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Crescendo MedRite XL Seeking Answers on Line Counts - Veteran MT

Posted: Feb 11, 2013

Throwing this out to any and all--MTs, management, office staff, programmers--regarding the Crescendo MedRite XL platform for transcription. Went to work for a company recently using this (their one and only mode for the work to be completed) and in my multiple decades as a highly qualified and sought-after medical transcriptionist I have never worked so hard for so little.

Mangement's response to my outcries regarding the pitiful line counts on their program/accounts is simply, "Just work more." There are only so many hours in a day/week/month/year that I can be productive (they DO NOT pay overtime) and going to work for a company that touted itself as a quality leader in the industry with more work in their pipeline, and for a line rate far lower than I've ever worked for before, has left me wondering.... Is anyone familiar with this software platform and how I can check to be sure I am both being paid as they claim (for spaces, bolding, capitalization, 65-space count) and whether I'm being cheaped in (an)other less obvious way(s)? I am gobsmacked regarding how many reports I have to turn out to make in return...well, not enough to make it in this economy, that's for sure.

Any and all advice regarding font sizes/kerning/conversions from MedRite to MediTech, etc., will be much appreciated. Feel free to contact me privately be e-mail.

This may not be helpful - but

[ In Reply To ..]
Just an idea...

Have you thought of contacting Crescendo directly yourself to inquire about interfaces? Some 25 years ago, I went to the Crescendo headquarters in Canada for training in MedRite installation and support (I think they've since opened a branch in the US). It may be different now, but they were perfectly lovely people who might help (maybe not). The thing about software is that it may be pretty functional and efficient in its design, but once the MTSO tweaks it to maximize its profit and minimize yours by setting up parameters, there may not be a way to recover earnings. Still, I suppose it's possible they could/would tell you how to at least reveal the codes so you know what you're up against; though, of course, Crescendo's loyalty would be to your employer and not you. As I recall, a lot of information was input for each MT defining all the variables (PPL, length/number of characters to a line, variations in pay depending on account, and a load of info that tracked productivity). An administrator password was required, naturally, to access this, but be assured that data for each MT could be easily adjusted. Industry standards are so low now that I suspect employers don't care about individuals so much; they probably input all MTs at the lowest common denominator regardless of experience and tell them to sink or swim.

Twenty-five years ago, MedRite (I'm not familiar with the XL upgrade) was pretty cutting edge. I'm not sure of its status these days, as I've used some pretty danged fast(er) programs since then. The original MedRite didn't count spaces, BTW.

I just did a search on MedRite and DigiScribe (both Crescendo products) and there were lots of hits. You might give it a try. Good luck.

Oh...if you break the code, why not give yourself and all your peers a little raise? ;)

THANK YOU! As I suspected... - Veteran MT

[ In Reply To ..]
...the manipulation is constant and geared toward shackling the MT. I had thought of contacting Crescendo, but I'll see what I can learn online first. I was warned before jumping on board with this company that this MTSO has decided how much an MT should make (not much!) and will load down a high producer in every possible way. Seems counter intuitive at first, but when you have lousy accounts with lots of unsavory work that needs to be done, I suppose this is how an MTSO satisfies their contracts.

Your information is very helpful and I am very grateful.

Similar Experience - JJ

[ In Reply To ..]
I, too, had worked for a company that used MedRite by Crescendo. They've switched to another platform recently. When I ran line counts initially and compared them with my counting software (Sylcount), I found MedRite to be about 25% less. I discussed it with the MTSO administrator and after a few weeks of going back and forth with them, they finally tweaked their software and made the line count match mine. I have no idea why the discrepancy existed, but it can be fixed.

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