Chapter 4

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONS

Presented by: Engr. Roger R. Abulencia

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 Medical Transcription
Lesson 1 Equipment and
Technologies

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 Technology/Software and Equipment

• Digital equipment technology, like it is in many other

fields, is the backbone of the modern medical
transcription industry.
• The word to remember here is "digital." Most
transcription equipment has evolved over time, and
digital technology has enabled finished medical
transcripts to be delivered around the world in record
time.
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 Technology/Software and Equipment

• It has also enabled effective medical transcription

outsourcing/offshoring, as well as transcription
professionals from other developing countries such as
India and the Philippines to offer their services at
competitive rates.
• Transcriptionists all over the world can now work from
the comfort of their own homes.

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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Digital microphones:
• These are specialized microphones that are designed to capture
high-quality audio recordings for transcription purposes.
• They usually connect directly to the computer or transcriber
station via USB or other connection ports.
• PC based transcriber software:
• This software is installed on a computer and is used by medical
transcriptionists to transcribe audio recordings.
• It allows for playback, pause, rewind, and other functions to
facilitate transcription.
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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Digital transcriber stations:
• These are dedicated workstations designed specifically for
medical transcriptionists.
• They typically include a computer, monitor, keyboard, and foot
pedal for audio control.
• Telephone dictation equipment:
• This equipment allows medical professionals to dictate patient
notes and other information directly over the phone.
• It may include specialized telephonic recording devices or
software.
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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Dictation management software:
• This software is used to manage dictation files, assign them to
transcriptionists, track progress, and prioritize tasks.
• It streamlines the workflow and ensures efficient handling of
dictation files.
• Transcription desk reference:
• This is a reference book or guide specifically created for
medical transcriptionists.
• It contains commonly used medical terms, abbreviations, and
other relevant information to assist in accurate transcription.

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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Medical spelling checker:
• This software tool helps transcriptionists check the accuracy of
medical terminology and spellings.
• It usually contains an extensive medical dictionary and can
suggest correct spellings or alternative terms.
• Micro-cassette voice recorder:
• This is a portable voice recording device that uses micro-
cassettes to capture dictation.
• It is commonly used by healthcare professionals to record patient
notes and then transcribed by medical transcriptionists.

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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Transcription wrist gloves (fingerless):
• Transcription wrist gloves are specialized gloves designed for
comfortable and accurate typing during transcription work.
• They provide support and reduce strain on the wrists, often with
fingerless design for better dexterity.
• FTP software:
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol) software is used to transfer large
audio files securely between different systems or networks.
• It is commonly used in the medical transcription industry to send
and receive audio files from healthcare professionals.

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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Audio file encryption software:
• This software encrypts audio files to ensure their confidentiality and
security during transmission or storage.
• It helps protect patient information and comply with data protection
regulations.
• Conference recorders:
• Conference recorders are specialized devices or software used to
capture audio recordings of meetings, conferences, or teleconferences.
• In the medical transcription industry, they may be used to capture
discussions involving multiple healthcare professionals.

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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Universal foot pedals:
• Foot pedals are foot-operated devices used by transcriptionists
to control audio playback during transcription.
• Universal foot pedals can be connected to various transcription
software or devices through USB or other interfaces.
• Stedman's electronic medical dictionary:
• Stedman's is a popular and comprehensive medical dictionary
that is available in electronic format.
• It provides definitions, explanations, and proper usage of medical
terms, facilitating accurate transcription.

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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Phone-in dictation system:
• This system allows medical professionals to dictate patient notes
over the phone by calling a designated number.
• The recorded dictations are then transcribed by medical
transcriptionists.
• Transcriber headset:
• A transcriber headset is a specialized headset that provides clear,
high-quality audio playback for transcriptionists.
• It typically has comfortable ear cushions and an adjustable
microphone for better clarity during transcription.

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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Speech mikes:
• Speech mikes, also known as speech recognition microphones,
are used with voice recognition software.
• They are designed to capture voice commands and transcribe
them into text, reducing the need for manual typing.
• Storage memory stick:
• A storage memory stick, such as a USB flash drive, is a portable
storage device used to transfer or store audio files.
• It is frequently used in the medical transcription industry for
backing up or transferring recordings.

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 Technology/Software and Equipment
• Document counting/invoicing software:
• This software is used for counting the number of documents
transcribed by a medical transcriptionist and generating accurate
invoices.
• It helps in tracking productivity and streamlining financial transactions.
• Voice recognition software:
• Voice recognition software converts spoken words into written text,
eliminating the need for manual typing.
• It is used in medical transcription to increase transcription speed and
efficiency.

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