MT technology has come a long way in a short time.

The Data Protection Act 1998 passed by the Parliament has given rise to a massive transformation in the
process of medical transcription in the United Kingdom. A plethora of patient healthcare information
which is dictated by medical professionals including the kind that is maintained by the hospital, for
instance surgery information, clinic reports, consultation information and laboratory test reports
have also been covered within the Act. Even though the Act doesn’t specifically mention the issue of
privacy, it still makes it obligatory for data controllers counting companies as well as individuals to act in
accordance with the many provisions of the Act, which includes the right for privacy. This Act has given
rise to the development of newer technologies which make sure that the data of a patient is maintained
with maximum privacy possible.

The picture earlier in the 21st century

With the 21st century came the introduction of digital dictation machines in the United Kingdom along
with many other countries of the world. These dictation machines are of two types: one being the digital
note-takes and the other one being digital dictation phones via the use of push-button technology. The
digital note takers work well for personal use, whereas the digital dictation phones are found to be more
functional and handy since they have folders that can be used for different purposes. You can easily
edit the data before it is transmitted and using the software is also a very easy job. Nonetheless, using
these gadgets can be a tedious task on a regular basis since they need to be connected to the computer
with the use of a USB cable to transfer data. Furthermore, the push-button type does not work well with
analogue systems due to the inconvenience caused by handling buttons.

Innovation in technology

In recent times, with the development of different types of transcription equipment such as digital tapes
and digital voice processing instruments, innovation has dominated the field of medical transcription.
Medical transcription is now achievable in the United Kingdom as a home based exercise as well as
a large scale business enterprise. Recent developments in technology have now made it possible to
record dictations with the help computers. The reduction in the price of the computer memory has
also made it possible to manufacture digital voice recorders at a very affordable rate. In addition to this,
there has been a fall in the charges of consumables as well as repair and service rates. There has been
such a massive change in the field of computer technology that using voice recognition technology to
transcribe audio dictation needs no or negligible involvement of secretaries or transcribers.

Rising technology

A new stage known as the Health Space will now make it possible for patients to access their own
medical records in the UK. The latest UK version of the cloud-based technology which includes the
solution for background speech recognition transcription has already been accepted for use by the
National Health Service. With the help of this platform, the NHS trusts and healthcare institutions have
got an N# secure background which helps improve the patients’ safety and also their care through
workflow automation, thus decreasing the cost of transcription and improving the time period of

deliveries. The background speech recognition software has turned out to be a really effective option
to digital phones for the purpose of dictation hitherto having being used in the United Kingdom. With
the help of this technology, dictations can be converted into draft documents in favor of editing and
reviewing, thus greatly improving efficiency.

Although, at least in the near future, machines won’t be replacing the need of humans in the
transcription process, however that is just a question of desirability because understanding and
judgment would always be an important part of the process. But our quick journey in this field in the
last few years is commendable.

Reduce Some of the Risks of Cancer During Summer Cookouts

HCAs (heterocyclic amines) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) can be triggered in meat that is cooked for long periods of time over a high heat. Some of the amino acids and creatinine found in animal muscles produce a reaction that stimulates these cancer-causing compounds. To help reduce the risk of creating the optimal environment for these dangerous compounds at your cookout this year, the following tips may be tried:

• Pre-cook meat to reduce the amount of HCAs by placing it in the microwave or boiling water before cooking the meat on a grill. This will reduce the total cook time and temperature needed.
• Marinating meats reduces the amounts of these compounds as well.
• Reduce the risk of PAHs by trimming the fat and/or using lean meat. PAH levels increase as the fat drips off of the meat and onto the grill. As the smoke rises up from the fat drippings, the PAHs found in the smoke are then cooked right into the meat.
• Don't limit your picnic to grill-only foods.

There are several informative sites on the internet where more information can be obtained about this and similar topics. Visit the links below for a few places to start.
http://www.foodhaccp.com/memberonly/newsletter71.html
http://www.foodhaccp.com/regulation.html
http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/pr_fsaf/images/food0600.pdf
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdup107.html
http://health.msn.com/healthnews/ArticlePage.aspx?cp-documentid=100163951

Military Spouses and Medical Transcription

Today, I was reading about one of the latest topics in the news; medical transcription and its impact on the lives of military spouses. After having spoken with a few women whose husbands are in the military, I can definitely understand how medical transcription would be an excellent career choice for them. One of the biggest complaints these women had was that they could not use their college degrees very readily because of frequent relocations, which equated to frequent job changes as well. With medical transcription, however, this would not be a problem because they could maintain the same accounts wherever their families might be relocated.

An article on Media-Newswire had this to say: "The departments of Defense and Labor are collaborating with the AHDI and the Medical Transcription Industry Association to promote the medical transcription field as a viable career for military spouses. "

I am glad to see so much cooperation between these organizations. The men and women who serve and protect our country rearrange their lives so that we can live ours with freedom and respect. It is refreshing to see respect for them and their sacrifices through this collaboration.

National Medical Transcription Week

In 1985, then President Ronald Reagan gave a proclamation that the week of May 20 through May 26 would be set aside as National Medical Transcription Week. The following is an excerpt from that proclamation:

"A century ago, physicians knew many of the patients from birth, knew all their ailments, and provided all their medical care. Today, with medical specialization and greater mobility among people, many skilled physicians may treat the average American during a lifetime. Using transcribed medical records, each physician can easily and quickly review a patient's medical history even if the physician has never seen the patient before. Because of the work done by trained medical transcriptionists, patients can be assured that the history of their medical care is portrayed accurately and legibly. Medical transcriptionists have therefore become a vital link between the physician and the patient.

It is appropriate for our Nation to recognize the contributions of medical transcriptionists. We should encourage hospitals, allied health education programs, and community colleges to provide appropriate courses of instruction recognizing the high standards that must be met by medical transcriptionists and the vital function they perform."

The proclamation can be read in it's entirety at:
http://www.aamt.org/scriptcontent/downloads/MT_Week_Proclomation.pdf.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful National Medical Transcription Week!

The Eyes Have It

Medical transcriptionists spend several hours a day staring at their computer screens. This can lead to eye strain and other visual problems over time. That is why it is important to take preventative measures to ward off unnecessary visual disabilities.

Short breaks can help alleviate or lessen symptoms of eye strain and other visual problems caused by staring at a computer monitor for long periods of time. Practice moving your eyes to distant objects periodically or closing your eyes for a moment or two. Another thing to try is adjusting the brightness of your monitor to a more comfortable level. Adjust the distance you sit from the monitor and its angle to lessen the glare on the screen. Consider purchasing a glare-reduction filter or adjusting the lighting in the room you are working in. A little prevention can go a long way; especially over time. So, try putting these practices into use and see the difference for yourself!

Big Opportunities from Big Businesses

I read an article written by Sara Eisen for Medill Reports Chicago that described an annual conference for the Midwest Business Group on Health. These business leaders, consisting of more than 200 individuals from a diverse group of public and private companies, are gathering this year to discuss the advantages to expanding company health care benefits. They are trying to persuade other companies that there are many good reasons to give employees more health benefits. Some of these reasons include less productivity loss due to employee illness, lessened existing health conditions, and increased health awareness overall. If successful, these changes in health care benefits packages would lead to steady work for MTs as more employees were receiving health screenings and additional services to maintain their health.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday of every May in the United States, is a time of rememberance for our country's men and women who have died in service to America. It is a day to honor the sacrifices these brave Americans portrayed to help keep our country free. For medical transcriptionists, this day might hold memories of medical reports transcribed to preserve the medical record of one or more of these men and women.

Memorial Day is also viewed by many as the unofficial start of summer activities. This becomes a very busy time of the year for health care workers as accident rates begin to soar while more people spend their time on the road, at pools or lakes, at sporting events, and other such activities. Help to keep your family safe this summer by practicing safety rules and precautions. View my previous posts for some of these tips and guidelines as well as links to other informative sites.

Have a happy Memorial Day and a safe summer!