Transcription Definitions

Definitions of Terms Used with Transcription

Automated Speech Recognition (ASR):

Also known as Speech Recognition technology (SRT), Continuous Speech Recognition (CSR) or Voice Recognition (VR), refers to enterprise or desktop software that converts spoken the word to visual characters. The technology can lead to cheaper transcription costs but conversely requires more of the dictators’ time to edit transcriptions.

Back-End Editing:

Back-End Editing includes any software or enterprise application that requires users to dictate into a PC microphone or mobile phone application and then converts spoken words into visual characters. With this technology, the dictator has the option to send the reports to a transcriptionist for editing. Using Back-End editing allows physicians to combine the decreased turnaround times of voice recognition with the accuracy of traditional transcription.

Continuous Speech Recognition (CSR):

Also known as Automated Speech Recognition (ASR), Speech Recognition technology (SRT) or voice Recognition (VR), refers to enterprise or desktop software that converts spoken word to visual characters. The technology can lead to cheaper transcription costs but conversely requires more of the dictators’ time to edit transcriptions.

Front-End Editing:

Front-end Editing includes any software or enterprise application that requires users to dictate into a PC microphone or mobile phone application and then converts spoken words into visual characters in real time. Since the physician is self-editing reports, it then reduces the need for a traditional transcriptionist. The positive for this technology is the reduction in turnaround times but conversely increases the number of errors in a report. In order for this option to be cost effective and time efficient, it requires a lot of time and dedication from the dictator to train the voice engine.

Gross Medical Transcription Character:

In counting medical transcription lines, any letter, number, symbol or function key necessary for the final appearance and content of a medical transcription document, including the space bar, carriage return, underscore, bold and any character contained within a macro, header or footer.

Gross Medical Transcription Line:

Any printed line that has one or more characters. Note: No distinction is made here between full and partial lines. (To convert Gross Lines to Net Lines multiply Gross Lines by .70).

Medical Transcription Keystroke:

Each stroke of a key is counted: The space bar, carriage return, underscore, bold, etc. constitutes a medical transcription keystroke. Note: Macros become an issue here – technically, if a macro requires three keystrokes, then for billing purposes, three keystrokes would be billed.

Net Medical Transcription Character:

Printed characters only. Note: To convert to Gross Characters multiply Net Characters by 1.2

Net Medical Transcription Line:

A defined line length that includes a predetermined number of gross characters (55, 60, 65, 70, 75, etc.). Note: Net lines are generally determined by dividing the total gross characters in a report by the defined line length.

Net Medical Transcription Word:

A net word is defined as five (5) alpha/numeric characters plus one (1) space for a total of six (6) characters.

Recorded Minute:

One recorded minute of medical transcription dictation is equal to an average of 777 gross characters for Medical Records dictation (including ER) and an average of 782 gross characters for Physician Practices dictation.

Speech Recognition technology (SRT):

Also known as Automated Speech Recognition (ASR), Continuous Speech Recognition (CSR) or voice Recognition (VR), refers to enterprise or desktop software that converts spoken word to visual characters. The technology can lead to cheaper transcription costs but conversely requires more of the dictators’ time to edit transcriptions.

Standard Line Count:

Standard Line Counts can vary from system to system and are calculated when the transcriptionist delivers the typed report to the server. Generally, Standard characters are all visible characters and invisible characters that are used to produce the final output. The count comes from what is entered by the MT into the system or from information selected by the MT inside the system.

Transcription:

The method of dictating reports on a landline or handheld device and then delivering the audio files or cassette tapes for transcription. This method is completely manual and requires human oversight at each step. The transcriptionist must actively listen to the dictation audio while transcribing the report.