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New MT, accuracy is not improving - Rae-Rae

Posted: May 27, 2013

I started at Nuance about a month ago. I am a new MT, graduated from CareerStep with Honors at 94%. I've been transcribing for 2.5 weeks now. I have quite a bit of anxiety because my QC scores are not improving, sometimes even getting worse. I seem to have troubles with numbers in particular. I will listen through labs or vital signs again and again and I am sure that I am hearing 116, not 160. I am just beginning to feel hopeless, like I am not good enough. A goal of 99% seems so far when I've been getting QC scores of 95% - 97%, and just for yesterday, 92%.

Any advice? Is this normal for the first few weeks? Roughly when can I start seeing improvement?

Some ideas...sm - Old Woman

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been doing this for a long time, and sometimes the fault does not lie with the MT but rather the dictator. If they are whispering their dictation or if there is a lot of background noise going on, then it is hard to distinguish 116 from 160, etc.

Apparently, you are proofreading your work from what you said about going back and relistening, so that is a good thing.

You said you graduated from MT school with honors, so you should be aware of the lab normals, vital normals, etc. If not, then print out a copy of basic lab values and keep them on your desk for quick reference. A good site is http://www.student.med.umn.edu/wardmanual/normallabs.php.

The other thing that I would suggest to you is that you need to understand the disease process, signs and symptoms, etc., of the patient for whom you are transcribing. Does the patient have hypertension or diabetes? Does the patient have a thyroid condition or gastric complaints? Some reports are more complex than others and sometimes sorting out the patient's signs and symptoms can be a bit of a puzzle, but if you will listen from the very beginning with the chief complaint or discharge diagnoses, or operative procedure, then usually you can decipher most of the report.

Hope this helps and good luck to you.

Leaving a blank is a lot less deduction than an error - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Even after 15 years I opt for a blank if there is even the slightest question on a lab value or med dosage.

They may not like getting blanks but your score will certainly be better with a blank over an error.

stay positive - new but old

[ In Reply To ..]
I was the same way when I started and I let my nerves get the best of me. I tend to leave a blank and when I get completely done I will go back and most of the time I can fill the majority if not all of them in. It will improve the more you get used to everything. Mine did and it seemed at the time like I would never get better so don't give up. Just take your time and don't let the nerves get to you

Thank you - Rae-Rae

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for the advise. I feel a little better now. :)

New MT Rae-Rae - Holly

[ In Reply To ..]
You just started. Give yourself a break. You are in the learning process. Write down you mistakes as you go along. That helped me in the beginning. It takes a long time to become good at this. It does not happen overnight, but you can learn something new every day so hang in there. You will pick up speed and you will get to know your numbers, just pay attention to your mistakes and do not let them be your downfall. Just type the lab value in google and that will spit up some information you can research. As you do a report, get a sample to follow with similar labs. You will get better don't worry.

Info... advice - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I remember how hard it was when I started. I got the best equipment possible for better sound, attended extra workshops (actually despite graduating from the first program with a 4.0 GPA, I attended a more quality-based 2-year program), attended as many workshops as I could find, purchased more books to augment my education and studied my heart out, and had a fabulous mentor. When you graduate, your education is just beginning. Yes, it is worth it. Plan on rising above working for a national company, which pays peanuts, and plan on obtaining your own clients after you obtain experience in the long run. Good luck and chin up!

You might also try another - set of headphones.

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm going deaf because of my wonderful career and I was beginning to have trouble distinguishing numbers. Someone else told me to get another set of headphones or a headset, especially a set that amplifies the treble more than the bass sounds and it does help. :)

Samples, samples, samples - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I know FIESA and Nuance has sample reports of these doctors. Samples of doctors I do is the biggest help. Print some out of your primary. This is a great learning tool also.

Keep sample documents for each dictator - olderandstilllearning

[ In Reply To ..]
I use NotePad (does not interfere with an open ExText document or Word-based document) to keep sample sentences and entire formats for paragraphs (normals or templates) for each dictator I type. Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, not!

You guys are the best - Rae-Rae

[ In Reply To ..]
I've followed a lot of the advice you all have given me and my accuracy has jumped up to 98%. Thanks so much. You're all awesome!

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