical transcriptionist's computer is typically similar to that of a general transcriber and includes a headphone, a foot pedal, and specialist transcription software. Medical transcripton, unlike most other types of transcription, requires post-secondary education, either a one-year certificate programme or a two-year associate's degree. Anatomy, medical terminology, medical and legal difficulties, and language and punctuation are among the subjects that medical transcriptionists need to master.
• Transcription reviewer: A transcription reviewer examines other transcriptionists' work to verify that it is accurate, error-free, and true to the original recording. A transcription reviewer must listen to a portion or all of the original recording that the transcription is based on. Though this position is sometimes referred to as a "transcription editor" or "transcription proofreader," it is not a conventional editing or proofreading role because you must first be a transcriptionist. Transcription reviewers are sometimes paid by the hour, but they may also be paid by the word or by the piece.
• Real time transcription: Real-time transcription utilizes real-time text (RTT) technology to transcribe spoken words in real time. Most types of transcription work with audio recordings whereas real time transcription is about transcribing live speech. Real-time transcription is most commonly used in court reporting, but it also exists in other forms such as real-time captioning and communication access real-time translation (CART), which is real-time transcription for the deaf. Real-time writers must be able to type at a speed of 200-300 words per minute. They must have exceptional hearing and listening abilities, as well as a thorough understanding of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Real-time transcriptionists should be detail-oriented and able to think quickly and concentrate for lengthy periods of time. Stenography and stenographic software training is required.
• HIPAA compliant transcription: HIPAA refers to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that safeguards the medical data. HIPAA compliant medical transcribing is a critical aspect of running a successful medical practice. It gives direction for attaining the safe handling of protected health information. If you don't follow these rules, your office files may become corrupted and you may face legal action. HIPAA also implies to transcription service providers as it includes medical information. HIPAA requires the medical transcription company to take very precise steps to protect patient information. When data is exchanged between you and other offices, it must stay secure and confidential. It must be properly maintained, archived, and backed up in a secure manner. During the transcription process, all data must be protected and secured.
• EHR integrated transcription: The electronic health record (EHR) is an efficient method of keeping track of a patient's medical information. It's a simple and well-organized way to assure error-free patient data. Most physicians find it difficult to use EHR without proper training and face burnout due extensive hours of computer work. This is when EHR integrated medical transcription becomes useful. In this process the physicians can dictate patient information into a recording device, and the digital equipment will clearly capture all of it. These audio recordings are encrypted and transferred to professional medical transcriptionists, who convert them into correct transcripts that are then integrated into the physician's EHR. The key benefit of this hybrid method is that it meets the government's EHR mandate while still ensuring accurate clinical recordkeeping. It allows doctors to spend more time with their patients and focus on providing better care.
• Specialty transcription: It refers to medical transcription for different medical specialties. Each medical specialty has different medical terminology, abbreviations and acronyms. Many medical transcription companies offer specialty transcription such as Cardiology Medical Transcription, Chiropractic Medical Transcription, Psychiatry Medical Transcription, Pathology Transcription and so on.

Physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals generate a lot of information about patients, their medical conditions, medical histories and treatment plans. Medical transcription services ensure timely, accurate and secure medical reports to support efficient patient care.