Make Medical Transcripts Error-free Through Diligent Proofreading
A crucial part of the quality audit team, a transcription proofreader is needed to work at different levels for ensuring that the final transcripts being delivered to clients achieve the maximum possible accuracy. Indirectly involved with managing precious human health, medical transcription, needless to say, has to be completely reliable and precise. Proofreading plays a vital part in accomplishing the expected accuracy level in transcripts.
Role of the Proofreader in Medical Transcription
Medical transcription proofreading process involves not only checking the transcripts but also listening to the same audio dictation files and finding errors, if any, in the transcripts. Correcting the errors is also the responsibility of the proofreader. Moreover, the proofreader is expected to format the document according to client specification.
The medical transcription proofreader is responsible for the following activities:
Check for any words or phrases being missed out by the transcriptionists
Finding and correcting grammatical errors
Formatting documents as per client needs
Finding and correcting misspelled words
Carrying out final check on quality before delivering the document
Similar to all skills, it is through practice that proofreading skill may also be improved. The following strategies may be considered for achieving the best results from proofreading:
Whenever you encounter new words, look up the words in the reference book – building a library of effective reference books and sites is good for honing proofreading skill
Briefly proofreading what is being transcripted – as it appears on the word processor screen helps catch missing words easily
Proofreading reports printed on paper is easier than doing so on the screen
Using both an English and a medical spellchecker application as the final step is effective in catching certain types of errors
Tips for Achieving Excellent Proofreading
Assure that dictated words are not being overlooked by adjusting the transcriber unit’s speed control and performing the transcription process slowly
Go ahead with the process of transcription only when you understand what you hear – transcribing only what makes contextual sense is the right policy
Careful proofreading helps detect and correct words that have been wrongly spelled
Keeping punctuation references handy helps avoid punctuation errors that might change the entire meaning of a sentence
Medical transcription proofreaders’ job is a highly-responsible one. It has to be borne in mind that quality of medical care provided to patients depends on the quality of medical transcripts.
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Quality transcripts and customized TAT are our specialties. We assure accuracy of the highest level and HIPAA compliance. You may visit our website www.numinatrans.com for more details.
The Impacts of MACRA and What Practices need to do
The full implementation of MACRA can be felt now. So much has happened after CMS released the 962 pages of proposal during 2015. Causing several confusions, anticipations, and anxieties, this complex law has certainly brought about a revolution in the medical industry – the final version with 2400 pages has been created by CMS after careful analysis of suggestions-making MACRA greatly flexible
Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) – its Direct Impacts
A. Simple Quality Reporting
o In the domain of quality payment program, the Merit –Based Incentive Payment Systems have replaced the three earlier programs, namely, Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), Meaningful Use (MU), and Value-based Payment Modifier (VBM). Moreover, there are other flexibilities such as reduced needs of measures to report on.
B. Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR)
o Physicians will be able to avoid heavy cuts that used to occur under the SGR regime. Repealing SGR was for facilitating the transition to the value-based reimbursement model
C. Increased opportunities and reduced penalties
o Previously, physicians were slapped with overlapping penalties. In MACRA, Clinical Practice Improvement Activities, a list having more than 90 activities needs to be performed by eligible clinicians – physicians get credit for efforts made – this moves away from the ‘all-or-nothing’ model
D. Reduced Negative Adjustment
o An eligible clinician will be able to avoid negative adjustments in this system. Eligible clinicians are allowed to operate at their own pace as per the new rule.
E. Efficient use of Technology
o Physicians are needed to efficiently implement supportive technologies. They have to record quality data, inculcate preventive care, and fill the gaps in care, care coordination, disease management, and several other activities that rely on advanced technology. More efficient use of EHRs and other systems are necessary
F. Better Reimbursement
o Payment received by physicians will increase by 0.5 percent till the year 2019.
G. Exceptional Performance will be rewarded
o Achieving a new threshold score of 3 helps you avoid negative adjustments.
CMS has made the first year, namely, 2017, the ‘transition year’; during this period, MACRA in a highly flexible version will be in place.
Numinatrans, the pioneers in medical transcription services, has been providing reliable and efficient medical billing solutions to practitioners and health care facilities of varied specialties.