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Thinking about transcribing your own audio/video? Why not let us handle that for you and save you time and money?

When journalists, authors, doctors, etcetera, begin to think about having their audio/video transcribed, the first thought is probably cost. Many attempt to do the work themselves, or hire in-house staff to do the transcription.

When hiring an in-house staff, you have to consider hourly pay, benefits, and keeping that person busy with “busy work” when no transcription work is available for them to handle. They have to consider days off, sick time, vacation…not just the cost, but who handles the work when their “transcriptionist” is not around?

If you are handling the transcription task yourself, I have to ask you – how much is your time worth? How long does it take you to transcribe the audio? What does it breakdown to in terms of hourly wage? Are there other things you would rather be doing? Interviewing another person? Organizing the data for your article/book? Managing other tasks? Taking time out to do personal chores?

For those who hold weekly, monthly or annual meetings or conferences – having those events recorded and then transcribed allows you to share this information with more than those who have been able to attend the function personally. Sure you can share the video, but what happens when other’s busy schedule precludes them from sitting and watching a video?

Having the transcript allows them the freedom to move around and tackle their day, and you the knowledge that they have a true concept of what occurred and something they, and yourself, can refer back to when necessary. How many times have you wished you could replay a meeting for what was said?

For the educator, or those seeking higher levels of education – your class audio can be transcribed for sharing as well. Those interviews and other audio developed for your paper can be transcribed for reference.

CLK Transcription offers a discount for educators and students alike. We feel education is THE most important thing a person can have, and love the opportunity to help you reach your goals. We have been proud to handle transcripts for professors or students of UCLA, Bloomsburg University, Wilkes Barre University, King’s College, Illinois State University, Minnesota State University, Wisconsin State University, Harvard University, and others.

Having a transcription service handle your audio/video projects allows the freedom to do what it is you must do to meet your TAT. Freedom to continue your other work to bring the project together. Freedom to share information in a manner that fits everyone’s schedule. Freedom to develop the best end-result you possibly can, without the stress, time or money you may have been spending in the past.

A transcription service can be the cost-effective and cost-efficient tool that you are looking for to allow you more time to get your project done, to share important information, or just to get your personal chores tended to.

When using CLK Transcription Service, you only pay for the audio/video assigned. No sick time, no vacation time, and certainly no overtime or benefits. We have individuals who have special skills to research terms and information, skilled in listening and hearing the most difficult audio and transforming it into a quality transcript.

CLK Transcription can handle multiple audio, in varying lengths, and can meet or surpass your expected TAT in most, if not all, cases. We have transcriptionists all across the United States and we never offshore, EVER. We also never use speech recognition. We feel the nuances of your audio deserve the extra care given by a human ear and human hands.

CLK Transcription has been recommended by the best journalists and by many of the Universities in the country, as well as large publishing companies and other professional corporations – from the medical research industry to the business and finance industry. We also have handled many motivational and teaching seminars by many of the world’s most well-known speakers and coaches. We have handled files as large as multi-day conferences and seminars to the few minute audio of a journalist, on a wide variety of topics. Yes, we even do voice mail transcription giving you the freedom to step away and know your important calls will never be missed again. We have clients all over the world, and have transcribed many, many ESL audio as well. We love what we do and take the time to do it right – for YOU!

Check out our recommendations today at http://www.linkedin.com/in/clktranscription and find out what CLK Transcription can do for you. Let us transcribe your next audio/video and show you what you have been missing. It may just be the time and money you have been looking for!

I believe we can be, so much so that I stake my name on it.

We also love to retweet our favorite journalists and organizations tweets to share your wonderful ideas and projects with others. Join us @CLK_Shortcake or on Facebook – look for CarolLee Streeter Kidd or CLK Transcription. Join us! We would love to have you as part of our team!

CarolLee Kidd

President/Owner

CLK Transcription, Inc.

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.

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.

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.

When a good client goes bad

We all have them.  Wonderful clients.  Clients who articulate what they want, what they expect, and keep us busy even through the lean times.  But what do you do when a good client goes bad?

I am not talking about those wonderful clients that seldom send work (hey they send work) or those leave us to our own imagination and expertise to solidify a projects completeness (It feels good to be trusted in what we do.)

I am talking about the client that sends work, communicates, and then out of the blue – all communication ends.

You begin to wonder did you do something wrong?  Did you make an unforgivable error?  If so, certainly you will make it up to them by way of discount or partial refund.  You ask the client for feedback – nothing.

Weeks go by.  The work comes in and you do it, figuring the economy is hurting everyone, you will give them time and in the meantime, you are generating an income for yourself – even if it means a late payment.  It is still an expected payment.

Eventually, the projects end.  Still no communication.  Even more important than communication is payment for the projects you worked so hard on never comes.

What do you do?

Here is what I did.  I sent an e-mail requesting payment with a read receipt.  I also sent this request certified return receipt.  I tacked on late fees.  I explained that “no payment” will cause me to go a step further and have my attorney make contact and pursue any legal means necessary to get payment.  And I followed through.  i got my payment, late fees and yes, even partial attorney fees.

He went elsewhere.  He went offshore.  He saved a few bucks.  He got less communication this time when he wanted it.  He got less quality and ended up paying more for an in-house person to QA all work returned from the other company, and ended up spending more money and time when all he had to do was pay his bill.

Here is the kicker.  Communication with me miraculously began again.  Projects began to roll in again.  Payment was received.  And now, the client pays in advance of receiving his completed project.  I don’t hold grudges, but I don’t forget either.

I do not mind being a bit lenient with my wonderful clients.  I have a due date.  I give additional time before late fees are added and if communication is there, I even waive the fees because we are all living in the same economy.  we all have our moments.  But when a good client goes bad, they can pull me down too.   I learned my lesson and learned it well.

So now I tackle another good client gone bad using the same methods as before.  This time not waiting as long before I move forward with the actions.  He has gone elsewhere.  Am I offended.  No way!  I know I will get payment and I know he will be back.  They always come back.

And I still give my all to every project they send.  That’s how I do business at CLK Transcription.com

Things I Love About Being a Transcriptionist

Just a few of the fun things that make others go “why?” and me go “why not?”

1.  The audio sent at 9 a.m. and need back by 10 a.m. – of course it is a 50 minute file.

2.  The audio sent that has only the interviewer (oops).

3.  The audio recorded outside in a crowded restaurant and the recorder is placed on the table next to the clinking glasses.  (not to mention the full mouths or the recorder taken to the bathroom by the doctor taking a moment to handle more than one business matter.)

4.  The audio with so many false starts, you can’t figure out what is being said at all.  You know, I mean, but, yes, just like that.

5. The speaker who says one thing so often you can auto-text it –  pick one – Yeah, yeah, yeah.  Right, right, right.  You know.  Okay, okay, okay.  I mean.  UHM,

6.  The doctor that starts out with the right hand, goes on to the left hand, comes back to the right hand and then says “transcriptionist please fix” without noting which is correct.

7.  The audio recorded on cell phone while driving through a tunnel so that every other word sounds like “OLIKEALHED”.

8.  The audio with ESL (English Second Language), which is usually fine, except that this time they speak in half-broken English and half whatever language is native.  Something like, “Hello.  Yes ja razumijem što si rekao very clearly.”

9.  The speaker who thinks we can SEE what they are pointing at.  “This here is what we call this column here.”

10.  The speaker who truly believes sounds can be transcribed understandably and uses them throughout their speech. Swoosh, Whoot, Whrrr whrrr.

Seriously…all very treasured moments in my line of business, especially when we can produce the best possible document in spite of it all.

We learn about things – random things through our work.  Ask me about cloud computing, real estate, foods, benchmarks, loan rates, pension plans, student savings plans, the stock market, parenting, any medical illness, drugs, LGBT and the military, credit scores, the movies, empowerment, the economy, and yes – the best new sex secrets and gadgets too.   (Actually you can ask, but unless its published, we take  our confidentiality of all work we do very, very seriously, so we may not answer – but you can ask.)

From seminars, to one on one interviews, to multiple speaker interviews (where everyone speaks at once), to presentations, coaching calls (no not the sex topic) to website material for posting, celebrity interviews, round table discussions, educational reports, and even voice mails.  If it is in any audio format or even written form – we can convert it into a document that will knock your socks off most times.  (Sex topic especially).

My career choice is an ongoing education with many, many educators.   They are not our words.  They are not our stories – we just make it a bit easier for you to get yours out there.

Learning is part of my job.  Transcribing is my career.  Loving what I do makes being a transcriptionist so much fun and worthwhile.

http://www.clktranscription.com

Why is a Great US Transcriptionist Important? I Will Tell You Why.

In this day and age, many professionals find the process of having their words transcribed in an accurate and detailed manner one of the toughest parts of their profession.  Many US professionals feel that off-shoring the audio for transcription is cost-effective, however the accuracy is lost due to the misunderstanding of the English language and the various manners in which people speak. They may save money on the transcription, but place more time and money into the editing of the transcripts.

Those in the medical field are finding that insurance companies and hospital administrators are demanding all items be dictated and transcribed, documenting every treatment, decision and prescription.  Having this completed and documented in the patient’s chart in a timely fashion is pertinent to the care and treatment of patients for several reasons:

In dealing with patients who have any type of disorder, having the written document of instructions, treatment plan etc helps the physician know that their patient understands what is going on in their care after they leave the appointment.  It affords the physician the knowledge that he has covered all bases available and given the detailed instructions, assisting in any liability claims he may come across in the future.  It allows all parties involved to document and review care given and projected treatment and assessments of the patient so that other medical professionals do not have to redo testing and treatments that may have already been done.

A journalist/writer/author must have their audio transcribed clearly and accurately so the truth in their work is unquestionable and forthright.  Transcribing  this audio accurately not only gives the author the ability to use the words and develop a terrific story, but it also shows the “flavor” of the spoken word and the attitude, and even in some cases the experience of the speaker, allowing the author/writer to “showcase” that in their work.

A great transcriptionist will take the audio of a client, tape or electronically recorded, and develop their reports noting every detail that has been dictated.  They will review the transcripts and if there appears to be a “problem” (example – medication dose, frequency, name of source, or inaudible word/phrase, etc) they will transcribe what is dictated but will flag this for the client to review.  They will review and proof their work so that the client can then review and verify accuracy and completeness, possibly finding a “hole” in the story and be able to follow through.

A great transcriptionist takes pride in their abilities and spends a lot of time and money to hone their trade and continue the learning process as well as maintain their equipment and programs to stay on top of the demanding needs of their clients.

A great US transcriptionist is important to our US clients in order to provide the best possible project, and the ability to negotiate our rates to accommodate  our clients is just part of what a great transcriptionist considers part of their job.

If you haven’t tried a US Transcriptionist lately, maybe you should.  We are here and we are not going anywhere…

https:www.clktranscription.com

Doctors, Pharmacists and Medications – Oh My…

I started my business with medical transcription, and prided myself in the deep knowledge and love of the pharmacy – medications.  I didn’t have it in me to attend school for medicine, but I love research and education regardless.  I have since moved on to love my non-medical clients and workload even more because I found it broadens my chances of learning even more on many more topics.

But I digress.

Recently a very close friend of mine and I were talking about the medications he was on.  All for heart condition and diabetes more or less – cholesterol, triglycerides etc.  We were also talking about how his blood values were not changing after all the lifestyle changes he had done over the years and he was tired etc.  Being a typical male, he just went through day by day not thinking about why, instead just being frustrated and aggravated.

Then one day on the news he saw a broadcast about one of his medications.  It stated simply – ‘Zetia should be taken at night’.  That got him thinking, hence our talk.   When we did research together into his medications we found some other very important items that he should consider – one – that his Welchol should not be taken with any other medication at all.  Now mind you – he had been taking all his medications as directed as far as dosing, but all together at one time.  Why?  Because the doctors never told him any different.

And each time he went to the doctor for blood work, and to complain about tired, achy bones et cetera, never once did they mention any of this.

I have to ask – how many people read those inserts that come with their medicine?  I know all I read is the reactions/interactions portion.  I trust my doctor to tell me, and in fact mine does, but apparently, some just figure we read the inserts on when to take and even food interactions.  For example, did you know grapefruit should not be eaten or drank by those on many heart medications?

Now my friend has gone to the pharmacy and spoke with the pharmacist who was able to work with him to get a schedule that fits his lifestyle to better manage his medications.  Will this make a difference in his blood work values?  Who knows.  But as it is, the medications he was taken all at one time needed to be split up so that he was taking his meds as prescribed, but at different times per day.

Already he is feeling empowered by the knowledge that something has changed and there is a chance things will change in his blood work as well.

I am just wondering, with all the talk about health care reform – if better management and instruction to the patients that already have insurance is going to be included?  Because that alone can save money and lives.

As for my friend – I will update when the results of his next tests come back.  It should be interesting…

Update:  After several months on the new schedule taking his medications as prescribed, but with the additional knowledge of interactions, et cetera, the blood values have improved and so has his feeling of tiredness and achiness.  The most interesting thing I have noticed is that upon speaking to his doctors about his medications, they are each only concerned with what THEY have prescribed and not how they may interact with meds prescribed by other specialists and the schedule for taking the individual doses prescribed.  This has to change – for him and for everyone.  It not only saves money, but saves a lifestyle and lives of so many people when the doctors take the time to work together for the good of the patient.