Ideas for improving productivity
HIM Connection, April 12, 2001
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Transcription survey respondents share ideas for improving productivity
Last month, we asked readers of HIM Connection, our free weekly, e-mail newsletter, to tell us how they track transcription productivity. Respondents were directed to this Web site to participate in the survey.
As part of the survey, we encouraged participants to share their suggestions for improving transcription productivity. The compiled their responses into the seven suggestions below.
If you have an "out of the box" idea to share with HIM Connection, we'd love to hear it. E-mail site manager Brian Driscoll at bdriscoll@hcpro.com.
1. Try a "flex-time" incentive for those who meet criteria.
2. Pay incentives for productivity.
"We pay at-home transcriptionists by the line, since we cannot monitor their work. We pay inhouse staff an hourly rate plus a per line incentive after reaching the production minimum."
3. Adjust the scheduling to each individual's peak performance time.
"The reports will be done more quickly and be more accurate. A few of my employees' schedules were changed from first shift to afternoon/second shift, and they had a big jump in their productivity. Not all people are "morning" people."
4. Make sure transcriptionists are not performing clerical duties.
"Hire a clerk so that the transcriptionists do nothing but transcribe."
"Protect the transcriptionists from the telephone and other interruptions."
5. Cross-train staff.
"It is a big help in getting the work done. I have 1.4 FTE's but 3 other people who work in medical records with other job assignments are cross-trained in transcription. If it is a particularly busy day, there are always people who can pitch in and help. We have placed transcription as top priority in the department so if that gets behind everyone pitches in to get it done in the shift's alloted time. We are a small hospital with long-time staff. Most of us have come up the ranks and moved from one position to another. We work as a team and we know the priorities for department and all work together to get that accomplished for good patient care.
6. Provide feedback on performance often.
7. Develop one-on-one contact with staff physicians to help them improve the quality of their dictation.
"Show them how slowing down their dictation speed actually speeds up the transcription process since their words can more easily be understood. Since our physician employees make up the bulk of our transcription load, their modifications have the most impact on productivity."
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