Welcome to the Wonderful World of CLK Transcription! Where your project is just as important to us, as it is to you!

CLK Transcription can transcribe your RadioBlog, Seminar, Webinar, Podcast, Interview, IEP, Conference, or Roundtable discussion on any topic – family, health, diet, financial, entertainment, educational, all medical specialties, even religious sermons, AND MORE – and we can start immediately.

We also offer transcription and delivery of voice mail, conversion of PDF to WORD doc / WORD doc to PDF, Spreadsheet / label development of your contact / project lists, electronic signature development,mailing list / label development.  In other words, if it can be spoken and / or typed – we can do that!

Also, we offer FTP hosting services for those who wish to have the security of a FTP program but do not want to purchase a complete hosting package.  We host it for you and you get all the security and abilities of you very own password protected FTP.

Contact CarolLee Kidd for details.  http://www.clktranscription.com

Organize Your Audios and Save Time and Money

When sending files to a transcriptionist, name the audio files so you know what is on them, and the transcriptionist can confirm the information supplied.  Many times clients will send a file named by the equipment they use (ex ws00001) with no information as to what is on them, or tell us “this is an interview with Joe Schmo”, when in fact, upon listening to it, we find that the interview is in fact with Jane Doe.  When this occurs, we here at CLK Transcription will verify that this it is the audio the client meant to send us.  It may add some time to the TAT, but in the end could potentially save you time and money.

 

Doing so will alleviate the cost of transcribing an audio that you either didn’t want to have transcribe or was already transcribed.  And saves you time by not having to wait for the wrong file to be transcribed in order to get the correct file completed.  When files are received and seen as named by the equipment, CLK will add the interviewee’s name to the completed report’s filename when possible for tracking purposes.

 

Oftentimes, clients send multiple files and we work them consecutively, so if a duplicate is sent even a day or so later, unless the same transcriptionist handles the file, we would not know it was a duplicate.  (We have even had files sent as duplicates months apart, and if and when we catch it, we inform the client.  Some companies may just pull the old report and send it along and then bill for something that was paid for months ago.)

 

Also, there are some instances when an interviewee is in fact interviewed several times, so we would not stop transcribing just because the name is the same.  It may not be the same interview.  This is particularly difficult with physicians.  When they send a potentially duplicate file, we have to transcribe it because unless confirmed as an exact duplicate, the difference of one word or phrase (medication, history or treatment for example) makes the entire report ‘new”.

 

The addition of a name for your audio is also important for organizing your files for future reference.  Here at CLK Transcription, we name your report the same as the audio file, and include the length of the audio in that name.  This is great because you can now match the audio to the report and even know if the entire audio was received or was there an error in the download.  Also, the addition of the length of audio allows CLK’s clients to track their expenses when paying by audio minute.

 

Many of my clients will use the name of their audio when discussing the topic elsewhere (e-mail, etc), allowing all information regarding that interview to be sorted and saved together, even setting up folders in your Word history to keep all documents for the same topic / interview together for easy reference later.

 

So, the next time you save an audio, consider giving it a name.  It could very well save you time and money.

 

Here at CLK Transcription, we know that saving YOU time and money allows us to do the same.

 

Check us out for more information.  We would love to add you to our team of clients.  http://www.clktranscription.com.  Mention/retweet this blog and save $5.00 off your next invoice of $50.00 or more.

Do you get your voice mail transcribed free? Do you get what you pay for?

Many people come to me and say “why offer voice mail transcription?  Many people get it free through their telephone service provider.”

Here is my answer:

Those providers use either speech recognition software or an offshore, ESL, transcription company.  Either way, their messages are full of errors, mis-communcating what the message really conveyed, sometimes causing your clients unwanted stress!

There are hundreds of websites devoted to posting the errors people receive through these providers.  (Checkout http://technologizer.com/2010/08/22/worst-google-voice-transcription-errors/)

So, if the only reason you continue to use those services by those providers is so you can see what comes across next, do not use CLK Transcription.

At CLK Transcription, a human listens to the voice mail, a human types the voice mail and a human returns the transcript in an easy to read email.  You get the first 5 free every month through December 2010.  Our rates are nominal and you get quality service, fast.  So for a cost you can afford, you get better quality service.  You get more than you pay for.

When you pay nothing for everything, how do you expect anyone to take pride in the work you request?  Those providers simply cattle prod your work through because it is the phone service they care about.  Offering you the transcripts is what got you to them, and for most companies, getting you is all they care about.

CLK Transcription cares about every facet of a project and every client we receive.  There are no contracts, just a confidentiality agreement.  Whether it is a small project or a large project, a one time assist or a long time client, we take pride in the work we do.  Over 90 percent of our clients are referrals.  We do our best to keep them happy and when we don’t, we learn, understand, and make whatever changes are necessary to the service we provide.  Transcription is what we do. It’s not just what we do, it’s who we are!

So, if you get your voice mail for free, are you getting what you pay for?

http://www.clktranscription.com Find out how we can assist you with your transcription needs.

Your regular project is just as important to us as it is to you! Don’t have your TAT pushed aside because someone else has a “priority”!

Here at CLK Transcription, we try to treat every client as our only client when it comes to meeting their turn around demands.  Many of our clients know each other and have referred each other to us, and we know keeping one happy, means keeps them all happy.

People have often said, “when someone likes you they will repeat it, but if they do not like you they will repeat it over and over again.”

We want to change all that.  We want to have CLK repeated over and over again because we assisted in your transcription needs and never missed a beat with another project on our plate.  We love hearing “you rock” when we give our clients with the quality they demand at a cost they can afford, all in a timely manner that lets them get their job done in a smooth manner.

The independent contractors I work with are just as important as the clients I have.  Without them doing their absolute best and being happy with me assigning them work, I could not offer the services I offer to the clients we handle audio for.

In working for other companies, I had heard many times “that project can wait” or “just load up that IC, she’s a workhorse” and I cringe when I think about a client’s TAT being brushed aside, or a IC being so overworked that she wears herself out.

In doing the best job possible, we all have our limits.  Clients cannot be overburdened with stress wondering if their work will be completed on time and the transcriptionist cannot be so overworked that she rushes or even worse, drops the ball all together and misses deadlines herself.

Many times we receive STAT or priority files from a client.  We handle them as we would any other, but we have some wonderful transcriptionists that are available just for those types of files, so that whether we received one or 20 files in a day, your priority is handled without pushing someone else aside, and without stressing the transcriptionist with an unreal deadline herself.  Every client’s files remain active.

Handling the work this way allows every file we receive today to be returned today or within 24 hours, meeting your TAT and allowing the transcriptionists time for their own personal responsibilities as well.

Yes, there are times when the larger projects come, multi-hour, multi-speaker interviews, conferences, and seminars that take us a bit longer, but even in those cases you can usually start seeing a return of part of the project within 24 hours and a completion within 3 days, depending on the size.

Unfortunately, we have had to turn away projects from some of our most prized clients because of their TAT and our workload when they contact us with a multi-hour project due in a few days, but even those clients come back.  Why?  Because I won’t add to their stress by saying I can handle it and then blow their TAT when I know I can’t.

Thankfully, those exceptions are few and far between.  My clients with those larger projects allow me time to plan and get ready for them by giving me a heads up to expect those files.  Most times a day’s notice is all it takes.

So when other companies say they can handle your large project, ask them not only if they have the transcriptionists on duty to handle it, but how much work gets pushed aside that belongs to your friends and colleagues in order to handle yours?  Because the next time they have a larger project, it could be you that’s pushed aside.

We love transcription. It’s not just what we do – it’s who we are!

CLK Transcription, Inc comes highly recommended by some of the most amazing journalists, ghost writers, authors, blog radio and webinar hosts, and corporate companies in the world.  Let us show you why.  Allow us to help you with your transcription needs and make you a part of our family too!

Check us out on:

Twitter = @CLK_Shortcake
Facebook = http://www.facebook.com/people/CarolLee-Streeter-Kidd/1234760098

and

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tobyhanna-PA/CLK-Transcription-Inc/100158850050342
LinkedIn = http://www.linkedin.com/in/clktranscription

Proofreading 101

As a transcriptionist it is important to proof every word, punctuation mark and meaning intended in the words.

It is not just okay to type what you hear and press send to the client.  A proper spell check and grammar check must be run. A thorough proofreading is an absolute must.

You must then re-read the document to ensure those words that would never be found in a spell check if improperly used are caught.

Example:

The glasses are in the cup board. – OR – The glasses are in the cupboard.

It is because of that hat I have a headache.  – OR – It is because of that, that I have a headache.

You have to re-read the report to ensure that the sentences are punctuated properly.

Example:

Did you know that I was going to drive my car then I snapped.  My fingers in the car door.  – OR – Did you know I was going to drive my car, and then I snapped my fingers in the car door.

Also, you have to make sure that the sentence is structured properly.

Example:

All right well.  I will keep it quick. –  OR – All right.  Well, I will keep it quick.

That’s right you were talking about the Plavix.  Being a good drug for coagulation, Atenolol works for blood pressure too? – OR – That’s right.  You were talking about Plavix being a good drug for coagulation.  Atenolol works for blood pressure too?

You have to be sure the words you use are the words actually spoken.

Example:

The patient has hypotension.  – OR – The patient has hypertension.

There are a lot of cleaning sulfates bad for the environment.  – OR – There are a lot of cleaning solvents bad for the environment.

Some tips and tricks:

Type what you hear.

Once complete, re-read the finished product while listening to the audio again.

Re-read the document without listening to the audio.

Do the transcribed words make sense?  Does it read as smoothly as possible?

Some people find that reading the document backward will allow them to catch some errors.

Keep in mind, not everyone speaks with proper English, and unless your client wants you to clean it up, it should be transcribed as spoken.  In these cases, the only real proof will be re-listening while reading along.

The one thing to remember is to never, NEVER, never transcribe something you are unsure of.  Research is part of a transcriptionist’s responsibilities.  If in doubt, leave it out.  Let the client know where the inaudibles are.  They will appreciate the blanks more than a misused word or phrase.  Remember one misused word or phrase completely erases all credibility and faith in your returned product.

Errors happen.  No one is perfect.  When you make a mistake, learn from it.  Make notes.  Know what each of your client’s preferences are.  Most importantly, respect your client enough to admit to your error and work to be mistake-free in your proofing and grammar the next time.  When you have an unhappy client, sometimes it is important that you offer a monetary “apology” in order to have a “next time” to prove your value.

Remember, when someone likes your work they will repeat it.  When someone dislikes your work, they will repeat it, and repeat it, and repeat it.

My favorite line to my transcriptionists is “Breathe. I don’t mind blanks.  I will fill in blanks as possible.  But be sure what you type is what was said and how it was said.  Proof, proof, proof.  Doing a thorough proof is the only way to get your ear.”  I am proud to say that CLK transcriptionists always give their best, and that is all I ask.

Speed is not as important as accuracy when transcribing.  I don’t care how fast you type if what you type is incorrect.  I can bet that your clients won’t care either.
WWW.CLKtranscription.com – Let us assist you with your transcription needs. We accept all forms of downloadable audio, tapes, CDs, DVDs, hardcopy conversion, and voice mail.  We also offer development of electronic signatures, PDF conversions, and audio conversion for easy playback.  We are proud to note many journalists, authors, ghost writers, doctors, universities, and corporations as clients.  We would love to add you to our “family”.

Three ways to save at CLK Transcription during the months of September/October:

Mention this blog when submitting audios to us for transcription and save $5.00 off your next invoice of $50.00 or more.

Refer a friend who generates an invoice of $50.00 or more and receive another $5.00 off your next invoice of $50.00 or more.

Retweet this blog, and receive yet another $5.00 off your next invoice of $50.00 or more.

That’s a potential savings of $15.00 off your next invoice of $50.00 or more.

We can begin any project immediately and look forward to hearing from you!

Carollee@clktranscription.com

Twitter = @CLK_Shortcake
Facebook = CarolLee Streeter Kidd
LinkedIn = http://www.linkedin.com/in/clktranscription

Some helpful programs for the transcription of audio files

As a transcriptionist I have the opportunity to see many different file types cross my desk.  I have also had the ability to really research the programs, free or not, that work best for me in converting the audio and playing the audio files.

First and foremost, ExpressScribe by www.NCH.com.au is a wonderful free player that works wonderfully with or without foot pedals.  You can adjust the audio and playback to make the job of transcribing the audio so much easier.

The upside to this audio player software program by NCH is that they also have a converter, Switch, one version is free and an upgrade for a nominal fee.  The free version is usually enough for the individual transcriptionist who may have file types that they would prefer to convert to mp3 or wav files.

Another great program for conversion of audio is X2X Audio converter which is also free – http://www.x2xsoft.com/productlist/audio.html.  This does additional file types and I have found it to actually be a bit faster in the conversion process.

In addition, when tapes are received and you would like to convert them to MP3 files, I absolutely love the polderbit sound recorder and editor, which is not free, but for anyone who works with tapes or even records to MP3/wav it is well worth the nominal fee for the program.  http://www.polderbits.com/recorder_uk.htm.  You will of course still need a tape player/record player/cd player and a male to male audio extension cord to go from the player to the sound card of your computer, but for me, this program is priceless.  It is not free, but allows the ability to clean up the audio while being recorded, which is an invaluable tool when handling tapes.

DVD’s are an animal all their own.  In order to extrapolate the audio from these creatures I use the iSofter program.  It is easy to use, is a bit slow, and there are some quirks to it sometimes, but the tech support is always right on.  Again, this program is not free, but well worth the cost.  http://dvdtoall.isofter.com/index.htm

Some other programs I use on a not so frequent basis, but are useful just the same

http://www.avs4you.com – AIFF files to mp3

www.PCDictate.com – to convert the newer DS2 files to mp3.

Now I agree, many of these do much of the same conversions, but each have a little special difference as well.  As someone who receives multiple files in multiple formats, I found having several makes my day go a bit easier.  When one doesn’t handle what I need, I have a backup.

Having the ability to handle all forms of audio, allows my clients to just worry about developing the audio, and not what format works for transcription.   That, in turn, allows me to assist them in saving time and money when I handle their audio for transcription and develop the quality reports they demand.

There are admittedly hundreds of programs to choose from, however for me, these are the ones I have trusted over the years.

So, if you find yourself in need of a player or converter, check them out.  You may find you like them too.

www.clktranscription.com

Sometimes going cheap is good. But sometimes going cheap can cost you your career!

Sometimes going cheap is good.  Getting cheaper soap at the grocery store is good.  Getting cheap concert tickets is great.  But sometimes going cheap can cost you your business, your career…your livelihood.

I admit I am in a profession in which the workload is easily sent off shore to complete.  I also admit that it can be done cheaper.  I also know that doing so puts our medical, personal, and professional information at risk.

You get what you pay for.

I have stated before and will state again, that when our personal information is sent off shore, you are opening up the residents of the USA to identity theft, but you are also leaving the door wide open for other errors that can and do occur.  Things like hypoglycemic transcribed as hyperglycemic, known malignant transcribed as non-malignant, so many more…

Read more here http://wp.me/pLEiA-55 on how medical information is shared when transcribed over seas.  Is this where you want your information?  Even your insurance carrier may off shore their Workman’s Comp and Disability Claim Files.  Could that be why you have been denied benefits?  Was there an error in the medical report due to a language barrier?

Another example is legal transcription.  Allow me to share the following story:

I had a lawyer relay this to me to show the importance of commas that he found only AFTER a will reading.  One little comma can change a settlement of a case dramatically.

A man dies.  He leaves his estate to his three kids, which for the purpose of this example we will call Jack, Jill, and Jane.

His estate is worth a million dollars and it is to be divided in equal shares to Jack, Jill and Jane.

Now would you appreciate that inheritance?  Or if you were Jane and Jill, would you rather that pesky little comma so that it reads:

His estate is worth a million dollars and it is to be divided in equal shares to Jack, Jill, and Jane.

Without the comma Jack gets half, while Jill and Jane share the other half.  With the comma, they all get equal thirds.  Do you think someone who has English as a second language would understand the importance of that comma?  Jill and Jane sure found out the importance of the comma.

Imagine your comma missing in your important document!

For the journalist, ghost writer, and author.

You work hard to do your interviews, composites, and drafts.  Would you want your story transcribed by someone who then sells your hard work to a high bidder, with no possible recourse?  Confidentiality statements mean nothing when there are no ramifications for a breach.  When you search for the lowest possible bid, you get the lowest possible certainty that your hard work is safe.  Pay pennies…lose big bucks.

And yet another example:

Ever have your voice mail transcribed by an off shore vendor?  If you have, maybe it ended up on the blogs found when Googling “Funniest Voice Mail Transcription Errors.”

Now let’s get into another fact of life:

Big corporate companies off shore their work:  Manufacturers, tech developers, etcetera.  Sure it is cheaper, and maybe you even see okay quality with some products.  But have you thought about how we must share our trade secrets with the companies that we now send our work to, who then are under no legal ramifications if they share that information?  If they take it and run with it, now putting your business in jeopardy of losing it all?  What are you going to do?  Fire them, set up in another country, and pray it doesn’t happen again?  What about the money these businesses lose?  How do they recoup?  By increasing their costs.  By going bankrupt?  By a US Government bailout?

Keep US information, jobs, and resources where it belongs.  In the USA.  Our citizens are trained, they take pride in their work, and they need work – which builds our economy.

I do not dislike the other parts of this great world we live in.  I am just very proud to say that I am an American.  I live and work in the USA.  I am a proud US owned and operated businesswoman.

Have your audio/video transcribed by a human, in the US, by US citizens, and be proud to say it was Made in America! We honor your confidentiality at all times.   Do your research.  There are many great US transcriptionists and transcription companies right here in your own backyard.  It may cost you a few cents more, but you will save on quality and so much more.  But do your research.  Many large transcription companies off shore their workloads yet lead you to believe they do it all right here in the USA!

http://www.clktranscription.com – we never off shore your work.  We never use voice recognition.  We always respect your time and your confidentiality, and we give you the quality you demand.  Find out why we come highly recommended.

A Touching Transcriptionist’s Tale – Get Your Hankies Ready

I already know I have a fantastic team of transcriptionists here at CLK.  I already know that each of them have a story.  Here is another.  When you think that working from home is a luxury, I hope this gives you just a little more insight.  The only luxury is being able to be where our heart needs us most.

Why Transcription? ~by  Nicole Gennrich

Let me first say I love the work that I do for CLK.  Who knew you could never get bored doing your job.  It’s the same physical movement but the subject is always different.  I find it fascinating every day.  But I can honestly say that’s not what first drew me to the possibility of transcription as a career.

I’m fairly young and spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.  I had a daughter who I took to daycare every day so I could go to work.  I knew I hated missing so much time with her but knew, just like every other parent, that the bills had to be paid as well.  I was the marketing manager at a small water treatment company; liked my job but didn’t love it and didn’t really have any training to do anything else.  One day my whole view of my job, daycare, and the world changed.  My daughter’s daycare was closed that day so a “friend” of mine was watching her for me.  I received a frantic call from him that she was having a seizure.  I told him to call 911 and left work immediately.  When I got to my house the ambulance was still there so I rode to the hospital with her.  We had to stop a long the way because she was no longer breathing on her own and needed to be intubated.  After she was examined by the doctors they pulled me in a separate room and informed me that she had been shaken very violently and would probably not wake up again.  She was 18 months old.  They took her by helicopter to the best children’s hospital we have.  I knew if she could be saved they would save her.  Three days later in her ICU room I said goodbye to my baby and held her as they unhooked her from life support.  After spending a lot of time not being able to move I decided I had to figure something out.  I returned to my job but had been demoted and replaced because of my extended absence.  Understandable…life goes on for the rest of the world even when it has stopped for you.

Anyway, I had spent too much time and worked to hard to go back to where I started when I first joined the company.  I also realized I loved and missed being a mother and knew I needed to find something to do so I could be there if I ever had another baby – trusting someone would not be an option anymore.  That’s when I heard an ad on the radio for a seminar about medical transcription.  I went to the seminar and found out about going to school at home and working at home.  I started my medical transcription course with At-Home Professions and loved it.  It took me awhile to finish but I got it done.  In December 2007 I had a baby boy and knew I could be home with him.  I had a hard time finding work as a newbie to the medical transcription world.  But then I found the posting for transcription with CLK.  I wasn’t sure about the general transcription part but thought I’d send my resume anyway.  I can honestly say I love the general transcription more than medical now.  Why I choose transcription – it’s fun, fascinating, and I know my son is safe when I go to work every day.

Why I became a transcriptionist…Leticia W.

I asked the CLK team to jot done a few reasons why they became a transcriptionist and what they love about it.  Here is one story from one member of my team:

So, I thought, what do I want to be when I grow up?  I wanted a job where I could learn new things every day.  I wanted to have variety and some challenge in the work, throw in a little pressure or a deadline once in a while, and at the end of the day, be able to see my accomplishments for the day and know that I had done the very best job I could.  Also, I needed the flexibility in a job to allow me to be able to handle responsibilities at home that I had, plus, I love to type.

After careful consideration of my options, and the skills I had acquired through the years, I decided to become a medical transcriptionist.  So, I joined Career Step in December of 2007, took their medical transcription course, graduated the beginning of December 2008, with Honors, and started working with CLK at the end of December 2008.

Becoming a transcriptionist is one of the best decisions I could have ever made.  It allows me all the things I love in a job and then some.  I look forward every day to getting up and going to work. I found myself without a job in May of 2007 and I was completely lost.  I was in my early 40s and just didn’t think I could start over looking for a job and working my way back up the corporate ladder, especially the way the economy was headed.  It was time for a change.

LW

Visit us at www.clktranscription.com where transcribing isn’t just what we do  – it is who we are!

Working hard to meet the quality demands of our clients, and at the same time, the family and economic demands of the US transcriptionist.

Next time you visit your doctor, ask them an important question!

Where does your health care provider have their transcriptions done?  You may think that is a silly question.  One that is not important to you, but read on – you might just change your mind.

I believe the best people available to do a job should be those hired to do the job.  That being said, I believe that if there is work in the US, and a need for workers in the US, then it should be US workers filling that spot.  They are trained, they are dedicated, and they are familiar with the demand that is placed upon them.

I believe that to be true for all countries.  If you have jobs, and you have citizens, then offer training to your citizens, offer the job to your citizens…don’t send work somewhere else just because it is cheaper – you end up getting what you paid for – substandard work.  If your citizens need work and your economy needs help, why not spend time training and getting the work done within your borders by people who understand what it is you are looking for and who are dedicated to doing a fantastic job because they needed the job in the first place.

The US Transcriptionists are fighting for their jobs!

For example – the US Transcriptionist typically spends THOUSANDS of dollars for their training.  They live day-to-day searching for work, and are told they must have 2 to 5 years experience.  Yet gaining that experience is difficult because much of the work is sent over seas to be transcribed by others who do not have English as their first language and who are mills churning out low quality work in bulk, because they are “cheaper” than a US transcriptionist.

Where is the logic in that?  You send your audio over seas, you get it back and spend your own time correcting the transcripts, and at the same time, risk your information being unsecure and shared with others.  I would think your time is more valuable than that – having paid for a service only to have to edit because of language barriers.  Have you read the article about the women over seas who threatened her US client that she would post his information on the web because he was a little late in paying her?  Or what about the language barriers that cause major problems for doctors and their patients.  http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/it-strategy/2004/08/26/when-indian-transcriptions-head-awry-39164629/

Many US transcription companies state they do not offshore their work, but I am here to tell you that many, many of the larger companies do.  With a little investigation, just checking out their website, or even some of the transcriptionist forum sites, you will find that more and more of US work is being off shored, leaving these skilled US transcriptionists out of work.   It can be as simple as the contact page or e-mail address they set up on their website, or affiliations they note.  Many use off shore companies to subcontract their work to, but hide it from their clients.

Identify theft is a big problem!

In addition, identify theft is a scary situation.  A prospect every US citizen should be worried about.

Did you know that some researchers feel that up to 78 percent of identify theft begins off shore?  Criminals are finding more and more ways to get your information because more and more work is being sent offshore – http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/banking/financialprivacy/p90682.asp

Of course we have issues within our borders, but at least here, the laws are enforceable and we as citizens can demand protection from abuse and misuse of our information.

Why does it matter where your doctor has his transcripts completed?  Here are some scary thoughts:

When you go to your doctor’s office, you are expected to give them all of your information, including family, medical and social history.  Now maybe just having your social security number and insurance information is scary enough, but when you add-on the medications you use, the family history, your social history, it becomes easier for those with less than honest intentions to “become” you. In accessing credit card information, one of the questions a credit card company will ask you for security reasons is “what is your mother’s maiden name’.  when filing an insurance claim, the criminal has all the past information to validate who “you” are.

Think about what your doctor knows about you.  Think about all the information he obtains from you at every visit.

Lets not forget, that due to increasing malpractice suits and the ever rising cost of malpractice insurance, more and more doctors are dictating even more information to cover themselves and validate their care of your medical needs.  The fact that they have to do this is another blog – but imagine, every phone call you make to them, every illness you discuss, every change in address, phone number, insurance, etc – being dictated and transcribed off shore, where there is no legal recourse if someone were to take it and use it with malicious intent.  Even your child’s name and those of your extended family is oftentimes dictated by your doctor.

Do they know?

Some doctors, due to the ever-increasing costs to run their office have thought that off-shoring their transcripts can save them money.  Some are not aware that the hospital or facility they are affiliated with, or even the transcription company they utilize, sends the work off shore.  They just forward the audio and wait for it to be returned.

Those that off shore directly, typically have a person they pay to review and edit the transcripts – how is that saving money?  Paying sick days, holidays, taxes etc for an employee to correct what they already paid for?  Wouldn’t having it done right the first time by a person trained in the profession and who speaks your language be more cost-effective in the long run?  Those that send their transcripts to a US company who sends it off shore just have not researched enough to know any better.  They simply looked for the cheapest rate.

These US companies that off shore their work may be “saving” you money, but they do it for selfish reasons.  They charge you one amount, send the work off shore and pay pennies to have that work transcribed, allowing them to pocket a big chunk of change themselves.  In the long run, the only one who wins is them.

There are people all over the US looking for work.  Looking to make money.  Needing to make money.  Why not allow them to do the job they spent time and money to be trained for?  Think about how that helps that nation’s economy.   Your information will be safe and if not, they are legal ramifications that can be sought out.

Again, I am not against people working and earning a living.  I am for the people of a country that has work to offer being able to train and gain that position.

Transcription of medical and non-medical reports is a growing business with growing demand.  It documents conversations, and is used as ‘proof” of events.  It allows paperless tracking of events and discussions, and aids many individuals and companies every day.  your information is important enough to document, isn’t it important enough to safeguard and have accurate as well?

How not to hire American!

A few years ago I came across a conference, held here in the US at a Hilton Hotel.  It was all about how not to hire American – even if they could do the job – all in the name of saving a buck.  These were US companies, US jobs, at a US hotel discussing this topic.  SHAMEFUL if you ask me.  Here is the link to that video, still seen on the web.  http://www.jonesreport.com/articles/190607_avoid_hiring_american.html

Whatever happened to the days of being proud to display “Made in the USA”?

The next time you visit your doctor’s office or other health facility – ask them – who does your transcripts?  Even EMR information is being of-shored, so demand to know where your information is going.  Who has access to it?  Can they assure you that their transcription company does not offshore.  Does your insurance company offshore their medical reports?

The next time you have an audio to be transcribed – think American.  The next time you deal with a US company, ask them – do you off shore any information at all?  Safeguard your information.  Be proud to say your transcripts were Made In The USA.

www.clktranscription.com  We NEVER off shore our work, and we can show you how using a US transcriptionist can save you time and money. Contact us today for information on how we can assist you with your transcription needs.  The US transcriptionists will appreciate it and work harder to meet your demands.