Outside Transcription Services: A Cost-Effective Alternate to In-House Word Processing
Article Abstract:
St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri, reassessed its transcription service cost against purchasing an in- house system and found the personnel costs alone were more than they paid the previous year for the service. Considerations in selecting an outside transcription service should include evaluation of vendor financial stability, vendor flexibility in handling unexpected volume, billing criteria, commitment to a delivery schedule, confidentiality, available equipment and quality control. Facsimile equipment can be used to transmit back reports that have been identified as urgent. Advantages of contracting with a transcription service are savings in personnel, relief from equipment problems, more space, a better product and a faster turnaround time. This will enable the medical treatment team to treat the patient more quickly and as a result possibly eliminate unnecessary hospital days.
Publication Name: Topics in Health Records Management
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 1065-0989
Year: 1983
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Implementing Productivity Improvements
Article Abstract:
Increased pressure to improve productivity in the hospital setting has come about because of the high rate of health care cost increases, increased pressure to hold down costs and the fact that a significant portion of costs is attributable to labor. Productivity, defined as the number of items produced per staff hour, can be improved by reallocating the workload, reallocating the staff or adding work. Any method of improving productivity may cause some adverse employee reactions such as an increase in the number of formal complaints, an increase in absences and reduced cooperation. Management commitment and employee discipline are ways to handle staff resistance. Employees are less likely to resist if they have been involved in the implementation efforts of productivity improvement.
Publication Name: Topics in Health Records Management
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 1065-0989
Year: 1983
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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