August 28, 2014

Question about WCO's NEW Medical Transcription Class?

Here's a recent question we received from a potential student: I have read a little bit about scribing but do not fully understand how it is implemented on the job or how it fits in with medical transcription, please explain.  Is one person responsible for both?

Answer from Ms. Balderrama-Martinez, MT instructor:
I am sure there is a lot of misinformation out there, so I will try to clarify. When performing medical transcription, the transcriptionist is typically sitting at a computer either in a clinic or hospital setting and there is no patient interaction.  You are transcribing medical reports and they vary based on specialty.  Radiology reports like x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound reports - these are typically transcribed on-site as the reports are needed immediately, or at least within 24 hours.  The same for a hospital setting, a history and physical report or an operative report is needed ASAP.  When you are working as a "medical scribe" you are performing the same duties as a medical transcriptionist; however, you are in the Emergency Room, or in the patient room with the physician or medical provider (nurse practitioner or physician assistant).

I have worked in orthopedic surgery clinics training scribes and working with the orthopedic surgeons to help fine tune a medical scribe program as the surgeons strived to provide one on one care to their patients, and still maintain their patient medical records utilizing EMR (electronic medical record) software.  When the physician or medical provider is documenting the patient information themselves they are interacting with the laptop, not the patient.  I can assure you, the patients were not happy with that arrangement.  By utilizing medical scribes, the physician is able to dictate to the scribe as he is performing the physical exam on the patient, he is able to dictate his review of the x-ray findings as he is viewing them, etc.  When done well, utilizing a medical scribe is the definition of economy in motion.  The physician/provider is able to maintain excellent electronic medical records, the patient receives better than adequate medical care as their record is created in their presence, and though there are times when the progress note has to be amended to add additional information following the office visit, it is a great asset to have a trained medical scribe on staff.
 
I have had many physicians approach me and ask me how to institute this type of program in their office so they don't have to spend nights and weekends getting caught up on their dictation.  Emergency Rooms across the country have been using scribes for some time now.  I believe as the requirements for Meaningful Use and electronic medical records become stricter, there will be more and more medical scribes along with medical transcriptionists working in clinics and hospitals.

To answer your question, yes one person can do both.  There are letters which are typically sent from one physician to another with patient information shared, and so there are times when a scribe is transcribing from dictation as well.  This is completely dependent upon when and where you are working.

For More about this new class at WeCareOnline.
Register Now!
Email Ms. Balderrama-Martinez

August 26, 2014

Tips for being involved in Pain Awareness Month

The month of September has been declared Pain Awareness Month.  Pain Awareness Month is a time when various organizations work to raise public awareness of issues in the area of pain and pain management.

The first Pain Awareness Month was in 2001, when the ACPA led a coalition of groups to establish September as Pain Awareness Month.  ACPA established Partners for Understanding Pain and 80 organizations, both health care professionals and consumer groups, including the NAACP supported the effort. Click here to read more about the history of Pain Awareness Month 


The key to raising awareness is to get involved.   There are many things that you can do to help promote Pain Awareness Month.
  • Talk with Friends & Family:  Let them know that September is Pain Awareness Month.  “Like” the ACPA on Facebook.  Encourage your friends to do the same
  •  Talk with your Healthcare Provider: Let them know that September is Pain Awareness Month.
For More.

Learn what it takes to become a Restorative Aide.



August 21, 2014

Health Unit Coordinator Day Coming Up

Aug 23rd is Health Unit Coordinators Day

Prior to World War II, hospitals were staffed by physicians, nurses, specialists such as laboratory technicians, and a few support personnel such as cooks and janitors. World War II brought about massive changes in the staffing of health facilities. These changes were first felt in England in the late 1930s as the immense number of casualties put an intolerable strain on physicians and nurses. First, the nurses took over some of the physicians' "duties," such as taking blood pressures and starting intravenous therapy. This meant that the nurse needed someone to take over some of her duties. (The vast majority of nurses at that time were women.)

It had always been noted by nurses that "desk" duties such as answering the telephone or going on errands frequently interrupted the giving of nursing care. So an individual was added to the staff to do these duties. This person was designated a "floor clerk." As the war went on, more and more responsibilities, such as copying diet lists and condition reports, were assigned to the "floor clerk" position description.


For more and original article.

What does it take to become a Health Unit Coordinator?


August 19, 2014

Simple Steps to Start Saving Money




  • Save your loose change. Putting aside fifty cents a day over the course of a year will allow you to save nearly 40% of a $500 emergency fund.
  • Keep track of your spending. At least once a month, use credit card, checking, and other records to review what you've purchased. Then, ask yourself if it makes sense to reallocate some of this spending to an emergency savings account.
  • Never purchase expensive items on impulse. Think over each expensive purchase for at least 24 hours. Acting on this principle will mean you have far fewer regrets about impulse purchases, and far more money for emergency savings.
  • Use debit and credit cards prudently. To minimize interest charges, try to limit credit card purchases to those you can pay off in full at the end of the month. If you use a debit card, don't rely on an overdraft feature to spend money you don't have. With either approach, you'll have more money available for emergency savings.
  • - See more at: http://americasaves.org/for-savers/make-a-plan-how-to-save-money/54-ways-to-save-money#sthash.gArg5FF2.dpuf
    Save your loose change. Putting aside fifty cents a day over the course of a year will allow you to save nearly 40% of a $500 emergency fund.

    Keep track of your spending. At least once a month, use credit card, checking, and other records to review what you've purchased. Then, ask yourself if it makes sense to reallocate some of this spending to an emergency savings account.

    Never purchase expensive items on impulse. Think over each expensive purchase for at least 24 hours. Acting on this principle will mean you have far fewer regrets about impulse purchases, and far more money for emergency savings.

    Use debit and credit cards prudently. To minimize interest charges, try to limit credit card purchases to those you can pay off in full at the end of the month. If you use a debit card, don't rely on an overdraft feature to spend money you don't have. With either approach, you'll have more money available for emergency savings.

    For More Ideas and Original Article.

    Learn what it takes to start your career as a  Home Health Aide.

    August 14, 2014

    Medical Transcriptionists: Flexible Schedules in the Healthcare Environment

    Medical transcriptionists held about 84,100 jobs in 2012. The industries that employed the most medical transcriptionists in 2012 were as follows:

    Hospitals; state, local, and private34%
    Offices of physicians24
    Administrative and support services21

    Most medical transcriptionists work for hospitals or in physicians' offices. Some work for companies that provide transcription services to healthcare establishments, and others are self-employed.
    Many transcriptionists work from home offices, receiving dictation and submitting drafts electronically.

    Work Schedules

    Most medical transcriptionists work full time, although about one-third worked part time in 2012. Medical transcriptionists who work from home may work outside typical business hours or have some flexibility in determining their schedules.

    For More.

    Learn more about Medical Transcriptionist classes.

    August 12, 2014

    Tips to Get Ready for the New School Year

    Move over, summer--a new school year is coming!
    With the start of school, families face new organization challenges. 

    School bells ring--and so do early-morning alarm clocks.
    Paper piles swell as hand-outs and homework stream into the house.

    Shorter autumn days bring a hectic round of sports, activities and events, and calendars fill with cryptic notes. Can the holidays be far behind?

    Get organized now for the best school year ever! Use these ideas to prepare your home and family for the busy days ahead.

    Ease the family into a school year schedule.

    The first day of school is no time for a drastic adjustment of household sleep schedules. Instead, ease children back into a school year routine gradually. During the last two weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they'll need to rise when school begins.

    For More and Original Article.

    Learn about a new career in Healthcare at: http://wecareonlineclasses.com/

    August 7, 2014

    Beat the Heat with These Cool Desserts

    Too hot to turn on the oven? Would you rather slurp something cold for dessert than bake cookies? Yeah, me too.

    Here's a look back at 25 desserts and sweet treats that don't need an oven — some don't have to be cooked at all! From a frozen nectarine pie to a matcha milkshake, and icebox banana cheesecake to peaches and cream gelatin dessert, there's something sweet here to cool you off.

    No-Bake Baked Goods
    1 No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
    2 Icebox Banana Cheesecake
    For More Recipes and Original Blog.

    Like to learn more about becoming a Restorative Aide? Click HERE.

    August 6, 2014

    What is Rehabilitation?

    The following is a snippet from our Restorative Aide course - Completely online and no textbook is required!

    What is Rehabilitation?

    Rehabilitation is a program that helps a person who is recovering from illness or injury to regain as much function as possible. The aim is for Residents or clients to become as independent as possible despite his/her disabilities. Rehabilitation also aims to teach strategies for ongoing disabilities.

    Common conditions that may require rehabilitation: 

    • Joint replacements and fractures 
    • Acquired brain injury including: Stroke (please click on the link below to see what rehab can do for a stroke victim. This is a fairly new technique offered in some areas.Of course results will vary, but rehab is very important to our residents. Click here for video on stroke
    • Head Injury 
    • Spinal cord dysfunction
    • Amputations 
    • Cardiac conditions

    You can be a vital part in helping your resident gain their independence!

    The Rehabilitation Unit and How it Functions

    A rehabilitation unit can be in:

    • Hospital where many patients need rehabilitation after an illness or possibly a surgery. 
    • Outpatient clinic has patients who come in from home to rehabilitate. They made need to come for a few visits or long-term. 
    • Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) can be in a hospital area or community nursing home 
    • Nursing homes most always have a rehabilitation program. 
    • Rehabilitation hospitals used primarily for rehabilitation. 

    Team members of a Rehabilitation Unit

    Physician - Will assess and identify the issues to assist with planning the rehabilitation. They will write specific orders to follow for the rehabilitation.

    Nurse - Provides the health monitoring and education as required and will talk with your physician where appropriate.

    Speech-language pathologist - Concerned with any problems relating to understanding language and speaking, as well as reading and writing, memory and thinking and social skills. They also assess and manage problems with eating and drinking.

    Occupational Therapist - Aims to help you to become as independent as possible in all daily occupations including eating, showering and dressing, cooking, shopping, driving, leisure activities, work and hand and upper limb function.

    Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant- Follows the treatment plan as determined and supervised by the occupational Therapist.

    Restorative aide - Usually a nurse aide that has received additional training in rehabilitation. Supervised by a registered nurse or PT or OT. 

    Nurse Aide - Covers all resident or clients ADL?s.

    Podiatrist - Manages any problems to do with your feet. This may include making orthotics and nail care.

    Social Worker - Offers residents and their families support during a time of change as well as other services. 

    Dietitian - Addresses any nutritional needs of the client including the management of diabetes, cholesterol, and weight loss or weight gain. The dietitian plays an important role in the education about these issues.

    Types of Rehabilitation

    Skilled Therapy - Services is provided by the Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist, certified Occupation assistant, and Speech Therapist. Requires a physician order 

    • Client must show consistent improvement 
    • Time frame based on client?s progress or lack of progress 
    • The Goal is for the client to return to their optimal mobility status. 
    • Documentation includes the initial assessment, notes, progress notes and discharge summary according to your facility policy and/or State regulations

    Restorative Nursing - Services can be done by a Restorative Aide under the written program from the nurse or therapist. Requires a physician order 

    • Client should show consistent improvement 
    • Time frame is based on the client progress 
    • Goals are set by the nurse or therapist 
    • Documentation include daily and weekly progress notes, according to your facility policy and/or State regulations. 

    Functional Maintenance - These services can be done by a certified nurse aide. May or may not have a physician order 

    • Does not need to show a consistent improvement 
    • Your goal is to maintain the clients optimal level of functioning. 
    • Most documentation will be done on a flow sheet. 

    To enroll in the Restorative Aide course (It's completely online!) just click here: Restorative Aide Course






    August 5, 2014

    How to Change Your Password in Blackboard

    Ok, so you're signed up for your class. You have the email from your instructor telling you how to sign in to your course.  Blackboard recommends that you change your password periodically to ensure security. Do not use common personal information as your password, such as your name.  

    Here's a helpful video showing how to change your password.  




    1. From the global navigation menu, click Settings and select Personal Information. You can also accessPersonal Information on the Tools panel.
    2. On the Personal Information page, select Change Password.
    3. On the Change Password page, type a new password for the account. The password must be at least one character and contain no spaces. Passwords can contain a maximum of 32 characters.
    4. Type the password again to ensure accuracy.
    5. Click Submit.

    How to Develop Your Child's Self-Esteem

    Healthy self-esteem is like a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who know their strengths and weaknesses and feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.

    In contrast, kids with low self-esteem can find challenges to be sources of major anxiety and frustration. Those who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solutions to problems. If given to self-critical thoughts such as "I'm no good" or "I can't do anything right," they may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed. Faced with a new challenge, their immediate response might be "I can't."

    For More and original blog.

    Learn How to Become a Mental Health Aide: Click HERE.

    August 1, 2014

    We Care Online Staff Highlight - Irene Balderrama-Martinez

    This month we get to meet Irene.  

    Irene Balderrama-Martinez has worked in the healthcare industry for 30 years. She is a die-hard University of Arizona fan and alumni, along with many family members, who have embraced the health sciences in various careers.  She has worked for Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital and Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital, as well as University Medical Center and the College of Medicine in various departments including Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Orthopaedic Surgery and more recently as an administrator in Family Practice and Urgent Care Clinic.

    Irene is instructor for our new program, Medical Transcription - Scribe course.  After many years of training Medical Transcriptionists/Scribes in outpatient clinical settings, as well as in the acute care setting, Irene looks forward to teaching We Care Online students with the goal of healthcare documentation integrity as we strive to support healthcare providers in the evolving use of EMR software and the Federal Meaningful Use guidelines.  

    When not reading avidly, she enjoys free time with her family. For questions about the courses she teaches email: irene@wecareonlineclasses.com