How does Medical Transcription (MT) work?

How does Medical Transcription Work?

Medical transcription (MT) is the process of converting voice reports recorded by physicians and other healthcare professionals into written text. Typically, a hospital’s MT team receives audio files that contain dictation of various medical documents from healthcare providers. These audio files are then transcribed into text format.

What is Medical Transcription (MT)?

Medical transcription (MT) refers to the manual process of converting voice reports dictated by medical professionals into written text. The MT team at a hospital usually handles audio files provided by healthcare providers, transforming them into text documents. This transcription is usually done digitally and then integrated into the hospital’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.

Today, the medical field increasingly relies on Advanced Speech Recognition Software and Medical Transcription Software (MTS) for transcription tasks.

Digital Medical Transcription:

Healthcare providers have demanding schedules, often filled with patient appointments that can run longer than planned, followed by extensive data entry into EHRs. Emergencies can further complicate their workload, leading to a complete reshuffling of their day’s agenda.

Digital medical transcription streamlines this process, allowing healthcare professionals to cut down on tedious data entry and focus more on patient care. This approach is gaining popularity worldwide, with the global medical transcription market valued at approximately $5 billion and projected to reach nearly $7 billion by 2024.

Understanding the Electronic Medical Transcription Process:

In the medical transcription process, a transcriptionist listens to audio recordings made by healthcare professionals and transcribes them into written documents, all while ensuring accuracy. This is a crucial aspect of the healthcare sector, as it frees up valuable time for physicians to concentrate on patient care.

A variety of medical reports require transcription, including physical examination records, patient discharge summaries, emergency room documents, x-ray reports, operative notes, and chart entries. Let’s delve into the steps involved in the transcription process.

1. Professional Medical Dictation:

The process of medical transcription starts when a healthcare provider records patient information using a digital recording device, such as a phone or handheld recorder. It is essential that these medical professionals utilize high-quality recording equipment to ensure the clarity of the recordings and the accuracy of the transcribed texts.

2. Sending Voice Files:

Once the audio files are complete, they can be safely uploaded to a secure server, allowing medical transcriptionists to access and begin their work on them.

3. Converting Voice Files to Text:

In this phase, transcriptionists play the audio files back, often using foot pedals, to type exactly what they hear while setting aside editing tasks for later. If any recordings are unclear or incomplete, the professional who made the recording is contacted for clarification.

4. Editing the Transcription Files:

After transcription, the files undergo thorough proofreading and editing. Any mistakes or inconsistencies are corrected. We take pride in maintaining a 98.5% accuracy rate at Fast Chart, ensuring that providers receive precise, structured, and easily shareable medical documents.

5. Delivering the Final Documents:

The final step involves submitting the edited documents back to the medical facility, using various methods such as fax, modem, email, or secure internet transfer. Timeliness is essential in ensuring these documents reach the facility without delay.

Why is Medical Transcription Important?

Here are some essential points that highlight the importance of medical transcriptionists:

• Medical transcription plays a crucial role in documenting a patient’s medical history, which serves as a reference for future visits and helps physicians evaluate current conditions, develop treatment plans, and execute timely follow-ups. Accuracy is vital, as even minor errors can lead to significant issues.
• The transcribed records assist nurses and other support staff in understanding patient care protocols, including warning signs to monitor, necessary lab tests, and accurate medication dosages.
• Billing and coding departments utilize transcribed documentation to process insurance claims accurately. This underscores the need for skilled transcriptionists to maintain high standards in medical record accuracy.
• Moreover, legal regulations mandate the retention of medical records. In the event of a legal dispute, these documents become invaluable.

How Does the Medical Transcription Process Work?

Medical transcriptionists, often known as healthcare documentation specialists, employ electronic tools to transform voice recordings made by physicians and healthcare workers into structured reports. They may also edit medical records for accuracy before submitting them for review and approval.