A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Looking for some tips on increasing my line count. - ks

Posted: Jan 10, 2012

I know most people here are very unhappy with MQ and they all have their complaints, but I'm just part-time and MQ fits into my schedule fine. I'm having trouble with my line count and I'm looking for someone to give me some tips on improving my line count. My manager suggested to sign out when not in DQS (which I've never done, not even sure how to sign out or when). She also said to be sure my timekeeping is exact (whatever she means by that). I do have an email sent back to her just haven't received an answer yet. Thank you for any tips for improving my line count.

I do okay line count wise - e-mail me for tips

[ In Reply To ..]
But, fill me in on an average of how long you have been here, what kind of work types you do, and how long you've been an MT. Also, do you use the short cut keys and expander?

TIPS - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
You hands should never leave your keyboard so if you have mouse functions, ask if there are keyboard equivalents.

Make shortcuts for everything you type more than three times and I mean everything, English words included, whole paragraphs, entire reports, etc. Develop a system for naming them so you will remember them.

You hands should never be idle, you should always be transcribing WHILE you are listening and NOT listening and then transcribing.

Set your speed so that you are right on the heels of the dictator and can keep up without stopping, unless you need to because you don't understand something.

Increase the speed a little bit every 3-4 days and try to stay right on the heels of the dictator. If you find you are missing words or making errors, dial it back to where you were not. That's your threshold, try to keep it there and it becomes really easy after a while, start increasing the speed again to see if you can raise your threshold.

Your environment plays a big role. If there are distractions keeping you from concentrating, get rid of them. Speed takes concentration.

This may be controversial, but how long are you nails? I've been an MT for 40 years and I still can't type with long nails. I've seen some people do it and it always amazes me. If they are hindering you, cut them.

Try to use online reference materials as much as you can; opening books and looking up words takes too much time. Depending on what type of specialties you transcribe, find comprehensive online sites for them and keep them open so you can just go to their tab for quick look ups. This also includes the BOS if you need to look up something there.

Hope these help. Good Luck.

Line Counts - c&s

[ In Reply To ..]
I thank you for taking the time to offer this information. I have been an MT for over 10 years and have only been with MQ for 2 years now. I am very glued to my mouse. Sometimes I feel it is actually faster than the shortcuts because I seem to have a difficult time remembering them. I have tried adding one shortcut to my shift every 3 or so days, but am still struggling with it. What do you mean as to ask what the shortcuts are? That little booklet they sent does not really keep me going. I have one major issue outside of MQ and that is, do you happen to know any IE shortcuts? I find that is where I use my mouse most often. I would be interested in learning some of those.

Thank you again.

IE shortcuts - other poster

[ In Reply To ..]
To find this, I googled: IE shortcuts.

There is a terrific table of shortcuts on this page:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306832

line counts - ks

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you all for your suggestions. I appreciate them.

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