Medical transcription: Radiology

Radiology is the branch of specialty medicine that deals with the study and application of imaging technology like X-ray and radiation for diagnosing and treating disease. Radiologists direct an array of imaging technologies such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose or treat disease.

 

Scope of radiology also covers:

• Mammography radiology
• Cardiac radiology
• Musculoskeletal radiology
• Neuroradiology
• Pediatric Radiology
• Nuclear radiology

Medical transcription is the process of converting the audio records of healthcare professional-patient encounter into text format, which then forms a permanent part of the patient’s health record. This ensures the continuity of care by ensuring the patient’s detailed health history is available as reference.

Medical transcription for Radiology requires the skill level of medical transcriptionists to be high. The medical transcriptionists need to be well versed in the terminology, techniques and procedures that form part of radiology.

TransDyne acknowledges that the field of medicine is vast and has many specialties; therefore medical transcription for a particular specialty requires the team providing medical transcription support to have in-depth knowledge about the specialty. This ensures that the audio records dictated by the specialists are fully understood by the medical transcriptionists and the records are transcribed with maximum accuracy and within the requisite turnaround time.

TransDyne has a team of specially trained medical transcriptionists working on radiology medical transcription. This team has been extensively trained on the terminology, techniques and procedures related to radiology.

How does specialty training in Radiology in medical transcription affect accuracy?

Specialist training in radiology medical transcription ensures that the teams working on the transcripts are domain experts. This ensures familiarity with the “language” used by the radiologists and reduces errors dramatically.

How does specialty training in Radiology in medical transcription affect turnaround time?

Turnaround time of the finished transcripts is dependent on the skill level of the medical transcriptionists. Specialty training in radiology transcription helps develops the skill level of the medical transcriptionists, thus enabling them to meet turnaround time commitments.

How does specialty training in Radiology in medical transcription affect pricing?

Specialist training in radiology increases the productivity of medical transcriptionists and also minimizes errors. Both these factors help bring down the cost per line of transcription.

TransDyne gives healthcare professionals in radiology the benefit of specialist transcription maintaining high levels of accuracy, turnaround time and reasonable prices..

Not only that, availing medical transcription services from TransDyne has the following benefits:

Data Security: TransDyne ensures data security of Medical Transcription by incorporating security measures like 128-bit data encryption, multi-tiered application architecture, design level security, safeguards, firewall protected networks, sterilized e-mail servers, denial of access procedure and multi modal alerts. TransDyne also ensures data security by ensuring that the data doesn’t leave their premises physically. To ensure secure medical transcription all the transcription is done in the company’s own premises and the premises are secured through appropriate security measures. TransDyne meets and exceeds all HIPAA regulations that apply to electronic exchange of information.

Technology: Considering that time is one of the most precious commodities for healthcare professionals, TransDyne believes in using technology that provides multiple features with ease of use. Some of the features of the software and tools used by TransDyne are as follows:

• Smart upload: TransDyne offers doctors the choice of using modes of dictation they are already comfortable with. Then these files can be uploaded to the servers to be made available for transcription. Smart upload enables transfer of dictation files from the healthcare facility’s server to TransDyne’s server by checking for new dictations at pre-fixed intervals.

• Web Delivery: TransDyne’s web delivery system tackles all issues related with tracking dictations, receiving documents and finding old files form the archives.

• Smart Delivery: Smart delivery is an automated program that addresses the automatic downloads, saving files and printing needs of a healthcare facility.

• HL7 integration: TransDyne can configure and send healthcare information as HL7 messages to the client’s EMR with no additional costs.

To know more about Radiology medical transcription services by TransDyne click here.

Medical transcription: Outsourcing advantages

Medical transcription is an important contributor to the smooth running of a healthcare facility by creating patient records efficiently. However many healthcare facilities tend to overlook the role that medical transcription can play in smoothing out the operations of the healthcare facility. Often times it has been noticed that healthcare facilities avail medical transcription from a mix of in-house employees, Independent contractors and medical transcription service providers.

As the need for medical transcription grows it has been found that availing medical transcription services from different sources can result in the following deficiencies:

• Missing files: Entire files of dictation by healthcare professionals could be misplaced due to the lack of a single source service provider It also becomes very difficult to trace the status of the finished transcripts. The same healthcare professional’s files could be transcribed by various sources causing confusion about factors like formats, turnaround time etc 

• Duplicating efforts: When medical transcription work is executed through disparate sources, the process of allocating audio files, follow-up of work-in-progress and archiving of transcribed files could be duplicated

• Improperly assigned work: Work allocation to the various sources of transcription could be confusing, resulting in work assignments getting mixed up. People not well versed with the templates/formatting requirements of the healthcare professional could produce work of less than desirable standards

• Constant strain on resources: Getting medical transcription work executed through varied sources would place a constant strain on the resources of the healthcare facility, like the administrative, managerial and Information Technology staff

• Other factors: Factors like poor connectivity, lack of proper systems/infrastructure, lack of skills in the particular specialty could result in substandard quality of work

• Difficulty in computing costs: When varied sources are used for executing medical transcription work it is very difficult to ascertain the actual cost per line of transcription. A lot of time would be wasted on reconciling the costs

Outsourcing the medical transcription needs to a professional medical transcription service provider can help the healthcare facility have a fix on not only the cost of medical transcription but also all other factors.

Some of the advantages of outsourcing medical transcription are as follows:

• Increased efficiency: Outsourcing to a single source, increases the efficiency of the healthcare facility staff. The specific needs of the healthcare professionals are taken into consideration by the medical transcription service provider while customizing solutions. This ensures that the process of transcription is more efficient. Moreover the billing method is standard, ensuring that the cost per line of transcription is clearly defined, this ensures that every one is on the same page with regard to cost
• Reduced errors: Factors like standard formats/templates, medical transcriptionists trained in different specialties, use of advanced technology, multiple level quality checks, quality guidelines ensure that the error rates are dramatically reduced. The integrity of the information is preserved
• Consistent process: The system for uploading dictations, and downloading finished transcripts is configured to ensure that no time is wasted on searching for files. The staff can also keep tabs on the files at every stage of the work-in-progress. Features like archiving also make the process of tracing and retrieving old files very easy
• Robust reporting capability: Outsourcing to a professional medical transcription service provider ensures that the reports are of optimum quality, available within the promised turnaround time and features like remote printing and faxing also add to the quality of reports
• Reduced strain on internal resources: By outsourcing medical transcription, the strain on internal resources is dramatically reduced, in terms of both people as well as resources like real estate, utilities and working capital

TransDyne is a leading medical transcription service provider, offers medical transcription services that helps a healthcare facility focus on providing quality healthcare, helps them save on costs of medical transcription and helps accelerate the receivables cycle. TransDyne offers medical transcription at reasonable prices, done by expert medical transcriptionists with a very quick turnaround time executed through secure HIPAA & HITECH compliant channels, with very high levels of accuracy and all this with technology that is advanced but easy to use.

To avail outsourced medical transcription services from TransDyne, click here

Medical transcription: Process for outsourcing

Having seen the strategic advantages of outsourcing medical transcription, a healthcare facility needs to adopt a strategy for outsourcing medical transcription that enables them to avail all the advantages.

The process for outsourcing should include the following:

• Selection of appropriate vendor for medical transcription, based on:

a)     Long-term experience of the medical transcription service provider: While outsourcing services as vital as medical transcription it pays to be cautious while picking out the provider. History of the provider is providing similar services are vital. This shows that the medical transcription service provider is prepared in every way to deliver the right solution.

b)     Availability of skilled people with the service provider: The quality/ accuracy and the timeliness of the records transcribed are vital for providing quality healthcare and have other uses like the forming the basis of coding & billing and as evidence in case of litigation. The accuracy of the transcripts and the turnaround time are dependent on the skill level of the medical transcriptionists. Therefore it is important that the medical transcription service provider has a team of expert medical transcriptionists.

c)     Technical infrastructure available with the service provider: The technological capabilities affects the turnaround time, security of data and the ease of use.  Factors like flexible modes of dictation, automatic upload of audio files and download of transcribed records, archiving facilities and HL7 integration are important factors to be analyzed.

d)     Pricing: Pricing in medical transcription can be as easy or as complex as the billing method used by the medical transcription service provider. Often prices are discussed without properly qualifying the billable units or the billing method. This leaves room for manipulation and ambiguities. The billing method needs to be verifiable, measurable, definable, consistent and fair& honest.

e)      Integration capabilities: The systems/technology used by the service provider needs to easily integrate with the systems of the healthcare facilities. This ensures access to information in an easy and workable manner.

f)       Security measures taken by the medical transcription service provider: Patient data is confidential and needs to be protected at every stage. Because the medical transcription process involves the transmission of data through electronic channels and is exposed to medical transcriptionists during the process of transcription, it is highly vulnerable to misuse. Security measures taken by the medical transcription service provider needs to cover technology, process and people to ensure total confidentiality.

g)     Investment required for availing the services: One of the main reasons for outsourcing medical transcription is to curb capital investment towards non-healthcare related areas in a healthcare facility. While outsourcing medical transcription, the healthcare facility needs to ensure that no further capital investment is required.

h)     Adaptability of service provider to varying demands: The demands of healthcare professionals may vary according to many factors like their specialty, influx of patients and other factors. While choosing a medical transcription service provider it is important to choose one that has experience servicing varied requirements.

i)        Customer service channels: Transition from in-house medical transcription to outsourced medical transcription requires a certain period of handholding to make the process smooth. Even after the transition process is complete, there may be numerous instances where instant turnaround on queries is required. An open channel of communication is essential while outsourcing.

• Verifying testimonials: Success stories of clients who have availed of similar services need to be checked before finalizing the outsourced medical transcription service provider.

• Free trial period: Availing a free trial period will ensure that the service provider is capable of delivering services as per the promised criteria.

• The contact: The actual contract needs to be studied and all the requisite parameters required should be included, in a clear and unambiguous manner.

TransDyne a leading provider of medical transcription services offers medical transcription services that include all the above criteria. TransDyne:

• Has been providing outsourced medical transcription services for over a decade
• Has a large team of expertly trained medical transcriptionists, ensuring accuracy and turnaround time
• Uses technology that is advanced and easy to use
• Uses the “character method” of billing to ensure fair pricing,
• Has the technological capability to integrate with the healthcare facilities’ systems.
• Is HIPAA compliant with regard to technology, processes, infrastructure and people
• Requires zero investment to avail their services.
• Can adapt their services to the needs of the clients.
• Has open channels of communication available 24/7.
• Has some of the success stories available on their website
• Offers a free trial period without obligatory sign up
• Is ready to work on the contract as per the needs of the client.

 

To avail the strategic advantages of outsourced medical transcription by TransDyne, click here.

Medical transcription outsourcing: Strategic advantages

Due to the advent of Internet, services from all over the world have suddenly become more accessible. As the concept of global village advances, it makes sense for all businesses to outsource non-core activities to make the most of their limited resources. Communication facilities have improved, development of processes have reached maturity and there are well-integrated teams in place to provide specialized services at reasonable rates.

When it comes to healthcare, administrators of healthcare facilities have to deal with shrinking budgets, reduced reimbursements and increased demand for quality healthcare services. It makes sense to strategically outsource those functions that are not part of the core business. Medical transcription is one such function that demands a high level of commitment in terms of both time and resources. Outsourcing medical transcription to a professionally managed medical transcription service provider can provide the healthcare facility with numerous advantages:

1. It streamlines medical transcription: By outsourcing the medical transcription needs of the healthcare facility to a professional medical transcription service provider the process gets streamlined. The medical transcription service provider acts as a one-stop shop to provide varied services with different parameters from one source. Co-ordination for quality, turnaround time, security and pricing becomes simpler.

2. Reduces demand for medical transcription staff: It has been seen that getting the right people to work on transcription is important to meet all parameters like accuracy, turnaround time and security. By outsourcing medical transcription the onus of acquiring the right team is passed on to the service provider.

3. Provides access to additional resources in the form of skill sets and technology: By outsourcing medical transcription the healthcare facility can have the advantage of the technology used by the service provider along with the skill sets of the provider’s team.

4. Guarantees reduction in expenses: By outsourcing medical transcription to the right medical transcription service provider, the healthcare facility can expect to benefit from both the skills and the economies of scale of the service provider in terms of drastic reduction in the cost per line of transcription.

5. Special medical transcription needs/problems are attended to immediately: Due to the benefits of having a huge team of skilled medical transcriptionists available to the medical transcription service provider, they would be in a position to accommodate any special needs of the healthcare professionals, whether in terms of formats, or turnaround time or any other parameters required by them.

6. Services improve and become more reliable: Medical transcription is the process of consolidating information regarding the patients’ encounter with the healthcare professional. Timely medical transcription can have a positive impact on the quality of healthcare services by providing timely and accurate information.

To avail the strategic advantages of outsourced medical transcription, the healthcare facility has to undergo a process of identifying their needs and picking out the right service provider.

TransDyne offers quality medical transcription at reasonable prices, done by expert medical transcriptionists with a very quick turnaround time executed through secure HIPAA and HITECH compliant channels, with very high levels of accuracy and all this with technology that is advanced but easy to use!

For more details about how to use TransDyne’s superior outsourced medical transcription services, click here.

Process for choosing the right medical transcription service provider in the next blog.

Medical transcription services: Neurology

Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems including their coverings, blood vessels and all effector tissue, such as muscle. The corresponding surgical specialty is known as neurosurgery. A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology and is trained to investigate or diagnose and treat neurological disorders. Neurologists may also be involved in clinical reasearch, clinical trials as well as basic research and translational research.

Neurology is a medical specialty that requires the healthcare professional practicing it to have the requisite training and qualification. Similarly transcribing the audio records of neurologists requires that the medical transcriptionists working on it possess the requisite training and knowledge to be able to provide transcription services with the required accuracy and turnaround time from the very beginning.

Recognizing the need for specialist medical transcriptionists to take care of a specialist’s needs, TransDyne has created a team of medical transcriptionists, proofreaders and editors specializing in neurology transcription.

How does specialist training in neurology transcription affect accuracy levels?

Medical transcriptionists, proofreaders and editors are familiar with all the requisite terminology, procedures and the drugs used in neurology due to the training program aimed at familiarizing the medical transcriptionists with this specialty. This ensures that the error rates in transcripts are drastically reduced and the accuracy levels are high. The team is able to produce high quality reports from the very beginning.

How does specialist training in neurology transcription affect turnaround time?

Due to the training methods used the medical transcriptionists are very familiar with the specific terminology used and are able to produce transcripts with requisite accuracy in optimum time.

How does specialist training in neurology transcription affect cost per line of transcription?

Due to the reduced error rate and reduced turnaround time the need for multi level quality checks is reduced and the productivity of the medical transcriptionist is enhanced this helps keep the cost of production under control and the benefits of this are passed on the healthcare facility.

TransDyne provides Neurology medical transcription that is cost efficient, speedy and accurate. Moreover neurologists can benefit from the other features of medical transcription services by TransDyne like:

Data Security: TransDyne ensures data security of Medical Transcription by incorporating security measures like 128-bit data encryption, multi-tiered application architecture, design level security, safeguards, firewall protected networks, sterilized e-mail servers, denial of access procedure and multi modal alerts. TransDyne also ensures data security by ensuring that the data doesn’t leave their premises physically. To ensure secure medical transcription all the transcription is done in the company’s own premises and the premises are secured through appropriate security measures. TransDyne meets and exceeds all HIPAA regulations that apply to electronic exchange of information.

Technology: Considering that time is one of the most precious commodities for healthcare professionals, TransDyne believes in using technology that provides multiple features with ease of use. Some of the features of the software and tools used by TransDyne are as follows:

• Smart upload: TransDyne offers doctors the choice of using modes of dictation they are already comfortable with. Then these files can be uploaded to the servers to be made available for transcription. Smart upload enables transfer of dictation files from the healthcare facility’s server to TransDyne’s server by checking for new dictations at pre-fixed intervals.

• Web Delivery: TransDyne’s web delivery system tackles all issues related with tracking dictations, receiving documents and finding old files form the archives.

• Smart Delivery: Smart delivery is an automated program that addresses the automatic downloads, saving files and printing needs of a healthcare facility.

• HL7 integration: TransDyne can configure and send healthcare information as HL7 messages to the client’s EMR with no additional costs.

To know more about neurology medical transcription services by TransDyne, click here.

Medical transcription: Turnaround time

Medical transcription is the process of converting the audio records of a patient-healthcare professional encounter into a typed format, which is then stored as part of the patient’s permanent health record. This record could be stored in paper format or as a soft copy. This ensures that information is available for the continued care of the patient. Moreover this record is also essential to initiate the process of reimbursement.

The quality of medical transcription services is evaluated on the basis of accuracy, turnaround time, pricing and security. The added benefit of medical transcription comes from the technology used by the medical transcription service provider, providing additional features that add value to the service.

As with any other service the value of the service comes from being available on time. In case of medical transcription this becomes even more important as it involves healthcare where having the right information can make a huge difference to the quality of healthcare. Having records on hand takes away the need to depend on memory or guesswork.

Turnaround time denotes the time between uploading the audio files to when the finished transcripts are made available to the healthcare professional. Most service providers guarantee turnaround time. The decision making process for choosing the right provider means that they should be evaluated on their ability to meet their commitment.

A healthcare facility needs to carefully evaluate the turnaround time guaranteed by the service provider. There are certain criteria that can be used to evaluate whether the guaranteed turnaround time will be delivered. Given below are some of the factors, which indicate the ability of the service provider to deliver on their guaranteed turnaround time:

Ø      Technology: Apart from convenience and security, technology used by the medical transcription service provider plays a significant role in meeting turnaround time guarantee. Convenient features like automatic upload for dictation, downloading finished transcripts, and backup systems can cut down the turnaround time. This would make work at both the healthcare facility and medical transcription service provider’s ends fast, safe and convenient.

Ø      Executing medical transcription work in-house: When a service provider executes all the medical transcription work outsourced to them, in-house, this not only ensures accuracy and security, but also cuts down the turnaround time. Factors like system failure, absenteeism and power failures at the subcontractors’ end can cause a lot of delays. Moreover subcontractors would treat work as just another job and not have the commitment to meet the turnaround time offered by the service provider.

Ø      Training methods used: As medical transcription work is totally dependent on the skill set of the people working on it, the training method used by the medical transcription service provider can fine-tune the turnaround time. Medical transcriptionists trained to be domain specialists could be able to execute accurate work at optimum speed from the very beginning.

Ø      Service provider’s experience in dealing with varied customer needs: The experience of the medical transcription service provider in dealing with healthcare facilities of all types would give them the experience to have tried and tested methods in place to produce quality work within the turnaround time promised.

Ø      Standardized quality check procedures: Having a standard method in place for producing work of accuracy levels promised can ensure that the turnaround time guarantee is met with.

TransDyne offers a turnaround time guarantee of 24 hours with an option of 4-12 hours for STAT reports. TransDyne meets the turnaround time commitment by using the latest technology, executing all medical transcription work in-house, training medical transcriptionists to be domain specialists, have experience in dealing with healthcare facilities with varied needs and has in place standardized quality check procedures.

Not only guaranteed turnaround time, TransDyne also offers medical transcription with an accuracy of above 99%, at fair and reasonable prices, through secure channels and with technology that is advanced but easy to use!

To know more about medical transcription services by TransDyne, click here.

Medical transcription services: At low costs

The dilemma of every healthcare facility during the decision making process for outsourcing is to determine which medical transcription service provider will deliver low cost medical transcription as promised. That is quality transcription, at low cost, within the turnaround time promised and without compromising the security of data. Once the process of choosing an outsourcer starts, the deluge of information available can be really confusing, often misleading. Medical transcription being such a critical function requires the healthcare facility to proceed with the outsourcing decision cautiously.

Given below are a few indicators that will help separate the wheat from the chaff and make the outsourcing process more effective.

• Check for billing methods: Medical transcription service providers use several methods for billing that can often look attractive, but turn out to have hidden costs. Often the method of billing leaves a huge scope for manipulation. The billing method used for medical transcription needs to be definable, verifiable, measurable, consistent and fair & honest. There are various methods by which medical transcription work is billed; the billing could be based on page, report, and gross lines or by minutes of dictation. All these methods leave room for manipulation. The “character line” method of billing has been found to be adhering to the Billing Method Principles as prescribed by AHDI and gives a representation of fair charges for services rendered.

   

• Check for training practices: Training methods used by the medical transcription service provider directly affect the accuracy level and the turnaround time times and this would have an indirect impact on the cost per line. A medical transcription service provider, which is committed to providing their customers with the best possible service would refine their training methods according to the need of the healthcare professionals. Medical transcriptionists trained in one or two specialties of medicine would be able to provide quality transcription within the promised turnaround time from the very beginning.

• Check whether the medical transcription service provider uses subcontractors: Often it has been seen that medical transcription service providers further subcontract the work to subcontractors, which would result in dilution of quality, delay in turnaround time and compromise the security of the data. This indirectly impacts the cost per line of transaction.

• Check for methods used to obtain the accuracy levels guaranteed: Often in the quest for meeting turnaround time, accuracy of reports generated could be compromised. This could lead to gross errors in reports and result in frequent mishaps.

 

• Check for the technology used: The technology used by the medical transcription service provider not only affects the turnaround time, but also can have an impact on the technology spending of the healthcare facility. In some cases when the security measures are not adequate it could also affect the security of the data.

• Check for success stories: The experience of the medical transcription service provider in providing solutions to healthcare facilities of various dimensions would clearly indicate the willingness of the service provider to tailor their services to the specific needs of the healthcare facilities, without adversely compromising cost, quality, turnaround time and security.

• Check for open channels for customer service: The transition from in-house medical transcription to outsourced medical transcription can have a few hiccups in the beginning stages. A proactive customer service department can solve all minor issues from the very beginning.  It is important to check whether the medical transcription service provider has open channels for response to queries.

TransDyne a leader in the medical transcription field offers customized solutions to suit the needs of healthcare facilities regardless of their size. TransDyne offers medical transcription services at reasonable rates using the “character line method of billing”.  Care is taken to explain the price quoted and the methodology in detail, so that there are no ambiguities.

TransDyne believes in taking care of special needs of healthcare professionals by training their medical transcriptionists in one or two areas of medicine, enabling them to offer quality output from the very beginning.

TransDyne believes that it is their privilege to serve the needs of their customers personally that is why they do not use subcontractors to execute the work outsourced to them. This ensures the accuracy levels are met, security is not compromised and turnaround time is met with.

TransDyne ensures quality by adopting a four level quality check of medical transcriptionist, language proofreader, unit in charge and finally by the quality assurance team which tries to minimize errors before returning the finished reports.

TransDyne uses advance technology to ensure automatic uploads, downloads and archiving. TransDyne also uses appropriate measures like incorporating security measures like 128-bit data encryption, multi-tiered application architecture, design level security, safeguards, firewall protected networks, sterilized e-mail servers, denial of access procedure and multi modal alerts as security measures. This enables the healthcare facility to benefit from all this technology without requiring them to make huge investments.

TransDyne has been successfully serving some of the leading names in healthcare, the testimonials of some of these satisfied customers are available on their website.

TransDyne has open channels of communication, which enables them to solve any queries as soon as possible.

To know more about medical transcription services by TransDyne click here.