Keystone Kopy
Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription – AAMT
Volume 1, Issue 3
October 2005
President’s Message
Where Have We Been; Where Are We Going?
by Carol (Palmer) Croft, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT President
Have you ever started out on a trip not really making a plan or even having a destination in mind?
While I can barely remember having the leisure time to do such a thing, I have found over the last
few decades of working and raising children that I have to have a definite plan, or at least a good
idea of where I’m heading and how to get there.
Leading an organization is very similar. It’s hard to make plans when you don’t really have any
goals or really know what your purpose is or how to go about achieving it.
I certainly know that the rest of the PAMT board finds some of my ideas rather out in left field but
recognized that, back in 1996 when I became president of FAMT (Florida Association for Medical
Transcription), while we had a very viable organization and already had a great annual meeting
plus other innovative programs in place, we had no goals or plan in writing which we could follow
and strive for. We developed the FAMT mission statement,
What’s Inside:
goals, and objectives at our first board meeting that year—
President’s Message pg. 1-2
as I recall, while we had dinner in an informal setting!
Hawaii or Bust pg. 3-4
2005 PAMT Board of Directors pg. 5
This year at our first PAMT board meeting we each came
Is it ―Meology‖ or ―WEology?‖ pg. 5-6
up with goals that we would like to achieve by the end of
Saying Goodbye pg. 8
the year—this time, no lunch until they were submitted!
Message from LVC Member pg. 8
And at our August board meeting we came up with a
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate! pg. 9
mission statement that clearly defines what direction we
Educational Advisory Group pg. 10
would like to take PAMT in this era of change. I think we
PAMT Committees pg. 10
would have worked through dinner if we didn’t finish, but
Calendar of Events pg. 11
all attendees contributed to our new mission statement:
MT Hurricane Relief Fund pg. 11
―The Pennsylvania Association for Medical Your Opinion: PAMT in the Fall? pg. 12
Transcription, in partnership with AAMT and our The MT Evolution pg. 13
local chapters, encourages and supports medical Why Certification? pg. 14-15
transcriptionists to pursue professional CMT Reimbursement pg. 16
development, further education, and certification; HOT Issues from the HOD pg. 17-19
connects members through networking; and Legislative Issues Update pg. 19-20
promotes the profession through advocacy within Wyndham Reservations Info pg. 21
our state and beyond.‖ Letter From the Editor pg. 22
Keeping Up With Evolution pg. 23-24
Membership Corner pg. 24
VAMT Workshop & Symposium pg. 25
Advertising Information pg. 26
Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Continued from pg. 1
While none of us knows
what the outcome of our
journey may be, despite
the best of plans and with
a definite goal in mind, we
believe that the journey in
and of itself is what is
important. It’s the
experiences we gather,
the lives we touch, and
the impact we make that
truly count. I hope you
become part of the
journey with us as we
take PAMT forward into
the era of the electronic
patient record, becoming
a vital part of the
professional team, Pictured above: Marlene Lester, CMT, FAAMT; Barb Weckel, CMT;
providing the best quality Brenda Hurley, CMT, FAAMT; Carol Croft, CMT, FAAMT; Margie
of care for the patient, and Flatley, CMT at the AAMT conference in beautiful Hawaii.
being on the cutting edge
of issues that will impact the
medical transcription profession.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
HAWAII OR BUST!! Third Time’s a Charm!
by Barb Weckel, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT Treasurer
My first dream of going to Hawaii started my senior year in high school
when I sang ―Bali Ha’i‖ at our graduation ceremony. Unfortunately,
finances and going to medical secretarial school prevented that trip.
The second opportunity was supposed to be for my honeymoon, but
my now-ex-husband started college summer school the week after we
got married. The trip never happened during that marriage.
Now, dream #3 of Hawaii—the AAMT meeting on Sept. 6-9, 2005! It
was only a dream once again until a "miracle" happened and I was on
my way.
Barb Weckel in
This trip, however, was not without the ―Chevy Chase chapter.‖ I was Hawaii
making a Muu Muu and on Thursday, September 1, my sewing
machine motor burned up. It could not be repaired, so I bought a new one. I tried to pay for it with
my Visa card but the transaction would not go through. Come to find out that when my credit
union account changed I got a new Visa card but had cut up the wrong one. As my repairman
said, it was a good thing I found out about the card here—and not in Hawaii. Penniless in Hawaii
was not part of my dream. Anyway, I had a new card over-nighted by UPS.
Then it actually happened! I arrived in Hawaii on Sunday, September 4. I spent six glorious days
there. Hawaii was everything I had dreamed about and much more. It was truly paradise. The
Hilton Hawaiian Village was breathtaking. The trips to Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head and the
eastern beaches were unforgettable.
AAMT went all-out to make this event memorable for everyone—from the speakers, the luau
(especially the dancers), vendors, floral arrangements, ―Dog the Bounty Hunter‖ Chapman, and
the Hawaiian culture which the newly-formed Hawaii chapter members demonstrated at every
opportunity. These young chapter members were so warm and friendly. Two of them were hula
dancers. Margie, Marlene, and I even got a private hula lesson!
Our keynote speaker was Ben Glenn. He is
living proof that you can do anything you set
your mind to do. He was diagnosed with
ADD as a child but has become a renowned
motivational speaker and is known as ―The
Chalk Man.‖ He chalked a similar picture to
the one at left in a little over 12 minutes. The
picture he created (see the picture at left)
was then auctioned off to benefit the
Hurricane Katrina MT Relief Fund. Brenda
Hurley, CMT, FAAMT was lucky enough to
become its owner.
And speaking of Brenda, AAMT added a
Chalk art drawing above was created by speaker new category to the yearly awards with
Ben Glenn in Hawaii. You can visit his website at Brenda becoming the first ―Lifetime
http://chalkguy.com/ Achievement Award‖ winner. She has truly
been a cheerleader for AAMT.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Continued from page 3
Congratulations to Brenda and the other winners:
Practitioner of the Year - Kathy Rochel, CMT, FAAMT; CMT Key Award - Amy Buckmaster, CMT,
FAAMT; Educator of the Year - Susan Francis, CMT, FAAMT; Employer of the Year - Medware;
and Student Essay Contest winner - Aurora Moreira of Miami, Florida.
With Boston less than a year away, I urge you all to plan to attend AAMT's Annual Convention
and Expo on August 2-5, 2006. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Take the time to reward
yourself with this trip and renew your commitment to the MT profession and to AAMT. This is an
experience of a lifetime. Start making your plans now.
Honolulu with Diamond Head in the background. Carol, Barb, and Margie enjoy a delicious meal together.
This picture was taken from the Punch Bowl.
Hawaii
residents and
AAMT
members
Lourdes
Ababon,
CMT (l) and
E. Anne
Kealoha,
CMT (r)
demonstrate
hula dancing.
Duane
―Dog the
Bounty
Hunter‖
Chapman
spoke at a
general
session. He
has a TV Vallie Piloian, CMT, FAAMT—our
show and is 2006 AAMT president—gets ready
a famous
for Boston!
Hawaiian.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
2005 PAMT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers Chapter Representatives
President Northern Allegheny Mountain Chapter
Carol Croft, CMT, FAAMT President
Harrisburg, PA Marlene Lester, CMT, FAAMT
Phone: (717) 545-1319 Sheffield, PA
E-mail: carolpa48@aol.com Phone: (814) 968-5594
E-mail: lester53@westpa.net
Vice President
Sandy Kovacs, CMT, FAAMT Greater Pittsburgh Chapter
Gettysburg, PA President
Phone: (717) 337-2260 Flossie Jack, CMT
E-mail: mommak@adelphia.net Homer City, PA
Phone: (724) 479-0648
Secretary E-mail: fjmdi@yahoo.com
Phyllis Anderson Website: http://www.aamt.org/ca/gpc/
Easton, PA
Phone: (610) 258-9796 Lehigh Valley Chapter (recently closed)
E-mail: phyllis1314@msn.com President
Theresa M. Gonzalez, CMT, FAAMT
Treasurer Nazareth, PA
Barbara Weckel, CMT, FAAMT Phone: (610) 759-3693
Reading, PA E-mail: dgonz60143@rcn.com
Phone: (610) 678-6074 Website: http://www.aamt.org/ca/lvc/
E-mail: weck555@comcast.net
Susquehanna Valley Chapter
Delegate President
Margie Flatley, CMT Margie Flatley, CMT
Carlisle, PA Carlisle, PA
Phone: (717) 258-3120 Phone: (717) 258-3120
E-mail: margief@earthlink.net E-mail: margief@earthlink.net
Website: http://www.aamt.org/ca/svc/
PAMT 2006 Board Partner
Vallie Piloian, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT website: www.aamt.org/ca/pamt/
AAMT President Elect
E-mail: vpiloian@medwaremt.com AAMT website: www.aamt.org
Is It ―Meology‖ or Should It Be
―WEology‖ 101?
by Carol (Palmer) Croft, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT President
th
I remember back when my children were in 6 grade getting ready for middle school. A course
which was required before they left elementary school was called ―Meology.‖ I thought this was
strange, but it was a course given as an attempt to get children ready for the rigors of middle
school, where insecurities and low self-esteem could be rampant. Anyone with children going
through middle school knows how hateful some kids can be during this time. It seems that it is
either bully or be bullied. But, I often wondered whether teaching ―WEology‖ might not be a better
alternative. If it was reinforced that we should respect differences, pull together to get through our
struggles, be there to encourage each other, and work together as one on commonalities, would
this work just as well or better?
As a member of AAMT for over 25 years I have heard many reasons for joining or not joining our
professional organizations, getting involved as a volunteer, and why MTs should not be certified.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Continued from page 5
Many of those reasons are ―me‖ oriented, which certainly is not wrong in many circumstances.
As a mother of four, owning my own business, and being involved in many volunteer capacities,
choices had to be made on an individual basis. I am also the first to understand financial
constraints involved. There never seems to be enough money to do everything we want to do.
But consider that investing in your computer, software, reference books and any other MT-related
expenses, belonging to our professional organization, getting involved in AAMT, and being aware
of issues affecting our profession are important tools to invest in. These are not just monetary
investments but also include taking time to share your talents, your voice, and your help.
―We‖ can and will make a difference. Get involved with your local chapter. Start one if you do not
have one. Get involved with PAMT. We need help in every arena. Get involved on a national level
as a committee member, attend the AAMT annual meeting, and write articles. Get involved in the
online Forum on issues that you are concerned about.
Let me tell you, my fellow MTs: If we don’t get involved with change, changes are going to be
made for us. The next few years will get our heads spinning, if they haven’t already started
spinning from the changes we have seen in the last decade.
We are AAMT, not the few people in the administrative office in Modesto. Together, the sky is the
limit. Let’s teach ―WEology‖ and work hard at being positive, help to make changes in our
profession as we transition to the electronic health record, and raise awareness that our
contribution is vital in quality patient care.
It’s got to come from us. WE can make a difference!
Membership Corner
My name is Tabi Dougherty and I have volunteered to give my time as the new
chair of the Membership Committee. I have been a member of AAMT and PAMT
for about 2 years.
I work for a company called ProScript Documentation Services based out of Sarasota, Florida. I
have been a medical transcriptionist for almost 11 years now.
Each month, we receive from AAMT a listing of new and prospective members of PAMT. As of
August 2005, our state chapter has five new members and two prospective members. The
Membership Committee then writes to these people, either thanking them for joining and
encouraging them to become involved in our organization, or telling them about us and
encouraging them to find out more information. If you are interested in helping with this endeavor,
please contact me using the information I will provide at the bottom of this article.
I believe that every person is truly a member of this committee. If you know of anyone interested
in membership in AAMT and lives here in PA, please give them my information or contact me. I
would be happy to talk with anyone requesting information.
In the meantime, thank you all for your help and support in the coming months. With your help, I
know we can reach more MTs and students to get the word out about this great organization!
You can contact me in any of the following means:
Tabi Dougherty Email: tabi@aamtonline.org
714 Pine Grove Road Phone: 717-582-4124 (home)
New Bloomfield, PA 17068 717-315-5485 (cell phone)
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
We Are Saying Goodbye to One of the Originals
It is always sad to see the ending of a chapter or state/regional association, particularly one that
has been in existence for about 25 years. The Lehigh Valley Chapter was formed back in 1981
and was quite a viable chapter with over 100 members for many years. This chapter was located
in the Allentown/Bethlehem area.
As many chapters and component associations have experienced, they have struggled to find a
slate of officers to keep the chapter going, so it is with much regret they are closing their chapter.
They have had super meetings, have had dynamic leaders, and have been very supportive of
PAMT by hosting annual meetings in their area as well as in other ways.
Goodbye to one of the original chapters of AAMT, and thanks to all of those who kept things
going for so long. You will be missed.
Message From a LVC Member
TO: Lehigh Valley Chapter Members
FROM: Joanne Yanni
DATE: September 26, 2005
As a Lifetime Member of the LVC, I received my copy of the July-September 2005 issue of the
Footpedal Express. My heart was truly saddened to hear the news of the chapter folding.
For those of you who may not know me, I was coordinator of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter
(GPC) way back in the late 1970s. The LVC coordinated out of that Chapter. I also served on the
Board of Directors of AAMT in the early 80s, worked with Arlene Frederick, Janice Palmo-Litton,
Norma Lopresti, and others to form PAMT. I also served as the Pennsylvania Delegate for many
years. I have been retired from transcription for a long time, but it will always be a part of my life.
I still have contact with many wonderful MTs that I have met over the years. I was sad when the
Central PA Chapter and the GPC were forced to fold, and now another chapter has had to make
that decision.
In my many years of work in this association, it always came down to leadership. I can tell you,
and I know that I can speak for anyone who has served in any capacity in their chapter, that it is
so difficult to get people to run for office. I, as many others, have served more than once to fill a
position that no one would run for. Every one has other priorities in their life, and volunteering for
an office somehow was not in the top 10 of their priorities.
The LVC was a great one. It was a strong chapter and had many great officers who served,
served, and served again. I had attended many meetings in Bethlehem. I enjoyed the meetings at
the Hotel Bethlehem every year. But what I will always remember are the people whose lives I
touched, and how they inspired me as I worked as Delegate to bring our Pennsylvania chapters’
issues to debate at the House of Delegates meeting at AAMT’s Annual Meeting.
It was so gratifying in the beginning when it all got started with AAMT. Here was an organization
for us ―the unseen professionals.‖ Before I started the GPC, I thought that the only MTs were the
ones that I worked with. When I went to Washington, the closest chapter near Philadelphia, to
attend a Chapter meeting there to see what it was all about before I would commit myself to
starting a chapter, I was hooked immediately by the other transcriptionists I met. I made the
decision on the spot to form a chapter. It didn’t take long to make friendships and to form the
beginning of three more chapters in Pennsylvania.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Continued from page 8
Looking back over the years, I am so proud of what we, as medical transcriptionists, have
accomplished over these many years. We always had pride in our profession and we did make a
difference. We elevated ourselves from the ―basement‖ and made the people around us look up
and take notice of just how professional we were at what we did. With all the struggle, anxiety,
hard work, disappointments, I would not trade a minute of it.
Although I am sad, I can totally understand the decision of the leadership of the LVC. If you watch
that gaggle of geese flying, you will notice that the leader changes often, same with any
organization. If the leader does not drop back and let another take lead, they will all just fall out of
the sky.
So to Theresa, Barbara, Phyllis, and Lois—my very best to you for a job well done over the
years. To all the members, you need to continue to support PAMT as best as you can. My best
to all of you, I wish there was something I could have done to avoid what you are going through,
but I am sure you tried everything possible, and you should all be proud of your
accomplishments. I will always have my great memories of LVC meetings and my many friends
in that area. I do hope our paths will cross again sometime.
Joanne Yanni
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate!
By now you realize our 2006 PAMT annual meeting will be in the Hershey/Harrisburg area and
we will try to entice you, if not with a great program of speakers, if not with a roomful of exhibitors,
if not with great networking potential and the opportunity to meet fellow MTs and make new
friends, then with a secret weapon – CHOCOLATE! You will see some great surprises at our
actual meeting, but we will also be giving you facts, figures, and tasty temptations.
Okay, so how about an ‖EVERYTHING CHOCOLATE‖ opportunity at The Spa at the Hershey
Hotel? You could have a whipped cocoa bath, chocolate hydrotherapy, chocolate bean polish,
chocolate sugar scrub, strawberry parfait scrub, peppermint salt scrub (okay, these last two are
not chocolate, but you wouldn’t want to overdose on chocolate!), chocolate fondue wrap, and a
cocoa massage.
I will have you know the chocolate fondue wrap is not something to eat, and I just have to explain.
It’s an exclusive formula of warmed moor mud and essence of cocoa which revitalizes and
nourishes the skin as it relaxes the body. A luxurious body brushing is followed by the fondue
application. The body is then wrapped in a soft warm blanket to enhance the total effect. A Vichy
Shower rinse culminates the effect. Sounds like heaven!
You do realize we do not pamper ourselves enough—and what better way then to relax and have
chocolate at the same time?
For further information on looking into one of these ―treats‖, go to
www.hersheypa.com/accommodations/the_spa_at_hotel_hershey/spa_treatments/.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Educational Advisory Group
by Carol (Palmer) Croft, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT President
AAMT, in partnership with AHIMA, has developed an approval process for medical transcription
programs. At our AAMT annual meeting in Honolulu the first approved program was announced
as M-TEC. Congratulations to them for their commitment to the future of our profession.
We all recognize that students are our future. The reality is – not all MT programs are created
equal! Some are three months in length, while others are up to two years, with everything in
between.
I had the opportunity to be a guest speaker at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA
in September. This was a great opportunity to talk to students about many things. Usually I talk
about the Palm Beach Community College in West Palm Beach where I was once on the
advisory committee and spoke to students as a guest speaker. Two topics I frequently discussed
with them were working at home as a medical transcriptionist and about our professional
association.
I have a list of about 60 schools that offer medical transcription courses in Pennsylvania that we
know about. If you are already involved on the advisory board of one of the programs in PA, as a
volunteer, or as a guest speaker, I am sure this is greatly appreciated. Your experiences as a
medical transcriptionist are usually what the students want and need to hear. If you’re not yet on
an advisory board but this is something that you’re interested in, consider doing so. Your input
could influence local students in their decision to pursue a career in medical transcription.
PAMT would like to establish a committee which would be willing to get involved with MT
programs in Pennsylvania. Its purpose would be to encourage instructors to get their program
approved by AAMT, to give input on their program and the reference books needed for the
students, to help set up externship programs for the students, and to provide guest speakers.
If you want to join us on this committee, please contact Carol Croft, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT
President, at carolpa48@aol.com. Also, if you have suggestions about things this group could do,
please let us know.
PAMT COMMITTEES
Bylaws/P&P Legislative Committee
Phyllis Anderson Tabi Dougherty
phyllis1314@msn.com tabi@aamtonline.org
Membership Cert Connector
Tabi Dougherty Carol Croft, CMT, FAAMT
tabi@aamtonline.org Carolpa48@aol.com
Newsletter Fundraising
Grace LaConte Needed
laconteproof@hotmail.com
2006 On-Site Annual Meeting
Web Site Manager Coordinator
Theresa Gonzalez, CMT, FAAMT Barb Weckel, CMT
dgonz60143@rcn.com Sandy Kovacs, CMT, FAAMT
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Calendar of Events
October
October 8, 2005 – Maryland Association for Medical Transcription Annual Symposium at Harbor
Hospital, 3001 S. Hanover St., Baltimore, MD (Max & Rosalie Baum Medical Conf. Center).
Contact Kathy Quackenbush, CMT, FAAMT, at rockenmrsq@comcast.net
October 22, 2005 – GPC Fall Symposium (6 credits possible) – UPMC Montefiore. Contact Deb
Purse, CMT at debpurse@peoplepc.com for further information
November
November 12, 2005 – SVC meeting – Carlisle Regional Medical Center
January 2006
January 21, 2006 – SVC meeting – TBA
March 2006
March 18, 2006 – SVC meeting – TBA
April 28-29, 2006
PAMT Annual Meeting & Educational Conference – Wyndham Hotel in Hershey-Harrisburg
August 2-5, 2006
AAMT National Conference – Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, MA
August 2007
AAMT National Conference – Reno Hilton International, Reno, NV
August 4-10, 2008
AAMT National Conference – Hilton in Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL
MT Hurricane Relief Fund
Everyone is aware of the devastation our fellow Americans in the Gulf have experienced over the
last few weeks, and will be experiencing for the foreseeable future. The impact of this is
widespread. Many have lost homes, their belongings, their jobs.
While many of you, no doubt, have helped in many ways through the various organizations doing
an outstanding job trying to help these victims, AAMT had immediately, through the efforts of
some very dedicated volunteers, established several ways we can help fellow MTs. Many blast
emails have been sent to us with ways we can help, and I hope you have been getting those.
Carol Croft, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT President, is the contact person here in Pennsylvania if you
have any equipment, reference books, or other items that can help replace those lost by our
colleagues. Please contact her at carolpa48@aol.com if you have items to be shipped. If you
would like to donate money specifically for our fellow MTs, the Online Chapter has stepped up to
the plate to organize this. Contact them at info@aamtonline.org.
We have to also be aware, since Carol experienced this personally last year when hurricanes hit
South Florida, that there may be MTs who worked for hospitals affected by the hurricanes. I know
AAMT has established an alliance with www.healthecareers.com/Katrina/ to help medical
professionals find jobs, but if you can help in this regard please get in touch with the AAMT office.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Congratulations to M-TEC
for achieving recognition as
AAMT’s First Approved Educational Program in 2005!
Medical Transcription Education Center, Inc.
Toll Free: 1-877-733-4346
Website: http://www.mtecinc.com
STRENGTHENING THE MT INDUSTRY THROUGH EDUCATION
Approved by the American Association For Medical Transcription
AAMT APPROVED TRAINING
FREE EMPLOYER JOB LISTING
EMPLOYEE ASSESSMENT
54 CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS PRIOR APPROVED BY AAMT
The Medical Transcription Education Center has set the gold standards for comprehensive and
effective distance education programs, becoming the first school to achieve approval through
the American Association For Medical Transcription. M-TEC offers basic, intermediate, and
advanced diploma and certificate level medical transcription training along with products for the
MT seeking certification as a means to continue their education and employers interested in
employee assessments and professional development. The M-TEC Skillbuilding Wizard is prior
approved by AAMT for 54 continuing education credits. Employers agree that graduates of the
M-TEC premier program are making the transition to entry-level MT with little effort.
For information on adding your company to our employer list or for individual,
institutional, or corporate training and continuing education options, please visit
http://www.mtecinc.com. We would love to hear from you!
Approved by the State Of Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools Certificate #97-04-1463T
Approved by the American Association For Medical Transcription
Your Opinion, Please: PAMT in the Fall?
While we informally polled attendees at our PAMT annual meeting in Gettysburg,
we would like YOU, the PAMT membership, to give us your input as well.
The suggestion has been brought up about changing the PAMT annual meeting to the fall. The
spring has posed some conflicting dates with other events around our meeting time and perhaps
the fall with the great Pennsylvania foliage would entice some of our southern friends to attend.
We definitely do not want to conflict with meetings traditionally held in the fall, so please let us
know what you think. A possible date for 2007 is the last weekend in October (October 26-27,
2007).
Contact Carol Croft or any of the board members with your thoughts regarding this.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
The MT Evolution: From ―Old School‖ Transcription
to Present-Day Language Specialists
by Maggie M. Gillespie, CMT
Within the last 10 years, the medical transcription industry has gone through
quite an evolution. The progression from medical transcription of the
past to medical language specialty of the future is an important and, at times,
challenging endeavor.
There was a time when verbatim transcription was perfectly acceptable. The mindset seemed to
be that as long as the transcribed report reflected exactly what was dictated, the responsibility fell
solely on the physician. Well, times have changed and so have our responsibilities in providing an
accurate, clear, and legally appropriate medical document.
As we are all aware, there are times when dictations may contain inconsistencies, misuse of
grammar or spelling, statements that are inappropriate for a patient's medical record, and even
terminology, medication, and procedural dictation errors. This is where we come in. As medical
language specialists, it is our job to question or judiciously edit these types of mistakes when
noted. A well-trained and experienced MT must have the grammar and medical terminology
knowledge to identify when an error is made and the resources to research and/or question the
dictator. Becoming certified is a great way for your customer, employer, and for you yourself to be
certain that you possess these skills and knowledge.
Also, within the past few years JCAHO has compiled a list of dangerous and unacceptable
abbreviations. [List can be found here: http://www.aapmr.org/hpl/pracguide/jcahosymbols.htm]
These are abbreviations that could be misread or misinterpreted and should not be used in
abbreviated form. Transcribed reports from the past are often full of abbreviations which may be
clear to the dictator but not to others handling the document. Because of the rise in medical
malpractice cases and the concern over patient safety, abbreviations in general can be unclear
and, at my workplace, for example, are often spelled out unless the abbreviation is widely known.
If in doubt, remember that medical reports are legal documents and should be clear to medical
and legal professionals.
As a result of the evolution in our industry, we now work much more closely with those who are
involved in coding and billing and with the physicians themselves. Providing essential headings
for billing and insurance reimbursement in each document helps make this process more
complete and efficient. Working with physicians by providing them dictation templates with the
essential headings already marked is one of the ways we are partnering with them to encourage
complete dictation habits, not to mention creating improvements in dictation style. It is now
acceptable (or preferred, depending on your organizational preferences) to add headings to
hospital reports to make them less ambiguous to the reader.
As you can see by a few of the evolutionary changes mentioned above, our work is now much
more than just typing what is dictated. Our expertise is paramount in providing an accurate legal
and medical record by keeping patient safety our highest priority. Although change can be
difficult, it is within all of us to attain a high level of medical language specialty, obtain our
certification, and be the best MTs we can be.
Official “Do Not Use” list: http://www.jcaho.org/accredited+organizations/patient+safety/dnu.htm
JCAHO survey results: http://www.aamt.org/StaticContent/Download/JCAHOSurveyResults.pdf
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Why Certification?
by Carol (Palmer) Croft, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT President
―I can’t afford to take the exam.‖
―It doesn’t make any difference where I work.‖
―I don’t have time to go to meetings to keep up my continuing education.‖
Have you heard any of these reasons? Perhaps others? After attending the AAMT annual
meeting in Honolulu and the presentation by Betty Honkonen, CMT, FAAMT, who helped write
the The CMT Review Guide (which was developed by AAMT), it never ceases to amaze me how
much knowledge we need to know to produce quality patient documents!
Our CMT credential was developed over 25 years ago, but it is currently a voluntary exam. For
many reasons, some of which are mentioned above, many MTs have not been willing to take this
exam. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that most acute care medical transcriptionists in
the State of Pennsylvania could take this exam and pass it, so why not? An MT in Pennsylvania
emailed me with concerns about the possibility of mandatory certification or licensure which has
been introduced at the state department here in PA. Below is a summary of my reply.
Last year a resolution was passed at the AAMT House of Delegates which addressed creating
mandatory entry-level certification. It was suggested that efforts be made to pursue the adoption
of certification at state and national levels. Recently, when several of us met with the PA
Department of Revenue regarding the unfair issue of MTs having to charge sales tax for their
services, some legislative aides asked if we have a required certification credential. We explained
that our profession does have a CMT credential, but it is only voluntary, not mandatory. We were
then told that having a widely-recognized certification credential would clarify and better define
our professional status.
Currently, anyone can claim to be an MT and can have access to confidential patient information.
This happens far too often! I’ve heard horror stories of people walking into a doctor’s office and
say ―I can type‖ and getting the account by charging less than what an experienced MT is
charging. Or have you tested a potential MT for your department who says they have ―years of
experience‖ only to find that they produce major errors when tested?
With the implementation of the electronic patient record and emphasis on quality patient care and
quality documentation, we are integral participants in that process.
At the AAMT annual meeting in Hawaii, we previewed a new video about the medical
transcription profession. Dee Thomas, CMT, a service owner and MT in Jacksonville, FL, hit the
nail on the head: Medical transcription is one of the few professions which does not have a
mandatory credential or a widely accepted credential recognized and valued by other medical
professions or employers! Yet we provide such an important role. The public awareness
campaign this year with the baby picture on a button and the caption, ―Have You Read Your
Medical Record?‖ began the momentum that we witnessed during Lobby Day and continued to
our annual meeting on making the public aware that we have to educate everyone about the role
of the MT in quality patient care. As MTs, we have never done a very good job of articulating this
message. We do not ―toot our own horns‖ to inform our employers of how valuable we are. We
have to start doing this now.
The CMT exam is the only measure of competency for medical transcriptionists. It is the ―proof in
the pudding‖ in our profession. But if we CMTs do not value this credential ourselves, how would
we expect our employers, other medical professionals, and legislators that pass laws that affect
us, to recognize and value it?
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Continued from page 14
Would your HIM director hire a coder who is not certified? How about a tumor registrar? Look at
the web site for AHIMA or PHIMA and take a look at the various credentials after the names of
those involved.
No doubt, our employers want experienced, professional medical transcriptionists. They want
individuals who care about keeping up with the latest in medical procedures, pharmaceuticals,
and technology. Where do we get that information? Certainly the Internet makes researching
much easier, but continuing education offered through chapter and/or state/regional associations
and through in-services given at hospitals are invaluable. Also, the on-line chapter, with over 400
members, is a unique and convenient way of never having to leave your home to attend their
super programs! Shonna Bradley Bender, CMT, has also offered many ideas in the Susquehanna
Valley Chapter newsletter on how to acquire continuing education.
―I can’t afford the exam!‖ you might argue. Ask other medical professionals what they pay for their
certification, for their dues, for their continuing education—and ask about the salary range for a
coder, for instance. They provide a very valuable role as well, but where do they get the
information for revenue reimbursements? The revenue cycle often begins with quality medical
records! We used to parallel the profession of coders, and there were some MT programs that
taught coding, but now coders have achieved a professional recognition which has left us behind.
It’s time we raised the bar for medical
transcriptionists in their role of quality patient
care. Each of us needs to take the responsibility
in making this fact known.
While mandatory licensure, certification and/or
registration may never happen in the State of
Pennsylvania in my lifetime, we are certainly
making every attempt to make our legislators
aware of who we are, that we impact everyone
at some time in their life, and that the level of
expertise needed to be a medical
transcriptionist is incredible.
Ask your employer to pay for your certification
by reimbursing all or even partial fees after you
pass. Ask your employer to recognize the CMT
credential with a salary differential. Be
proactive. We’ve settled for less for too long and
now is the time to make a change.
PAMT is establishing an award to honor new
CMTs. Take a look at the information in this
newsletter. Any PA resident who takes and
passes the CMT exam in a calendar year can fill
out the form, send it to our treasurer, and at the
end of that calendar year one name will be
pulled for reimbursement of his or her CMT
exam fees.
So what are you waiting for? This is time for
you to show your professional pride—
become a CMT!
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
CONGRATULATIONS to Our New CMTs!
by Barb Weckel, CMT, FAAMT, PAMT Treasurer
Were you successful in passing the CMT exam in 2005?
If so, you may be eligible to apply for reimbursement by PAMT for the cost of the exam! At our
August 20, 2005, PAMT board meeting, the board unanimously voted to reimburse one CMT the
cost of the exam each year, as funds allow. This person must successfully pass the CMT exam in
the current calendar year.
We are very aware of the time new CMTs have spent in preparation for the exam, not to mention
the cost of the exam, and we are so proud of them for recognizing the value of this credential. To
become a Certified Medical Transcriptionist by exam is truly important to our professional
recognition. This is why we are pleased to offer the following.
RULES:
The exam must be taken and passed in the current calendar year. As such, all new CMTs for this
year (2005) can submit an entry form to the PAMT treasurer for consideration. (We hope to have
the forms available on the PAMT website soon). The winning entry will be selected through a
drawing by the PAMT board of directors at the first board meeting of the next calendar year. The
award will be presented at the PAMT Annual Meeting. A check for the cost of the exam will be
sent at the time of notification of the winner. The winner must be a resident of the State of
Pennsylvania. The winner does not need to be a member of AAMT. This award will be given on a
yearly basis as funding is available.
CMT REIMBURSEMENT
ENTRY FORM
Name ______________________________________ CMT # ________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Phone number ____________________ E-mail ____________________________
Date of exam __________________________ Cost of exam __________________
Please submit form to PAMT treasurer:
Barbara Weckel, CMT, FAAMT
18 South Hull Street
Reading, PA 19608
Tel: 610-678-6074 fax: 610-678-0978 (call first); e-mail: weck555@comcast.net
Deadline: December 31 of the current calendar year
_________________________________
FOR TREASURER'S USE
Notification of winner _________
Reimbursement date _____________
Check # ________________
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Hot Issues from the HOD
by Margie Flatley, CMT, PAMT Delegate
Hi everyone. I am back from the land of aloha! Here is the list of issues that I sent out to you
before the Conference along with the results from the House.
There is one resolution submitted to be voted on by the House. It is to amend the Bylaws to allow
student and postgraduate members to vote and hold office in a local component. As it stands
right now, they can be members but cannot hold an office or vote.
This resolution was passed. Student and postgraduate members will be allowed to vote
and hold office in a local component.
TREASURER’S REPORT
There was a report a few weeks ago that we were almost $300,000 in the hole. Then we were
told that because of the accounting procedures, we don’t really know how much money we have.
One accounting says that we are almost $300,000.00 in the hole and, by another method, we are
$60,000.00 ahead. The financial statements are also available on line at
http://www.aamt.org/scriptcontent/delegate.cfm. There have been many cost-reducing measures
implemented that have yet to have full effect. This has been a very hot topic. Please go to the
public forums at the AAMT web site and see what the discussions have been about.
http://www.aamt.org/forum/
This issue was addressed by a last minute resolution calling for the formation of a
Finance Council to oversee the financial operations of AAMT. There was spirited
discussion on this issue and, to put it in a nutshell, the resolution was defeated because
we already have a Treasury Committee whose role it is to keep an eye on the finances.
Peter Preziosi also made a presentation about our current finances which was
reassuring. We are in a "start-up" business mode and need to find ways other than
membership dues to support our professional organization. There is a plan in place to
resolve our financial issues and we need time to implement it.
In fact, a proposal was made to increase membership dues and it was defeated.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO POLICIES & PROCEDURES
In order to keep up with issues as they occur, conducting online meetings for the House of
Delegates each quarter has been proposed. The appropriate Policy has been written for
approval.
In concert with the online meetings, online voting by delegates would be appropriate. So this
policy is also submitted.
A provision for an alternate delegate to participate if the delegate is unavailable for the online
meeting has also been written.
This issue was passed by the House. We will be having quarterly meetings of the House
of Delegates on-line. If the Delegate cannot attend, an alternate delegate will do so.
ACTION ISSUE:
NOMINATING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TASK FORCE
This task force has proposed electing the members of the Nominating Committee. They feel that
this would afford the membership more of a voice in the process of choosing board members.
This proposal was defeated.
They have also proposed starting the Board term of office at the annual meeting. Currently, the
board members begin their terms as of January 1st and the elections are held AFTER the annual
meeting. This gives the members a chance to meet the candidates for office.
This proposal was defeated.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
As far as qualifications for candidacy are concerned, they propose to add financial experience to
the list of requirements. The current requirements are that the candidate must be a Practitioner
member of AAMT for at least three consecutive years immediately preceding candidacy and must
have experience or knowledge in at least one of the following practice-related areas: technology-
information systems, quality assurance, government/industry regulations and standards, MT
education, business development or electronic medical records.
This proposal was passed.
Another proposal is to allow one corporate member to be elected to the Board. We need to
decide if we want to have a corporation represented on our Board of Directors and for how long.
Could one run and be elected every year or maybe limited to only one on the board at any one
time?
There was also spirited discussion regarding this issue. It was defeated.
Since AAMT pays for the Board members to attend board meetings, a provision has been
suggested for those board members who may reside outside the US that they will have to pay
their expenses to the nearest point of entry to their destination.
This provision was passed.
Nominating Committee Ballot Determination – a change in wording of the policy to nominate only
2 candidates for each open slot instead of at least 2 candidates.
This was passed.
A rating questionnaire has been developed for the purpose of making the evaluation process
more objective in selecting candidates for the Board of Directors. The list of questions can be
found at http://www.aamt.org/scriptcontent/delegate.cfm
This was accepted by the House of Delegates.
ACTION ISSUE:
BYLAWS COMMITTEE
In addition to amendments to accommodate all of these proposals, there is another amendment
allowing delegates to be credentialed 30 days before the meeting, instead of having to be 120
days before. There is also an amendment to allow non-AAMT members to join the Local Chapter
as nonvoting members.
This was approved by the House. With the quarterly meetings, delegates will have to be
credentialed 30 days before the next upcoming meeting in order to participate.
ACTION ISSUE:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING
This is a method of brainstorming about trends in the industry with the goal being to adjust our
strategic plan as the professional landscape changes. On the website at
http://www.aamt.org/scriptcontent/delegate.cfm
There are forms to fill out regarding the following issues:
Expand the pool of certified medical transcriptionists and the number of individuals
entering the profession.
Create future professional relevance by taking a leadership role in transitioning to
electronic health records.
Establish rigorous standards for MT educational programs.
Enhance the visibility of the MT profession and industry
Apparently there was not much response to this and April Martin, the chair, has asked
that responses be forwarded to her by November 30, 2005.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
ACTION ISSUE:
IS IT TIME TO CHANGE THE ASSOCIATION’S NAME?
This is in the form of a memo from Kim Buchanan, CMT, FAAMT. In December 2006, AAMT will
be moving out of 100 Sycamore Avenue due the expiration of their lease. Logistically, this would
be a good time to change the name of our association since they will have to change their
address on their articles of incorporation, bank accounts, stationery, etc. Please think about what
we should call ourselves.
This never came up for discussion. It will probably come up at subsequent meetings so
please keep sending me your ideas.
Legislative Issues Update
by Tabi Dougherty
To date, a lot has been done in the advocacy/legislative arena for medical
transcriptionists in the State of PA. This has been, and promises to be, quite an
exciting time for PAMT as well as AAMT!
The PAMT Legislative Committee itself did not really begin until July 2005, but legislative issues
actually began in March 2005. That is when Shonna Bradley-Bender, CMT discovered that
medical transcriptionist services in this state have to charge their clients a sales and use tax
unless they work for a not-for-profit facility. However, a close cousin, the court reporter, or a
stenographer, does not have to charge this same tax to their clients. She then wrote a 19-page
letter to the Office of the Chief Counsel at the Department of Revenue to explain exactly what a
medical transcriptionist does and to ask them to rethink their decision on this issue.
On June 9, 2005, Shonna Bradley-Bender, CMT; Carol Croft, CMT, FAAMT; Sandy Kovacs,
CMT, FAAMT; Margie Flatley, CMT, along with Peter Preziosi, PhD, CAE, AAMT Executive
Director met with Jeff Snavely, Deputy Chief Counsel at the Department of Revenue. After a
great meeting at which we presented the case why MT services should not be a taxable entity if
court reporters and stenographers were exempt, he told us he would take this issue to a review
committee which meets every two weeks.
We also provided Mr. Snavley with a summary of the points brought up during this meeting to
help him with our appeal. However, to this date, over three months later, we have NOT HEARD
ANYTHING REGARDING THE DECISION! We have called, written emails as well as letters
asking why, but nothing has happened! We will need your help in this regard. It is not fair that we
should be a taxable entity, but there are exceptions to this for court reporters and stenographers!
If you work for lawyers you do not have to charge this; if you work for doctors you do? This
sounds very discriminatory and certainly is unfair. Contact your PA state senator and
representative letting them know that we have tried to go the appropriate route, but now it’s time
we had their help. Do we need to have support for an addendum to the current bill, like they have
with court reporters and stenographers, exempting us as well, or do we have to introduce a bill?
We can provide you with a copy of the summary sent to Mr. Snavely. We can let you know how to
find your state senator and/or representative. Go to www.legis.state.pa.us/ and you can put in
your zip code to find this information. We do have a list of email addresses for many of these
legislators. Also, go to their local office. Take a stand. Whether you are impacted by this tax or
not WE need to stick together. What is fair is fair!
Also later that day, while Dr. Preziosi was in town, they met with the aides for Senator Costa,
Senator Fumo, and Senator Mellow. It was during these meetings that the issue of certification
came up and whether we had mandatory certification or licensure. It was mentioned that if this
came about, the tax issue may be a moot point. We educated all three of these aides about MTs!
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Continued from page 19
This set the stage for another round of meetings at the Capitol with more senators and
representatives and/or their aides. Peter Preziosi returned to the Harrisburg area to assist Carol
Croft and me in that endeavor. We met with several legislators, either personally or their aides,
who were very eager to help us with information and were eager to learn more about medical
transcription, and listened to the two issues we raised, one being the tax issue, the other
mandatory licensure. Several of the people we met with those two days in July 2005, July 19 and
20, stated they would support us in our endeavor with the tax issue if the Department of Revenue
decided against making us tax exempt.
As far as the issue of mandatory licensure goes, we were given several things to do before taking
it before the legislature. We are still waiting on the State Department’s decision regarding our
Sunrise Evaluation Report – a questionnaire filled out to determine if we qualified for licensure or
not. Some of these suggestions were to consider affiliating ourselves with the Pennsylvania
Patient Safety Authority, PA Medical Society, and PA Health Information Management
Association. It was also suggested to contact area doctors and the Governor’s Office on
Healthcare Reform.
I realize that the issue of mandatory licensure is a hot topic in the MT world at this time. It was
discussed at several sessions at the AAMT ACE meeting in Honolulu. With certification in place
for more than a quarter of a century, it’s beyond time to bring this to light in our medical
transcription community and to light in the medical profession in general, as well as the public.
We need to let them know who we are and what we do. A couple of things to consider – all of our
healthcare counterparts, surgical techs, nurses, doctors, EMTs, HIM directors, tumor registrars,
and coders, have to be credentialed and/or licensed in order to perform their duties; why not
MTs? Why should protected health information fall into just anyone’s hands? We are just as
highly trained, skilled, and knowledgeable as our healthcare counterparts. Consider this for a
moment: Jane Doe calls herself a medical transcriptionist. A doctor decides to hire her on to do
his reports. She makes several medication errors that result in the patient either dying or
becoming ill. If you were that patient would you want someone like Jane Doe typing your report?
Another project in the works is a State Lobby Day some time in 2006. This is still in the planning
stages so more information will follow. If you would like to help out in this regard, please let me
know at the email listed below.
As you can see, there are a number of issues being tackled in the legislative arena of PAMT. I am
looking for volunteers to help with these projects. Most of it is letter writing, contacting legislators
or MTs. You do not necessarily have to meet with the legislators – a letter goes a long way.
If you would like to help please email me at tabi@aamtonline.org . I can also be reached at the
above email address with any comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns regarding any of
the issues outlined above.
Together, we can make a difference!
More Resources to Read...
ADVANCE for HIM magazine – http://health-information.advanceweb.com/Main.aspx
For the Record magazine – http://www.fortherecordmag.com/ftr_subscribe.shtml ($13/yr)
JAAMT and Plexus back issues online – http://www.aamt.org/
Stedman’s Word Challenge – http://stedmans.com/section.cfm/50/51
Medical abbreviations list – http://www.media4u.com/bbp/medabb_a.html
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Make your Reservations Now
For PAMT's April 28-29, 2006 Annual Conference
At the Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey
4650 Lindale Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: 1-800-996-3426 (or 717-564-5511)
Fax: 717-564-6173
Room Rates $105 (single, double, triple, quad)
In order to get discounted room rates, mention that you are attending the PAMT meeting.
Deadline for special room rate is April 6, 2006.
th
As you know, and will be reminded in the next few months, we will be having our 18 Annual
Meeting & Educational Conference at the Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey. The board has already
held a meeting there and plans are already in the works.
The 2005 PAMT annual meeting was very successful with a roomful of exhibitors, attendees, and
outstanding speakers. And, this meeting was mainly planned by only three people! Can you
imagine what this meeting will be like if we have many more helping? That’s right, we need YOU!
Help with getting us speakers, or suggesting topics, suggesting exhibitors, finding sponsors,
advertisers, getting donated items for the goodie bags and raffles, helping work the registration
table, being a greeter, helping with the program, and many more little or big things you can help
with. You don’t have to live in this area to help. Jump in and get involved.
Also, tell your colleagues about this meeting. We have already been working hard at getting
information out about this meeting – check out the PAMT web site at www.aamt.org/ca/pamt/ to
see the brochure which has been developed by our newsletter editor – we took this to the AAMT
annual meeting to show it off and entice our fellow MTs throughout the country to come to
Pennsylvania!
Barb Weckel, CMT and Sandy Kovacs, CMT, FAAMT will be co-onsite coordinators of this
meeting. Please contact them to volunteer. They are super people to work with!!!! Their
information is listed in the PAMT board information.
To get more information about the Wyndham Harrisburg-Hershey go to their web site. Airport
Shuttle Service is available every half hour. It is located at the second exit off the Pennsylvania
Turnpike on I-283, very accessible from I-81 and I-83 – so it’s very convenient to get to.
Also, please go to the Wyndham By Request site - Sign up for this free on the Wyndham website.
Choose your favorite welcome beverage and snack, pillow type, and MORE. Join Wyndham By
Request BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR RESERVATION to personalize your room. This adds a
special touch to your stay. Go to www.wyndham.com and click on ―wyndhambyrequest.‖
No doubt, PAMT will work very hard to make this even better than the Gettysburg meeting, but
with your help it we can definitely do it!
New & Generic Drug Approvals (http://www.fda.gov/cder/index.html)
August 30, 2005
Actoplus Met (pioglitazone and metformin HCl) Tablets, Takeda Global
Cholestyramine Oral Suspension, Par Pharma
Cholestyramine Light Oral Suspension, Par Pharma
21
Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Letter From the Editor
by Grace M. LaConte, PAMT Newsletter Editor
Dear Pennsylvania MTs,
On Saturday, August 20th I attended PAMT’s board meeting at the Wyndham Hershey-
Harrisburg. WOW, are we in for a treat this August for our annual PAMT meeting! The Wyndham
is a gorgeous, luxurious hotel with some really exciting features like a very convenient rear
parking lot, spacious hallways and gathering areas, and a relaxing indoor/outdoor pool with a
really neat passageway that connects the two.
Some interesting things are happening with PAMT right now: We’re awaiting word on the tax
issue that Carol spoke about in the last edition of the Keystone Kopy, and we’re also taking steps
toward being the first state with mandatory licensure for MTs. In addition, despite the sad end of
the Lehigh Valley Chapter, our other local chapters (Susquehanna Valley, Greater Pittsburgh,
and Northern Allegheny Mountain) are doing well and welcoming new members. The SVC
meeting on September 24th at Lancaster General Hospital was attended by 45 MTs, 28 of whom
are employed by LGH. It was exciting to see new faces and to welcome 3 new members to the
SVC chapter and 1 to AAMT.
You might be interested in attending state events other than in Pennsylvania, and for this reason
we are including information about two that are coming up: Maryland Association for Medical
Transcription’s Annual Symposium at Harbor Hospital on October 8th, and Virginia Association
for Medical Transcription’s ―Dark Side‖ workshop and symposium at Virginia Baptist Hospital in
Lynchburg, VA on November 11-13th.
Enjoy this issue of the Keystone Kopy and remember to learn something new every day!
Grace M. LaConte, Editor
laconteproof@hotmail.com
An online MT writes:
Ode to PAMT
A state founded by a Penn
making strides to do it again
organizing a task force in adoration
our PAMT wants mandatory MT certification
A Chapter with vision,
insight, and goals
by tackling tax laws
concerning MT loopholes
To the state flag that waves
Virtue, Liberty, and Independence
I say watch out for the Chapter
that stands for integrity in presence.
{Kudos to you, Tabi for getting involved with this. Hats off to the PAMT. Alice}
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Keeping Up with Evolution
By Margie Flatley, CMT, SVC President
When I learned to type, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I learned on a
manual typewriter. Soon after that, the IBM Selectric arrived on the scene.
That was so cool. It had an adjustment for the amount of force you needed to work the keys so I
could bang on it just like a manual if I wanted. As more time passed, electric typewriters became
affordable. I took one to college. It had black ribbon and red ribbon. You could adjust it for carbon
copies so that it would type harder if you had copies to make. I had an eraser with a brush on the
end. Wow, what a technological marvel.
After I entered the workforce, along came electric typewriters with auto-erase! There was a key
on the keyboard and, when you pressed it, it would lift the characters off the page! Wow!
The next thing I remember coming on the scene were copy machines. You didn't have to type
carbon copies all at once. You could take your document to the copy machine after it was typed
and proofed and make as many copies as you needed. No more erasing carbons!
The next innovation was the memory typewriter. It would remember up to 3 or 4 lines of text. You
could type the text and then read it over in the little window and then print it on the page. If you
had made a mistake, the correction key would go back and remember what was there and lift it
off the page. Boy, I went through a lot of those little sticky reels of correction ribbon!
Then, in the late 1970s, along came word processors—wow! You could just back over what you
had typed and retype it. Along with that came data entry and keypunching. I worked for many
years keypunching payroll information part-time. Word processing made the task of producing
documents so much easier. It also has gone through its own evolutionary process—from WANG
to WordStar to Works to WordPerfect and now Microsoft Word. I have used them all. Each new
generation of software has more and more bells and whistles to make our lives more interesting.
Depends on how you look at it—more complicated or easier. The more flexible you are, the
simpler it is to learn. It’s important to grow and improve with each of these changes.
Likewise, our profession has gone through many generations of evolutionary change, the current
level of which is speech recognition. While in Hawaii at the ACE (Annual Convention & Expo), I
attended several presentations. The topics of speech recognition and the electronic health record
(EHR) kept coming up over and over.
During a panel discussion on the future of our profession, speech recognition was discussed.
One of the terms used in the discussion was "retooling."
When an automobile manufacturer is going to begin to produce a new model, they have to
"retool" the factory so that it produces the correct size and shape parts to make up the new
model. Similarly, we need to ―retool‖ ourselves so that we can fit into the EHR using the most
advanced technology available. This way, we can keep up and be competitive in today’s
marketplace. Personally, I enjoy learning to use new methods and software. It helps to keep my
brain alive!
The efficacy of the EHR was brought to light on our local news just last week. During the recent
hurricane in New Orleans, thousands of medical records were destroyed in the flood. People who
had evacuated could not verify their prescriptions or their medical histories. However, the ones
who had used the services of the Veterans Administration had no problem. The VA has been
using an EHR system for a while and their records were readily available from the database
shared by all VA facilities.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Continued from page 23
The White House has recently mandated that the electronic medical record should become a
reality over the next ten years. Each of us needs to be up to speed with the development of this
technology and any peripheral technology that will be brought to the front. I believe that speech
recognition will also be a part of this. The technology is not good enough to do the job on its own
and it should not be expected to. It needs the intervention of the human brain, one that is
experienced and educated, in order to assure the accuracy of the health care record.
Speech recognition could be the answer to our current shortage of medical transcriptionists and
the controversy over off-shoring of our medical information. I certainly would prefer to have my
medical information processed by a speech recognition engine and then edited by an
experienced, educated, professional medical transcriptionist.
Speech recognition is cropping up all over the country. It is time for us to stop our griping and
whining and get on board with this technology of the 21st century. If you plan on retiring soon,
you may be able to get by for a few years with what you are currently using. For me, I need to
keep paying on my mortgage for a long, long time—and so I need to keep up on ―retooling‖ my
skills as we enter this new era of our profession.
Soundalikes
Taken from The AAMT Book of Style, 2nd edition, p. 495, 498
Complement – that which completes or Ethanal – acetaldehyde
makes perfect Ethinyl – ethynyl
Compliment – an expression of praise or Ethanol – alcohol
admiration Ethenyl – vinyl
Opti-Script, Inc. is a fast-growing, high-tech medical transcription service which has been in business for
over 10 years located in central Pennsylvania.
Currently looking for full-time (36+ hours) and part-time (less than 36 hours) medical transcriptionists
with at least 2 years of acute care and/or multi-specialty clinic experience. All transcriptionists are home-
based.
We offer the following:
Wages $0.06 to 0.08 per 65-character line with headers and footers
Paid training
No QA penalties
Healthcare Medical Insurance
Dental/Vision Insurance
401K Savings Plan
Christmas Club
Credit Union
Six Paid Holidays
Up to three weeks paid vacation
Company-provided PC, monitor, keyboard, footpedal, speakers, headset, UPS, and software
Excellent IT & QA support
Contact: Karen Tyndale, Transcription Supervisor
Opti-Script, Inc.
1-800-494-7500 x 122
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
Come and find out how to use the Force.
Contact Sue Oakes, VAMT President, at SCOAKES@sentara.com
There will be a gathering of Jedi or Masters who will give us the skills
to negotiate through the challenges of the future and guide us away
from the “dark side”.
WORKSHOP
DATE: November 11, 2005
PLACE: Virginia Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia
SPEAKERS: Laura Bryant and Brenda Hurley
SYMPOSIUM
DATE: November 12-13, 2005
PLACE: Lynchburg, Virginia
SPEAKERS: Peter Preziosi, PhD, CAE, Pat Bowen, Vallie Piloian,
Susan Pierce, Bonnie Bakal, and Jefferson Howe
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Come to the welcome reception on Friday night, dressed as your favorite Star
Wars character, and vote for the most creative costume.
Visit vendors and check out their newest products
Meet new friends at breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning
Check out the surprises in your ―Goodie bag‖
Relax during lunch on Saturday
Door prizes galore
Make new friends and exchange ideas – we’re all in training
Opportunities to mentor other MT’s
Pamper yourself by attending a spa on Saturday night
Registration and hotel reservation information will be coming soon.
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Keystone Kopy – Pennsylvania Association for Medical Transcription Vol. 1, Issue 3 (Oct. 2005)
In the News...
New Genetic Bone Disorder Discovered
A new joint disorder has been discovered recently. The hereditary disorder causes cartilage to
peel away from bone. Researchers have been unable to find a specific genetic cause for the
condition.
Source: http://articles.health.msn.com/id/100110648/ (9/30/05 HealthDay News)
ADHD Drug Strattera Gets Warning
The US FDA warns that Strattera, a drug used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), could bring about suicidal thoughts in children. An alert will be posted on the
medication’s label. Analysis of a dozen clinical trials of Strattera has prompted the warning.
Source: http://articles.health.msn.com/id/100110627/ (9/29/05 HealthDay News)
Slower Musical Rhythms Bring Health Benefits
Slow music can cause a relaxing effect, according to new research. Pauses in musical sounds
can adapt a person’s heart rhythms and circulation patterns, especially for those who have
musical training.
Source: http://articles.health.msn.com/id/100110636/ (9/29/05 HealthDay News)
Soundalikes
Taken from The AAMT Book of Style, 2nd edition, p. 494, 499
Celiotomy – surgical incision into the abdominal cavity
Ciliotomy – surgical division of the ciliary nerves
Filamentous – composed of long threadlike fibers
Velamentous – in the form of a sheet or veil
Keystone Kopy Advertising Information
The Keystone Kopy, the official newsletter of the Pennsylvania Association for Medical
Transcription, is published quarterly. To contribute an article to the newsletter or to advertise in
the Keystone Kopy please contact newsletter editor Grace LaConte (laconteproof@hotmail.com).
All articles are subject to the approval of the newsletter editor and PAMT president.
Please note this important information:
Deadline Publication Date
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