 |
Featured MT
Personal Questions:
1. What account do you currently work on? Kaiser Zion
2. Have you had an account you despise/love? Explain: I love my
current account because I have tons of macros. Previously I
worked on Medical City Dallas, and really struggled with the
Hispanic doctors. We don't have much Spanish here in Ontario,
Canada.
3. What is your favorite Specialty to type (your strengths)? Share
weaknesses too, if you wish. I love typing neurology, rheumatology,
heme/oncology, pediatrics, psych. My weaknesses would have to
be orthopedics, and emergency room medicine.
4. What do you LOVE about Spheris? I love working at home. I like
my supervisor an awful lot. She is amazing, and so helpful. I love the
benefits package we have.
5. What would you like to see CHANGE in Spheris? I would like it to
be easier to accummulate PTO. I find it really hard to get PTO built
up. I would also like them to give us sick days so that we could get
sick and not have to use up our PTO.
6. How did you become an MT? Please elaborate on your MT
History. I had gone to college right out of high school and took a
Legal Assistant course, but was not able to find employment in that
field, so for about five years, I worked in retail. I finally decided that it
was time to go back to school, and enrolled in a Medical Office
Administration program. It was a six month program, and while I
really liked the course, I absolutely LOVED doing medical
transcription. I was the only one in the class who enjoyed doing it.
After graduation, I had some trouble finding a job, but eventually
found an entry level position at a clinic here in Ottawa, doing medical
transcription for $8.00/hr (which was lots of money for me back
then). After only three months, I was made the "manager" of the
department. I stayed there for 4 years, before leaving (due to a
change in pay structure) and taking on a position in an insurance
company, which really was not for me. In Dec, 2002, I saw an ad for
what was then EDiX, and applied, and started January 20, 2003. The
rest as they say, is history.
7. Give me some personal information about yourself, for example,
hobbies, children, grandchildren, family, social life, where you live,
etc. Hmmm...personal information!!! My hobbies include reading,
scrap booking, cooking, walking, and spending time with my family
and friends. No children. I have a great relationship with my parents,
who live about ten minutes away, and I have one older sister. In
August of 2004, my marriage (of almost two years) ended, which
was quite a shock and surprise to me (we had been together a total
of ten years). I had to move out of the house and move into an
apartment, and it has been a rough 8 months, but I am getting
through it thanks to my friends and family, and a new "friend" that I
have started dating.
8. What are your personal MT Goals? I try to do 180-200 lines per
hour. I would love to be able to do 1500-1800 lines a day, but so far
this has not happened. I believe I will soon though.
9. Share some Tips - anything you wish to share with the group, like
macro tips, Grammar tips, work-station tips, etc. I take a 5 minute
break every hour, just to stretch my legs. I listen to my music, very
softly in the background, while I work. I swear by Stedman's
Equipment words for my OP notes, HPI Orthopedic/neurology words
and phrases, and HPI Laboratory/Pathology words and phrases
books.
10. Share something about yourself no one else would know, a
secret!! :) I worked for two summers as a volunteer at a Chronic
Care facility when I was a teenager, and absolutely loved it. I logged
over 200 hours each summer, and really considered a career as a
nurse because of this, but due to a general dislike of bodily fluids, I
chose a different career path. Another secret, I love to watch
repeats of Little House on the Prairie.
Questions about Melissa's account - Zion Clinic
1. Do you feel you can obtain your minimum line count easily?Yes
2. Is there a high number of ESL's (doctors with English as a Second
Language/foreign doctors? Not really too many, the ones we have, I
am used to by now.
3. Do you have a good help loop which you participate in and which
you find to be helpful? I don't participate much in the help loop
because there are lots of ER questions and since I don't do ER work,
I am not much help, but I do share surgical report samples back and
forth with another Kaiser MT.
4. When learning this account, would you say the training period
was easy, average, or difficult? Easy.
5. Did you believe the amount of time it took to feel comfortable with
this account was short, medium, or long? Short
6. Do you have OT opportunities?Currently, like everyone, there is
tons of OT opportunity. It slows down a bit during the holidays
though, and sometimes in the summer.
7. Do you run out of work often? Usually during Christmas and
Thanksgiving, things got a bit slow.
8. Are the sound files of good quality?Excellent quality
9. Are the account specs easy or difficult to learn?Easy
10. What do you like best about the account?The variety of
work...lots of OP notes, consults, EEG's. Never know what you are
going to get and therefore you never get bored.
11. What is most challenging about this account?Listening to the
doctors who eat their breakfast/lunch/dinner while they are
dictating, typing for surgeons who dictate in the PACU, while the
nurses are in the background trying to wake up the patients from
anesthesia.
12. If you could improve one thing on this account, what would it
be?Honestly, there is nothing I would improve, except for outlawing
doctors being able to eat as they dictate (see #11).
13. What skills do you feel would be of importance to do well on this
account? Good knowledge of all medical specialities, lots of
operative notes, not a lot of ESL, but some, mostly Asian and East
Indian, so some knowledge of these accents is helpful.
14. If you had a choice to do it over again, would you still apply for
this account? Absolutely.
 |
| News THANK all of you for your prayers! Hubby is home and doing better after his bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy. ~Rebekah Rankin Celebrate March! March 2, Dr. Suess' Birthday St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005 Happy Spring and Palm Sunday, March 20, 2005 Good Friday, March 25, 2005 Hoppy Easter, March 27, 2005 Easter Monday, March 28, 2005 National Nutrition Month National Women's History Month Save Your Vision Week (1st week in March) National Poison Prevention Week (3rd week in March) Girl Scout Week (March 10-16 |
Cancer staging systems describe how far cancer has spread
anatomically and attempt to put patients with similar prognosis
and treatment in the same staging group.
The concept of stage is applicable to almost all cancers except for
most forms of leukemia. Since leukemias involve all of the blood,
they are not anatomically localized like other cancers, so the
concept of staging doesn't make as much sense for them. For
most solid tumors, there are two related cancer staging systems,
the Overall Stage Grouping, and the TNM system.
Roman Numeral Staging
In this system, cases are grouped into four stages denoted by
Roman numerals I through IV, or are classified as "recurrent." In
general, stage I cancers are small localized cancers that are
usually curable, while stage IV usually represents inoperable or
metastatic cancer. Stage II and III cancers are usually locally
advanced and/or with involvement of local lymph nodes. Actually,
these stages are defined precisely, but the definition is different for
each kind of cancer. In addition, it is important to realize that the
prognosis for a given stage also depends on what kind of cancer it
is, so that a stage II non small cell lung cancer has a different
prognosis from a stage II cervical cancer.
Unfortunately, it is common for cancer to return months or years
after the primary tumor has been removed because cancer cells
had already broken away and lodged in distant locations by the
time the primary tumor was discovered, but had not formed
tumors which were large enough to detect at that time. Sometimes
a tiny bit of the primary tumor was left behind in the initial surgery
and this later grows into a macroscopic tumor. Cancer that recurs
after all visible tumor has been eradicated, is called recurrent
disease. Disease that recurs in the area of the primary tumor is
locally recurrent, and disease that recurs as metastases is
referred to as a distant recurrence. Distant recurrence is usually
treated similarly to stage IV disease (sometimes the terms are
used interchangeably) and anyone in this situation should
investigate options for both stage IV and recurrent disease. The
significance of a Local recurrence may be quite different than
distant recurrence, depending on the type of cancer.
For solid tumors, stages I-IV are actually defined in terms of a more
detailed staging system called the "TNM" system.
TNM Staging
In the TNM system, TNM stands for Tumor, Nodes, and Metastases.
Each of these is categorized separately and classified with a
number to give the total stage. Thus a T1N1M0 cancer means the
patient has a T1 tumor, N1 lymph node involvement, and no distant
metastases. Of course the definitions of T, N and M are specific to
each cancer, but it is possible to give a general idea of what they
mean.
T: Tumor
T Classifies the extent of the primary tumor, and is normally given
as T0 through T4. T0 represents a tumor that has not even started
to invade the local tissues. This is called "In Situ". T4 on the other
hand represents a large primary tumor that has probably invaded
other organs by direct extension, and which is usually inoperable.
N: Lymph Nodes
N classifies the amount of regional lymph node involvement. It is
important to understand that only the lymph nodes draining the
area of the primary tumor are considered in this classification.
Involvement of distant lymph nodes is considered to be metastatic
disease. The definition of just which lymph nodes are regional
depends on the type of cancer. N0 means no lymph node
involvement while N4 means extensive involvement. In general
more extensive involvement means some combination of more
nodes involved, greater enlargement of the involved nodes, and
more distant (But still regional) node involvement.
M: Metastasis
M is either M0 if there are no metastases or M1 if there are
metastases.
As with the other system, the exact definitions for T and N are
different for each different kind of cancer.
As you can see, the TNM system is more precise than the I through
IV system and certainly has a lot more categories. The two
systems are actually related. The I through IV groupings are
actually defined using the TNM system. For example, stage II
non-small cell lung cancer means a T1 or T2 primary tumor with N1
lymph node involvement, and no metastases (M0).
Staging System Variations and Changes
There is no law of nature that all cancers are best classified into
just four prognostic groups. For many cancers four prognostic
groups is not enough, so the overall staging is further divided with
classifications like IIa, and IIIb. (A few cancers have fewer than
four stage groupings.) You may find it natural to assume that the
differences in prognosis between sub-groups, like IIIa and IIIb, is
smaller than between major divisions like II and III, but this is not
necessarily the case. For instance in non-small cell lung cancer,
the difference between stage IIIa and stage IIIb is very important.
People with stage IIIa cancer have a chance of being cured with
treatment which includes surgery, whereas surgery generally
does not help people with stage IIIb who have a substantially worse
prognosis. Again, you must find the specific stating and prognostic
information for your cancer to know what the staging means in
terms of prognosis.
For leukemias and other cancers which don't form solid tumors,
the staging is again different. Because there is not a localized
primary tumor with distinct metastasis to lymph nodes and other
organs, the TNM system simply doesn't apply. Often there are
defined stages I through IV but if so it will depend on various
factors such as the blood count, extent of bone marrow
involvement or the presence or absence of symptoms.
Although the trend is towards standard terminology, some types of
cancers use staging systems with different nomenclatures. For
example, prostate and colon cancer are sometimes staged as A
through D rather than I through IV. In these cases, unfortunately
there is more than one staging system in use at the same time!
Obviously you need to be aware of which staging system is being
used in a particular paper or reference, and which was used in
your case. Usually, the staging used will be referenced according
to the originator of the paper - e.g. the Duke staging system for
colon cancer. Often you can figure out what your stage was in the
"other" system with specific information about the extent of your
cancer from your pathology and operative reports.
As if this weren't enough, new information and improvements in
treatment changes the prognosis or treatment of various
subgroups, and as a result, the staging system for individual
cancers must be revised from time to time. If you are relying on
recent information, as you should be, then you will usually be
looking at research data based on the latest staging, but be alert
for the possibility that the staging just recently changed for your
cancer so that some relatively recent papers use the older system.
Common English Errors DISCREET/DISCRETE: The more common word is "discreet," meaning "prudent, circumspect": "When arranging the party for Agnes, be sure to be discreet; we want her to be surprised." "Discrete" means "separate, distinct": "He arranged the guest list into two discrete groups: meat-eaters and vegetarians." Note how the T separates the two Es in "discrete." INCIDENCE/INCIDENTS/INSTANCES These three overlap in meaning just enough to confuse a lot of people. Few of us have a need for "incidence," which most often refers to degree or extent of the occurrence of something ("the incidence of measles in Whitman County has dropped markedly since the vaccine has been provided free"). "Incidents," which is pronounced identically, is merely the plural of "incident," meaning "occurrences" ("police reported damage to three different outhouses in separate incidents last Halloween"). Instances are examples ("semicolons are not required in the first three instances given in your query"). Incidents can be used as instances only if someone is using them as examples. |
TERMS
uratosis: Any morbid condition due to
the presence of urates in the blood or
tissues.
methemalbuminemia: The presnece of
methemalbumin in the circulating blood,
indicative of hemoglobin breakdown;
found in some patients wtih blackwater
fever or paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria.
zetacrit: The packed cell volume
produced by vertical centrifugation of
blood in capillary tubes, allowing
controlled compaction and dispersion of
red blood cells.
uratosis: Any morbid condition due to
the presence of urates in the blood or
tissues.
methemalbuminemia: The presnece of
methemalbumin in the circulating blood,
indicative of hemoglobin breakdown;
found in some patients wtih blackwater
fever or paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria.
zetacrit: The packed cell volume
produced by vertical centrifugation of
blood in capillary tubes, allowing
controlled compaction and dispersion of
red blood cells.
Comfort Food
By Connie Vance
Got an urge to eat? Feel guilty? Have no
fear... super foods are here! Detoxify,
ward off cancer, get rid of those
headaches, lower that cholesterol, stop
hot flashes, and get that immune system
going! Eat! Eat! Eat to your heart's
content!
Here are some guilt-free foods that can
save your life!
Super Soy - Soy prevents against cancer,
reduces cholesterol, and stops those hot
flashes!
Flavonoids to the rescue! These
antioxidants protects against viruses,
inflammation, allergies, carcinogens,
decrease blood pressure and leg cramps.
Get your flavonoids in citrus fruit,
tomatoes, berries, peppers, carrots,
onions, grapes, tea, coffee, or wine.
Jumping Ginger! Morning sickness,
nausea, and vomiting during pregnancy?
Get your ginger root extract! Got motion
sickness? Ginger capsules can ward off
that queasy feeling. Also great for
rheumatoid arthritis and migraine
headaches!
Garlic and onions? You bet! Fight
infections and lower blood pressure and
cholesterol.
A cup of green tea definitely keeps
cancer away.
Beans, beans, are really good for your
heart!
Blueberries slow vision loss, treat night
blindness and cataracts, not to mention
protect you from those dreaded urinary
tract problems.
A glass of wine a day is definitely for the
faint of heart! Red wine lowers blood
pressure, reduces cholesterol, prevents
heart attacks and cancer! Red wine can
also preserve your vision.
Got a cold? You got it....chicken soup! It
breaks up congestion and stops a runny
nose. Add hot and spicy incredients like
cayenne pepper, fresh garlic, and onions
and you will chase away that cold in an
instant!
Constipation is stopped dead in its tracks
with a cup of coffee in the morning on an
empty stomach.
Detoxify your liver with cabbage, broccoli,
cauliflower, bok choy, brussel sprouts,
green onions, and kale. No cancer would
dare look for you.
Of course, as a medical transcriptionist, I
look for brain food! Flax seed, walnuts,
green leafy vegetables, lean beef, poultry,
and seafood are good bets to keep the
mind clear. Junk food causes cognitive
decline so keep some fortified cereal on
your desk to munch on.
By Connie Vance
Got an urge to eat? Feel guilty? Have no
fear... super foods are here! Detoxify,
ward off cancer, get rid of those
headaches, lower that cholesterol, stop
hot flashes, and get that immune system
going! Eat! Eat! Eat to your heart's
content!
Here are some guilt-free foods that can
save your life!
Super Soy - Soy prevents against cancer,
reduces cholesterol, and stops those hot
flashes!
Flavonoids to the rescue! These
antioxidants protects against viruses,
inflammation, allergies, carcinogens,
decrease blood pressure and leg cramps.
Get your flavonoids in citrus fruit,
tomatoes, berries, peppers, carrots,
onions, grapes, tea, coffee, or wine.
Jumping Ginger! Morning sickness,
nausea, and vomiting during pregnancy?
Get your ginger root extract! Got motion
sickness? Ginger capsules can ward off
that queasy feeling. Also great for
rheumatoid arthritis and migraine
headaches!
Garlic and onions? You bet! Fight
infections and lower blood pressure and
cholesterol.
A cup of green tea definitely keeps
cancer away.
Beans, beans, are really good for your
heart!
Blueberries slow vision loss, treat night
blindness and cataracts, not to mention
protect you from those dreaded urinary
tract problems.
A glass of wine a day is definitely for the
faint of heart! Red wine lowers blood
pressure, reduces cholesterol, prevents
heart attacks and cancer! Red wine can
also preserve your vision.
Got a cold? You got it....chicken soup! It
breaks up congestion and stops a runny
nose. Add hot and spicy incredients like
cayenne pepper, fresh garlic, and onions
and you will chase away that cold in an
instant!
Constipation is stopped dead in its tracks
with a cup of coffee in the morning on an
empty stomach.
Detoxify your liver with cabbage, broccoli,
cauliflower, bok choy, brussel sprouts,
green onions, and kale. No cancer would
dare look for you.
Of course, as a medical transcriptionist, I
look for brain food! Flax seed, walnuts,
green leafy vegetables, lean beef, poultry,
and seafood are good bets to keep the
mind clear. Junk food causes cognitive
decline so keep some fortified cereal on
your desk to munch on.
Computer TIPs:
On your Internet Explorer Favorites
Menu, create specific folders for
different specialities. Ex: Have a
Hem/Onc folder and place all your
hem/onc related sites into this folder
on the menu bar. This "organizes" your
favorites bar and makes it much easier
to navigate!
Find a Web Page That You Visited
Today or a Few Weeks Ago
Have you ever stumbled on an
interesting Web page, wanted to return
to it, but forgotten where it was?
History list to the rescue!
Internet Explorer 6 automatically
records Web pages you've visited both
today and in the past. It organizes them
in folders on the History bar by the day
you visited. Within each day, it
organizes the Web sites alphabetically
in folders, putting each page visited on
that site in that folder. (Internet
Explorer stores every visit for the last
20 days to begin with, but you can
change this number.
Here's how to find pages in the History
list:
1. On the Internet Explorer toolbar,
click the History button.
Internet Explorer opens the History bar
on the left side of the screen
2. In the History bar, click the time
period you want to search.
For example, you may want to see all
the sites you visited today.
3. Click the Web site folder to open the
list of pages, and then click the link to
the page to display the Web page itself.
4. When you've finished using the
History bar, click the Close button.
You can delete any Web site or page
from the History list. Right-click a Web
site folder or Web page, and click
Delete.
A cautionary note: If you delete a Web
site folder, Internet Explorer deletes
the folders and all the links to all the
pages stored in that folder.
Sort Recently Visited Web Pages
In addition to sorting frequently visited
Web pages by date, you can also
organize them by Site, Most Visited,
and Order Visited Today. In the History
bar, click the tiny black arrow next to
the View button, and choose how you
want to sort the Web pages.
Search for a Specific Web Page
If you remember a distinctive word
from a Web address or from the Web
page itself, you can search in the
history for that word to look for the
Web page.
In the History bar, click the Search
button. In the Search box, type the term
or phrase you're looking for, and click
Search Now. Internet Explorer displays
a list of all Web pages that include
mention of that term in the address or
on the Web page.
Change the Number of Days that
Visited Pages Are Tracked
By default, Internet Explorer records
every Web page you visit for 20 days—
a time period you can change. Perhaps
you're doing some in-depth research
and want to store Web page links for
a longer period of time. Or perhaps you
spend a lot of time on the Web and you
want to free up a little bit of disk space
by limiting the number of days Internet
Explorer remembers your visits.
Whatever the reason, it's easy to
change the number of days.
1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools
menu, click Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, under History,
change the number of days that the
History list keeps track of your pages,
and click OK.
Changing your Home Page
It is quite common for computer
manufacturers to pre-set Internet
Explorer's home page, and for Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) to change
their customers' pre-existing home
page settings via Internet access
setup CDs or starter kits. While it can
be very convenient to take advantage
of a computer manufacturer or ISP's
preferred settings, especially when it
gives us instant access to important or
useful information, there is no reason
why we should not change Internet
Explorer's home page to our favorite
Internet site, or even set Internet
Explorer to open to a blank screen
when first started.
Tip: Before changing anything, you
may wish to add your current home
page to your favorites.
Our home page settings (and virtually
all other Internet Explorer settings) are
controlled via "Internet Options" on the
Tools menu.
To change your home page, simply
navigate to the Web page that you wish
to use as your home page and then
click the Use Current button.
The Use Blank button will set your
home page to about:blank. The
advantage of about:blank is
that Internet Explorer will open quickly,
and will not try to connect to the
internet, even if your current
connection setting is "always dial my
default connection."
The Use Default button will set the
Internet Explorer home page to a pre-
defined, language sensitive, URL as
chosen by Microsoft. Language
sensitive means that if, for example,
the language of first preference as
listed at "Language Preferences"
(accessible via Tools, Internet Options,
General Tab, Languages Button) is
"English (United States) [en-usa]" is at
the top of the list, the default home
page will be www.msn.com.
On your Internet Explorer Favorites
Menu, create specific folders for
different specialities. Ex: Have a
Hem/Onc folder and place all your
hem/onc related sites into this folder
on the menu bar. This "organizes" your
favorites bar and makes it much easier
to navigate!
Find a Web Page That You Visited
Today or a Few Weeks Ago
Have you ever stumbled on an
interesting Web page, wanted to return
to it, but forgotten where it was?
History list to the rescue!
Internet Explorer 6 automatically
records Web pages you've visited both
today and in the past. It organizes them
in folders on the History bar by the day
you visited. Within each day, it
organizes the Web sites alphabetically
in folders, putting each page visited on
that site in that folder. (Internet
Explorer stores every visit for the last
20 days to begin with, but you can
change this number.
Here's how to find pages in the History
list:
1. On the Internet Explorer toolbar,
click the History button.
Internet Explorer opens the History bar
on the left side of the screen
2. In the History bar, click the time
period you want to search.
For example, you may want to see all
the sites you visited today.
3. Click the Web site folder to open the
list of pages, and then click the link to
the page to display the Web page itself.
4. When you've finished using the
History bar, click the Close button.
You can delete any Web site or page
from the History list. Right-click a Web
site folder or Web page, and click
Delete.
A cautionary note: If you delete a Web
site folder, Internet Explorer deletes
the folders and all the links to all the
pages stored in that folder.
Sort Recently Visited Web Pages
In addition to sorting frequently visited
Web pages by date, you can also
organize them by Site, Most Visited,
and Order Visited Today. In the History
bar, click the tiny black arrow next to
the View button, and choose how you
want to sort the Web pages.
Search for a Specific Web Page
If you remember a distinctive word
from a Web address or from the Web
page itself, you can search in the
history for that word to look for the
Web page.
In the History bar, click the Search
button. In the Search box, type the term
or phrase you're looking for, and click
Search Now. Internet Explorer displays
a list of all Web pages that include
mention of that term in the address or
on the Web page.
Change the Number of Days that
Visited Pages Are Tracked
By default, Internet Explorer records
every Web page you visit for 20 days—
a time period you can change. Perhaps
you're doing some in-depth research
and want to store Web page links for
a longer period of time. Or perhaps you
spend a lot of time on the Web and you
want to free up a little bit of disk space
by limiting the number of days Internet
Explorer remembers your visits.
Whatever the reason, it's easy to
change the number of days.
1. In Internet Explorer, on the Tools
menu, click Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, under History,
change the number of days that the
History list keeps track of your pages,
and click OK.
Changing your Home Page
It is quite common for computer
manufacturers to pre-set Internet
Explorer's home page, and for Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) to change
their customers' pre-existing home
page settings via Internet access
setup CDs or starter kits. While it can
be very convenient to take advantage
of a computer manufacturer or ISP's
preferred settings, especially when it
gives us instant access to important or
useful information, there is no reason
why we should not change Internet
Explorer's home page to our favorite
Internet site, or even set Internet
Explorer to open to a blank screen
when first started.
Tip: Before changing anything, you
may wish to add your current home
page to your favorites.
Our home page settings (and virtually
all other Internet Explorer settings) are
controlled via "Internet Options" on the
Tools menu.
To change your home page, simply
navigate to the Web page that you wish
to use as your home page and then
click the Use Current button.
The Use Blank button will set your
home page to about:blank. The
advantage of about:blank is
that Internet Explorer will open quickly,
and will not try to connect to the
internet, even if your current
connection setting is "always dial my
default connection."
The Use Default button will set the
Internet Explorer home page to a pre-
defined, language sensitive, URL as
chosen by Microsoft. Language
sensitive means that if, for example,
the language of first preference as
listed at "Language Preferences"
(accessible via Tools, Internet Options,
General Tab, Languages Button) is
"English (United States) [en-usa]" is at
the top of the list, the default home
page will be www.msn.com.
 |
Ergonomical Truths
By Shiela Oaks
1. Risks Of Keyboarding
People are always being told all about how typing for long periods of
time is bad for you, but have you ever wondered what really happens
and if there is a real cause for alarm? Well, unfortunately, there is!
Poor typing posture can cause pain and other symptoms in your:
Back
Neck and shoulders
Hands and wrists
Eyes
Back Pain
The lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been estimated at
nearly 70% for industrialized countries (Andersson, 1991), and much
of this is related to poor posture while sitting.
Hand/Wrist Problems
These include Cumulative Trauma Disorders, better known as CTDs,
RSIs (Repetitive Stress Injuries), OODs (Occupational Overuse
Disorders), etc.
In their milder forms, CTDs may involve injury to the tendons and
their sheaths within the hand and wrist area, which may cause:
Discomfort
Tenderness to touch
Inflammation
Weakening of the tendons
The more serious CTDs may lead to the following symptoms in the
hands, fingers, and arms:
Pain
Numbness
Tingling
Loss of sensation
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
One of the most serious and best known CTDs.
It results when the median nerve does not "work" properly. Usually,
this is thought to occur because there is too much pressure on the
nerve as it runs into the wrist through an opening called the carpal
tunnel.
Eventually, the pressure inside the tunnel reaches a point when the
nerve can no longer function normally. Pain and numbness in the
hand begin and progress if the cause is not eliminated.
Ulnar and radial deviation contribute to CTDs, but it is flexion and,
particularly, extension that are the real culprits.
Remember that when the wrist is in a neutral position, the carpal
tunnel is as big as it can be__so the nerve has as much room as
possible and injury can be prevented.
2. Preventing Injury When it comes to preventing injury, adults and
children need to primarily:
Keep their body and wrist posture in neutral positions while sitting
and keyboarding.
Have an appropriate workstation configuration.
Take breaks at appropriate intervals.
Neutral Keyboarding Posture
Upper and lower back well supported by chair
Chair height set so that the chair seat does not compress the back
of the knees
Feet firmly planted on a surface for support (floor or footrest)
Head balanced on neck (not tilted back or too far forward)
Upper arms close to body and relaxed (not abducted to the side or
flexed forward)
Sitting so that the:
Angle formed by the shoulders, hips, and knees is >90 degrees
Angle formed by the shoulder, elbow, and wrist is >90 degrees
Angle formed by the hips, knees, and feet is >90 degrees
Wrists at a neutral position, level with forearm (<15 degrees
deviation)
Chair armrests not directly compressing any part of the forearms or
elbows
Moving a mouse with your forearm and not just your wrist (will
reduce hand deviation)
Ideal Computer Workstation
Many people spend thousands and thousands of dollars on their
computers, software, and games and then completely disregard the
workstation where they sit day in and day out. But that would be like
buying a Ferrari and then buying the cheapest tires possible! It just
won’t work in the long run__and it’s the person who’s going to end
up hurting, literally.
1. Furniture and Equipment
Stable work surface. One that is adjustable in height may be good to
have when adults and very young children are sharing the same
workstation.
Comfortable, ergonomic, adjustable chair with at least chair height
and back support adjustment mechanisms. If the back tension of
the chair does not adjust, make sure that the lower back is firmly
supported.
Height-adjustable, gliding mouse platform that allows the mouse to
be positioned close to the side of the body, above the keyboard tray
(so that the arm does not have to reach to the side).
It does not matter exactly what type of keyboard and pointing device
you use as long as whatever you use feels comfortable, fits your
hands, and allows you to work in a neutral hand and body posture.
2. Normal Work Area
The normal work area corresponds to the space and objects that
can be reached by a person while sitting in front of a computer,
without having to twist the body or reach far. Make sure that
everything you need is within this area, including books, documents,
tools, a telephone, etc.
Be sure that the desk has a surface large enough to support all of
your materials, even the ones that you are not currently using.
The body should be centered on the alphanumeric part of the
keyboard. Most keyboards are asymmetrical in design (the
alphanumeric keyboard is to the left and a numeric keypad to the
right). If the outer edges of the keyboard are used as landmarks for
centering the keyboard and monitor, the user’s hands will be
deviated because the alphanumeric keys will be to the left of the
user's midline.
3. Computer Monitor Position
Monitor that is height and angle adjustable works best.
Monitor should be placed directly in front of the user and facing the
user, not angled to the left or right (to discourage neck twisting).
Your eyes should be in line with a point on the screen that is 2 to 3
inches below the top of the monitor. If the monitor is above or below
this height, your neck will be raised or lowered and the result will be
neck pain.
Monitor should be at a comfortable distance for viewing, which is
usually around an arm’s length (sit back, raise your arm, and your
fingers should touch the screen)
If text on the screen is too small, increase the font size__do not
move monitor closer.
Users with bifocal glasses should tilt their monitors slightly
backwards.
4. Lighting
It should not be too bright or too dark. Always use light even though
a computer screen is self-illuminating__there should not be a large
contrast between the screen and the area surrounding it.
Indirect lighting (that which illuminates the walls and ceilings), in
combination with a task light, works best.
If you do use a task light, position it as far away as possible__make
sure that you cannot see the light source when you look at the
screen.
There should be no glare falling on the screen. If there is, reposition
the workstation with regard to the light sources (natural or artificial).
Be careful not to just move the monitor, resulting in a poor viewing
angle. If repositioning alone does not work, use a good quality glass
anti-glare screen. If left uncorrected, glare will cause discomfort,
eyestrain, and headaches.
Avoid very glossy work surfaces and furnishings, such as mirrors
and shiny metal, which will contribute to glare.
5. Noise and Ventilation
Work in an environment with a level of noise that is comfortable for
you. Working in an uncomfortably loud environment stresses the
body and, as a result, the muscles tense up. This tension
accelerates injury.
If using headphones, make sure they are at a comfortable noise
level and that they fit properly.
Workstation should be located in a well ventilated area, with
adequate heating and cooling in order to minimize discomfort.
3. Taking Breaks Is Important! The risk of problems associated with
computer use depends more on the amount of time that one spends
keyboarding without taking a break in one single session than on the
total number of keyboarding sessions.
Eye Breaks: Looking at a computer screen for a while causes some
changes in how the eyes work, causes you to blink less often, and
exposes more of the eye surface to the air. Every 15 minutes you
should briefly look away from the screen for a minute or two to a
more distant scene, preferably something more that 20 feet away.
This lets the muscles inside the eye relax. Also, blink your eyes
rapidly for a few seconds. This refreshes the tear film and clears
dust form the eye surface.
Micro-breaks: Most typing is done in bursts rather than
continuously. Between these bursts of activity you should rest your
hands in a relaxed, flat, straight posture.
Rest Breaks: Every 60 minutes you should take a brief rest break.
During this break stand up, move around, and do something else. Go
get a drink of water, soda, tea, coffee, or whatever. This allows you
to rest and exercise different muscles and you'll feel less tired.
Exercise Breaks: There are many quick stretching and gentle
exercises that you can do to help relieve muscle fatigue. These
should be done every 1-2 hours, depending on your needs.
4. Workstation Exercises (to be done at least once an hour)
Deep Breathing: Breathe in slowly through the nose. Hold for 2
seconds, then exhale through the mouth. Repeat several times.
Head and Neck: Turn head slowly from one side to the other, holding
each turn for 3 seconds. Repeat several times.
Back: Start with the arms bent, hands near chest area, and push
elbows back. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat several times.
You can also raise arms in the same fashion, this time close to the
shoulders, to work out the upper back.
Shoulders: Roll shoulders slowly in a circular fashion, while trying to
make the circle as big as possible. Take about 5 seconds to
complete one circle. Repeat several times.
Wrists: Hold your hands out in front of you. Slowly raise and lower
your hands to stretch the muscles in the forearm. Repeat several
times.
Fingers and Hands: Make a tight fist. Hold for a second. Then spread
your fingers apart as far as you can. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax.
Repeat several times.
Tendon Gliding Exercises: These relieve tension in the tendons. Do
each of the following movements slowly, but do not force any of the
positions. Go as far as you comfortably can.
a) Starting Position: Raise your arm, with the hand extended (you
can also rest the elbow on a table and extend the hand).
b) Roof: Bend your fingers down to a right angle. Return to starting
position.
c) Straight Fist: Touch your fingertips to the base of your palm,
keeping the thumb straight. Return to starting position.
d) Hook Fist: Gently make a hook. Return to the starting position.
e) Full Fist: Make a fist. Return to the starting position.
5. The Real Truth About The Most Popular Ergonomic Products
Ergonomic chairs: As long as the chair has at least height and back
adjustment features, it will be worth your while. These chairs can
range in price from a hundred dollars or less to more than a
thousand dollars, and generally the more expensive ones have more
adjustment features and better construction. The greater a chair’s
adjustment capabilities, the greater the number of people that will
be able to sit on it comfortably.
Armrests: The best armrests will allow you to rest the area of your
forearm that lies halfway between your wrist and elbow, without
compressing any part of the arm. Look for those with at least height
and width adjustment features. Research studies have shown that
armrests provide many benefits, such as:
Reduced postural strain to the upper body
Reduced muscle loads in the upper arms, shoulders, and neck
Reduced loads on the spine (by redistributing the weight of your
upper body)
Reduced forearm exhaustion while typing (when your forearm gets
tired, you tend to increase wrist extension)
Reduced key forces while typing (the amount of force with which
you hit the keys plays a role in CTD development)
Keyboards: Most ergonomic keyboards on the market today are split
keyboards (those where the alphanumeric keys are split at an
angle). These keyboards mainly address the problem of wrist ulnar
deviation (side-to-side). However, wrist extension and flexion
(vertical movement) are more important when preventing injury.
There is no consistent research that shows that split keyboards
offer any postural benefits-, and for most people a regular keyboard
design works just fine if it's placed in the proper neutral position.
Some people find split keyboards to be more comfortable than
traditional keyboards, so if you use one, make sure that it is not
causing your shoulders to abduct (raised higher than is
comfortable).
Keyboard Trays: Height-adjustable, negative slope keyboard trays
(those that height adjust down to your lap and allow you to tilt them
away from your body) function best because they allow the body and
hands to maintain the most neutral working position (see section on
Neutral Keyboarding Posture). In order to be in the proper position,
you should almost feel as if your keyboard is placed on your lap.
Wrist rests: Research studies haven't demonstrated any substantial
benefits for wrist rests. Some people may actually experience
increased pressure in the wrist area just from using one. If you do
choose to use a wrist rest, a broad, flat surface design works best.
Many keyboards come with an attached or built-in plastic wrist rest,
which works well if it is broad and flat. Avoid soft and squishy wrist
rests (gel-filled) because these will contour to your wrist and
encourage wrist twisting movements__your hands should be able to
glide over the surface of a wrist rest during typing. Using a wrist rest
as forearm support can be comfortable and effective.
Glare Screens: Glare screens can only reduce glare__a lot of people
think that they can reduce or eliminate magnetic fields. This is
simply not true, no matter what the packaging says. Any jargon on
the packaging about "fields" usually refers to static electricity.
Usually it is the higher quality glare screens that are worth getting.
The lesser quality ones may reduce glare but may also accumulate
a lot of dust, thereby obscuring the image. And remember that you
may not even need a glare screen if you position your monitor in a
way that does not encourage glare (refer to Lighting within Ideal
Computer Workstation section).
Support Braces/Gloves: There is no consistent research evidence
that wearing wrist supports during computer use actually helps
reduce the risk of injury. If you do like wearing a wrist support, make
sure that it keeps your hand flat and straight, not bent upwards.
There is some evidence that wearing wrist supports at night in bed
can help relieve symptoms for those with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
By Shiela Oaks
1. Risks Of Keyboarding
People are always being told all about how typing for long periods of
time is bad for you, but have you ever wondered what really happens
and if there is a real cause for alarm? Well, unfortunately, there is!
Poor typing posture can cause pain and other symptoms in your:
Back
Neck and shoulders
Hands and wrists
Eyes
Back Pain
The lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been estimated at
nearly 70% for industrialized countries (Andersson, 1991), and much
of this is related to poor posture while sitting.
Hand/Wrist Problems
These include Cumulative Trauma Disorders, better known as CTDs,
RSIs (Repetitive Stress Injuries), OODs (Occupational Overuse
Disorders), etc.
In their milder forms, CTDs may involve injury to the tendons and
their sheaths within the hand and wrist area, which may cause:
Discomfort
Tenderness to touch
Inflammation
Weakening of the tendons
The more serious CTDs may lead to the following symptoms in the
hands, fingers, and arms:
Pain
Numbness
Tingling
Loss of sensation
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
One of the most serious and best known CTDs.
It results when the median nerve does not "work" properly. Usually,
this is thought to occur because there is too much pressure on the
nerve as it runs into the wrist through an opening called the carpal
tunnel.
Eventually, the pressure inside the tunnel reaches a point when the
nerve can no longer function normally. Pain and numbness in the
hand begin and progress if the cause is not eliminated.
Ulnar and radial deviation contribute to CTDs, but it is flexion and,
particularly, extension that are the real culprits.
Remember that when the wrist is in a neutral position, the carpal
tunnel is as big as it can be__so the nerve has as much room as
possible and injury can be prevented.
2. Preventing Injury When it comes to preventing injury, adults and
children need to primarily:
Keep their body and wrist posture in neutral positions while sitting
and keyboarding.
Have an appropriate workstation configuration.
Take breaks at appropriate intervals.
Neutral Keyboarding Posture
Upper and lower back well supported by chair
Chair height set so that the chair seat does not compress the back
of the knees
Feet firmly planted on a surface for support (floor or footrest)
Head balanced on neck (not tilted back or too far forward)
Upper arms close to body and relaxed (not abducted to the side or
flexed forward)
Sitting so that the:
Angle formed by the shoulders, hips, and knees is >90 degrees
Angle formed by the shoulder, elbow, and wrist is >90 degrees
Angle formed by the hips, knees, and feet is >90 degrees
Wrists at a neutral position, level with forearm (<15 degrees
deviation)
Chair armrests not directly compressing any part of the forearms or
elbows
Moving a mouse with your forearm and not just your wrist (will
reduce hand deviation)
Ideal Computer Workstation
Many people spend thousands and thousands of dollars on their
computers, software, and games and then completely disregard the
workstation where they sit day in and day out. But that would be like
buying a Ferrari and then buying the cheapest tires possible! It just
won’t work in the long run__and it’s the person who’s going to end
up hurting, literally.
1. Furniture and Equipment
Stable work surface. One that is adjustable in height may be good to
have when adults and very young children are sharing the same
workstation.
Comfortable, ergonomic, adjustable chair with at least chair height
and back support adjustment mechanisms. If the back tension of
the chair does not adjust, make sure that the lower back is firmly
supported.
Height-adjustable, gliding mouse platform that allows the mouse to
be positioned close to the side of the body, above the keyboard tray
(so that the arm does not have to reach to the side).
It does not matter exactly what type of keyboard and pointing device
you use as long as whatever you use feels comfortable, fits your
hands, and allows you to work in a neutral hand and body posture.
2. Normal Work Area
The normal work area corresponds to the space and objects that
can be reached by a person while sitting in front of a computer,
without having to twist the body or reach far. Make sure that
everything you need is within this area, including books, documents,
tools, a telephone, etc.
Be sure that the desk has a surface large enough to support all of
your materials, even the ones that you are not currently using.
The body should be centered on the alphanumeric part of the
keyboard. Most keyboards are asymmetrical in design (the
alphanumeric keyboard is to the left and a numeric keypad to the
right). If the outer edges of the keyboard are used as landmarks for
centering the keyboard and monitor, the user’s hands will be
deviated because the alphanumeric keys will be to the left of the
user's midline.
3. Computer Monitor Position
Monitor that is height and angle adjustable works best.
Monitor should be placed directly in front of the user and facing the
user, not angled to the left or right (to discourage neck twisting).
Your eyes should be in line with a point on the screen that is 2 to 3
inches below the top of the monitor. If the monitor is above or below
this height, your neck will be raised or lowered and the result will be
neck pain.
Monitor should be at a comfortable distance for viewing, which is
usually around an arm’s length (sit back, raise your arm, and your
fingers should touch the screen)
If text on the screen is too small, increase the font size__do not
move monitor closer.
Users with bifocal glasses should tilt their monitors slightly
backwards.
4. Lighting
It should not be too bright or too dark. Always use light even though
a computer screen is self-illuminating__there should not be a large
contrast between the screen and the area surrounding it.
Indirect lighting (that which illuminates the walls and ceilings), in
combination with a task light, works best.
If you do use a task light, position it as far away as possible__make
sure that you cannot see the light source when you look at the
screen.
There should be no glare falling on the screen. If there is, reposition
the workstation with regard to the light sources (natural or artificial).
Be careful not to just move the monitor, resulting in a poor viewing
angle. If repositioning alone does not work, use a good quality glass
anti-glare screen. If left uncorrected, glare will cause discomfort,
eyestrain, and headaches.
Avoid very glossy work surfaces and furnishings, such as mirrors
and shiny metal, which will contribute to glare.
5. Noise and Ventilation
Work in an environment with a level of noise that is comfortable for
you. Working in an uncomfortably loud environment stresses the
body and, as a result, the muscles tense up. This tension
accelerates injury.
If using headphones, make sure they are at a comfortable noise
level and that they fit properly.
Workstation should be located in a well ventilated area, with
adequate heating and cooling in order to minimize discomfort.
3. Taking Breaks Is Important! The risk of problems associated with
computer use depends more on the amount of time that one spends
keyboarding without taking a break in one single session than on the
total number of keyboarding sessions.
Eye Breaks: Looking at a computer screen for a while causes some
changes in how the eyes work, causes you to blink less often, and
exposes more of the eye surface to the air. Every 15 minutes you
should briefly look away from the screen for a minute or two to a
more distant scene, preferably something more that 20 feet away.
This lets the muscles inside the eye relax. Also, blink your eyes
rapidly for a few seconds. This refreshes the tear film and clears
dust form the eye surface.
Micro-breaks: Most typing is done in bursts rather than
continuously. Between these bursts of activity you should rest your
hands in a relaxed, flat, straight posture.
Rest Breaks: Every 60 minutes you should take a brief rest break.
During this break stand up, move around, and do something else. Go
get a drink of water, soda, tea, coffee, or whatever. This allows you
to rest and exercise different muscles and you'll feel less tired.
Exercise Breaks: There are many quick stretching and gentle
exercises that you can do to help relieve muscle fatigue. These
should be done every 1-2 hours, depending on your needs.
4. Workstation Exercises (to be done at least once an hour)
Deep Breathing: Breathe in slowly through the nose. Hold for 2
seconds, then exhale through the mouth. Repeat several times.
Head and Neck: Turn head slowly from one side to the other, holding
each turn for 3 seconds. Repeat several times.
Back: Start with the arms bent, hands near chest area, and push
elbows back. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat several times.
You can also raise arms in the same fashion, this time close to the
shoulders, to work out the upper back.
Shoulders: Roll shoulders slowly in a circular fashion, while trying to
make the circle as big as possible. Take about 5 seconds to
complete one circle. Repeat several times.
Wrists: Hold your hands out in front of you. Slowly raise and lower
your hands to stretch the muscles in the forearm. Repeat several
times.
Fingers and Hands: Make a tight fist. Hold for a second. Then spread
your fingers apart as far as you can. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax.
Repeat several times.
Tendon Gliding Exercises: These relieve tension in the tendons. Do
each of the following movements slowly, but do not force any of the
positions. Go as far as you comfortably can.
a) Starting Position: Raise your arm, with the hand extended (you
can also rest the elbow on a table and extend the hand).
b) Roof: Bend your fingers down to a right angle. Return to starting
position.
c) Straight Fist: Touch your fingertips to the base of your palm,
keeping the thumb straight. Return to starting position.
d) Hook Fist: Gently make a hook. Return to the starting position.
e) Full Fist: Make a fist. Return to the starting position.
5. The Real Truth About The Most Popular Ergonomic Products
Ergonomic chairs: As long as the chair has at least height and back
adjustment features, it will be worth your while. These chairs can
range in price from a hundred dollars or less to more than a
thousand dollars, and generally the more expensive ones have more
adjustment features and better construction. The greater a chair’s
adjustment capabilities, the greater the number of people that will
be able to sit on it comfortably.
Armrests: The best armrests will allow you to rest the area of your
forearm that lies halfway between your wrist and elbow, without
compressing any part of the arm. Look for those with at least height
and width adjustment features. Research studies have shown that
armrests provide many benefits, such as:
Reduced postural strain to the upper body
Reduced muscle loads in the upper arms, shoulders, and neck
Reduced loads on the spine (by redistributing the weight of your
upper body)
Reduced forearm exhaustion while typing (when your forearm gets
tired, you tend to increase wrist extension)
Reduced key forces while typing (the amount of force with which
you hit the keys plays a role in CTD development)
Keyboards: Most ergonomic keyboards on the market today are split
keyboards (those where the alphanumeric keys are split at an
angle). These keyboards mainly address the problem of wrist ulnar
deviation (side-to-side). However, wrist extension and flexion
(vertical movement) are more important when preventing injury.
There is no consistent research that shows that split keyboards
offer any postural benefits-, and for most people a regular keyboard
design works just fine if it's placed in the proper neutral position.
Some people find split keyboards to be more comfortable than
traditional keyboards, so if you use one, make sure that it is not
causing your shoulders to abduct (raised higher than is
comfortable).
Keyboard Trays: Height-adjustable, negative slope keyboard trays
(those that height adjust down to your lap and allow you to tilt them
away from your body) function best because they allow the body and
hands to maintain the most neutral working position (see section on
Neutral Keyboarding Posture). In order to be in the proper position,
you should almost feel as if your keyboard is placed on your lap.
Wrist rests: Research studies haven't demonstrated any substantial
benefits for wrist rests. Some people may actually experience
increased pressure in the wrist area just from using one. If you do
choose to use a wrist rest, a broad, flat surface design works best.
Many keyboards come with an attached or built-in plastic wrist rest,
which works well if it is broad and flat. Avoid soft and squishy wrist
rests (gel-filled) because these will contour to your wrist and
encourage wrist twisting movements__your hands should be able to
glide over the surface of a wrist rest during typing. Using a wrist rest
as forearm support can be comfortable and effective.
Glare Screens: Glare screens can only reduce glare__a lot of people
think that they can reduce or eliminate magnetic fields. This is
simply not true, no matter what the packaging says. Any jargon on
the packaging about "fields" usually refers to static electricity.
Usually it is the higher quality glare screens that are worth getting.
The lesser quality ones may reduce glare but may also accumulate
a lot of dust, thereby obscuring the image. And remember that you
may not even need a glare screen if you position your monitor in a
way that does not encourage glare (refer to Lighting within Ideal
Computer Workstation section).
Support Braces/Gloves: There is no consistent research evidence
that wearing wrist supports during computer use actually helps
reduce the risk of injury. If you do like wearing a wrist support, make
sure that it keeps your hand flat and straight, not bent upwards.
There is some evidence that wearing wrist supports at night in bed
can help relieve symptoms for those with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Hem/Onc Equipment
Common Lasers
Continuous wave lasers: Argon, CO2,
He-Ne, Krypton
Quasicontinuous wave lasers: Copper
Vapor/Bromide, Dye argon, KTP, XeCI
Pulsed lasers: Erbium,
Flashlamp-pumped Pulsed dye,
Holmium: YAG, HF
Q-switched lasers: Alexandrite, Nd:
YAG, Ruby
Common Lasers
Continuous wave lasers: Argon, CO2,
He-Ne, Krypton
Quasicontinuous wave lasers: Copper
Vapor/Bromide, Dye argon, KTP, XeCI
Pulsed lasers: Erbium,
Flashlamp-pumped Pulsed dye,
Holmium: YAG, HF
Q-switched lasers: Alexandrite, Nd:
YAG, Ruby
 |
Featured Specialty - Hematology/Oncology
From the AAMT BOS Second Edition [verbatim]:
Compiled by Stacy Hall
HEMATOLOGY:
p.40
blood pressure (BP) - Often abbreviated BP.
Use of mmHg
Blood pressure is reported in mmHg, but often only the values are
dictated. Do not delete mmHg if dictated. It may be added if not
dictated.
D: Blood pressure 110/80.
T: Blood pressure 110/80.
or
Blood pressure 110/80 mmHg.
p.41
blood types
Write out B negative or B positive rather than B- or B+, because the
minus or plus sign is easily overlooked.
p.201
Hemoccult
Hemoccult is a trade name and must be capitalized, even when
used In a compound form.
The exam was Hemoccult-negative.
or
The exam showed Hemoccult [test] was negative.
ONCOLOGY:
p.50
cancer classifications
stage and grade
Lowercase stage and grade.
Use roman numerals for cancer stages. For subdivisions of
cancer stages, add capital letter on the line and arabic suffixes,
without internal spaces or hyphens.
stage 0 (indicates carcinoma in situ)
stage I, stage IA
stage II, stage II3
stage III
stage IV, stage IVB
Use arabic numerals for grades.
grade 1
grade 2
grade 3
grade 4
From the AAMT BOS Second Edition [verbatim]:
Compiled by Stacy Hall
HEMATOLOGY:
p.40
blood pressure (BP) - Often abbreviated BP.
Use of mmHg
Blood pressure is reported in mmHg, but often only the values are
dictated. Do not delete mmHg if dictated. It may be added if not
dictated.
D: Blood pressure 110/80.
T: Blood pressure 110/80.
or
Blood pressure 110/80 mmHg.
p.41
blood types
Write out B negative or B positive rather than B- or B+, because the
minus or plus sign is easily overlooked.
p.201
Hemoccult
Hemoccult is a trade name and must be capitalized, even when
used In a compound form.
The exam was Hemoccult-negative.
or
The exam showed Hemoccult [test] was negative.
ONCOLOGY:
p.50
cancer classifications
stage and grade
Lowercase stage and grade.
Use roman numerals for cancer stages. For subdivisions of
cancer stages, add capital letter on the line and arabic suffixes,
without internal spaces or hyphens.
stage 0 (indicates carcinoma in situ)
stage I, stage IA
stage II, stage II3
stage III
stage IV, stage IVB
Use arabic numerals for grades.
grade 1
grade 2
grade 3
grade 4
New Med : Taxotere (docetaxel) FDA Approves Erbitux for Colorectal Cancer New Line of Therapy Available for Select Patients: A small group of patients with advanced colorectal cancer now have another treatment option available with Erbitux, a newly approved drug that has been found to shrink and delay tumor growth. New Leukemia therapies, Spring 2005 Lenalidomide (Revlimid, CC-5013) Azacitidine (Vidaza) PTK787 & Gleevec AP23573 RAD001 Pegasys Peg-Intron Oral IFN-a Gleevec AMN107 BMS-354825 Mepoluzimab Cladribine & Cytarabine Ontak (anti CD25 MoAb) Bone Marrow Transplant Mini-transplant Drake & Drake Hem/Onc Updates from November 2004 – February 2005 Alimta powder for IV infusion Rx antineoplastic for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [pemetrexed disodium] 500 mg/vial clofarabine purine nucleoside antimetabolite antineoplastic for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (orphan); investigational (Phase III) for acute myelogenous leukemia Clolar IV infusion Rx purine nucleoside antimetabolite antineoplastic for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (orphan); investigational (Phase III) for acute myelogenous leukemia [clofarabine] 20 mg/dose Gentle Iron capsules OTC hematinic; iron supplement [ferrous bisglycinate; vitamins B12 & C; folic acid] 28 mg Fe•8 µg•60 mg•400 µg histrelin USAN, INN LHRH agonist for prostate cancer; investigational (orphan) for acute intermittent porphyria, hereditary coproporphyria, and variegate porphyria Paraplatin injection, powder for IV injection Rx alkylating antineoplastic for ovarian and other cancers [carboplatin] 10 mg/mL; 50, 150, 450 mg pemetrexed disodium USAN folic acid antagonist; thymidylate synthase inhibitor; dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor; glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase inhibitor; antineoplastic for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and non-small cell lung cancer poly-L-lactic acid treatment for facial lipoatrophy from HIV infections Sculptra dermal injection Rx treatment for facial lipoatrophy from HIV infections [poly-L-lactic acid] Tabloid tablets Rx antimetabolite antineoplastic for acute nonlymphocytic leukemias (ANLL) [thioguanine] 40 mg Tarceva tablets Rx antineoplastic for advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); investigational (Phase III) for breast and pancreatic cancers; investigational (orphan) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma [erlotinib HCl] 25, 10, 150 mg targeted monoclonal antibody vehicles (T-MAVs) A class of agents that deliver a cytotoxic drug or radioactivity directly to the targeted tissue, usually a cancerous tumor; T-MAVs are not therapeutic per se, but transport the therapeutic agent (effector molecule) to a specific site thalidomide USAN, INN, BAN immunomodulator for erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) (orphan) and multiple myeloma; investigational (Phase III, orphan) for graft vs. host disease, AIDS- wasting syndrome, lupus, and mycobacterial infections; investigational (Phase II/III, orphan) for various cancers; investigational (Phase III) for aphthous ulcers Vantas Once-yearly subcu implant Rx LHRH agonist for palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer [histrelin acetate] 50 mg |
HELLP: hemolysis, elevated liver
enzymes, low platelets
NATR: Natrional Association of Tumor
Registrars
CAM: Complementary and Alternative
Medicine
DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
CHOP: cyclophosphamide,
hydroxydaunorubicin, Oncovin,
prednisone
CHOPE: Cytoxan, Halotestin, Oncovin,
predisone, etoposide
HAMA: human antimouse antibody
MALT: mucosa-associated lymphoid
tissue (MALT function, MALT
lymphoma)
MALToma - mucosa-associated
lymphoid tissue lymphoma
| DAYLIGHT Savings reminder - Clocks change April 3 at 2 a.m.! Remember we spring ahead to 3 a.m. until fall when we fall behind 1 hour to end Daylight Savings Time. Some people suggest changing the batteries in smoke detectors, too, when changing time on all of our clocks. Another suggestion: Change furnace filter. |
| World O Meter Very Cool! Office Diversions Everything Easter! April Fools' Pranks! Devices of Wonder Everything Easter! |
we have wonderful pearls in our
jewelry box to enjoy this weekend.
This week has been pretty rough for
us all, we could all use just a hug or
a word fitly spoken. Here you go and
know there is someone who knows
without you, there would be a hole
left no one else could fill. Have a
great weekend and go into next
week with hope in your heart,
refreshed and ready to progress.
This is lengthier than our usual
pearls, just think of it as a buffet for
you!
THESE LOVE NOTES WERE SHARED
FROM AMONG OUR OWN TEAM
SPHERIS!
PEARL 1: Yesterday is a canceled
check. Tomorrow is a promissory
note. Today is the only cash you
have. Spend it wisely.
PEARL 2: If you woke up this
morning with more health than
illness...you are more blessed than
the million who will not survive this
week.
PEARL 3: If you have never
experienced the danger of battle, the
loneliness of imprisonment, the
agony of torture, or the pangs of
starvation...you are more blessed
than three billion people in the world.
PEARL 4: If you have food in the
refrigerator, clothes on your back, a
roof overhead and a place to
sleep...you are richer than 75% of
this world.
PEARL 5: If you have money in the
bank, in your wallet, and spare
change in a dish someplace...you
are among the top 8% of the world's
wealthy.
PEARL 6: If you hold your head with
a smile on your face and are truly
thankful...you are blessed because
the majority can, but most do not. If
you can holdsomeone's hand, hug
them or even touch them on the
shoulder... you are blessed because
you can offer a healing touch.
PEARL 7: If you can read this
message, you are more blessed than
over two billion people in the world
that cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your
blessings!
Sharon "Scherrie" Winding, CMT
jewelry box to enjoy this weekend.
This week has been pretty rough for
us all, we could all use just a hug or
a word fitly spoken. Here you go and
know there is someone who knows
without you, there would be a hole
left no one else could fill. Have a
great weekend and go into next
week with hope in your heart,
refreshed and ready to progress.
This is lengthier than our usual
pearls, just think of it as a buffet for
you!
THESE LOVE NOTES WERE SHARED
FROM AMONG OUR OWN TEAM
SPHERIS!
PEARL 1: Yesterday is a canceled
check. Tomorrow is a promissory
note. Today is the only cash you
have. Spend it wisely.
PEARL 2: If you woke up this
morning with more health than
illness...you are more blessed than
the million who will not survive this
week.
PEARL 3: If you have never
experienced the danger of battle, the
loneliness of imprisonment, the
agony of torture, or the pangs of
starvation...you are more blessed
than three billion people in the world.
PEARL 4: If you have food in the
refrigerator, clothes on your back, a
roof overhead and a place to
sleep...you are richer than 75% of
this world.
PEARL 5: If you have money in the
bank, in your wallet, and spare
change in a dish someplace...you
are among the top 8% of the world's
wealthy.
PEARL 6: If you hold your head with
a smile on your face and are truly
thankful...you are blessed because
the majority can, but most do not. If
you can holdsomeone's hand, hug
them or even touch them on the
shoulder... you are blessed because
you can offer a healing touch.
PEARL 7: If you can read this
message, you are more blessed than
over two billion people in the world
that cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your
blessings!
Sharon "Scherrie" Winding, CMT
 |
| Thank you to the HyneSight Group Moderators and everyone who helps with the newsletter for all their hard work. You are the best! Rebekah - NL Editor in Chief Stacy-NL BOS Column Sheila - NL Column Venetia - Calendar Angela - Links and NL editor |
Q.O. Good Friday
| Featured MT - Melissa Smith |
Volume 2, No. 5, March 25, 2005
| Happy Easter! |
 |
Website Created by Connie Vance
What did he say?
Old man and his wife went to
see the doctor
An old man and his wife came
in to see the doctor because
the old man just wasn't feeling
well.
When they went into the
doctors office and told him
their complaints, the doctor
said, "I will need a urine
sample, a stool sample, and a
semen sample."
The old man, who was very
deaf turned to his wife and
said, "what did he say?"
The old woman looked at him,
looked at the doctor and
yelled, "He said he needs your
underwear!"
Old man and his wife went to
see the doctor
An old man and his wife came
in to see the doctor because
the old man just wasn't feeling
well.
When they went into the
doctors office and told him
their complaints, the doctor
said, "I will need a urine
sample, a stool sample, and a
semen sample."
The old man, who was very
deaf turned to his wife and
said, "what did he say?"
The old woman looked at him,
looked at the doctor and
yelled, "He said he needs your
underwear!"
Whats the difference
between a surgeon
and a puppy?
The puppy grows up and stops
whinning!!!!
between a surgeon
and a puppy?
The puppy grows up and stops
whinning!!!!
Military Intelligence Business Ethics Recent History Pretty Ugly Jumbo Shrimp Freezer Burn Constant Change Bitter Sweet Soft Rock Concrete Pad Original Copy Random Order Tough Love Thunderous Silence Neutral Charge New Antiques Congressional Action Old News Strong Decaf Cold Sweat Small Crowd Awfully Good Short Distance Safety Hazard Clearly Confusing Slow Speed Rap Music Silent Scream Honest Politician Creative Destruction Postal Service City Worker Totally Partial Sanitary Sewer Sweet Sorrow Rolling Stop Green Consumerism Genuine Imitation Mournful Optimist Deafening Silence Almost Exactly Approximately Equal Real Fantasy Farewell Reception Mute Sound Good Job Plastic Glass Alone Together Civil War Peace Keeper Missile Maxi Thins Male Lady Bug |
| A new keyboard key, when your computer really has you frustrated! |
| The PCs Prayer Our Program, who art in memory Hello be thy name Thy operating system come, Thy command be done, At the printer as they are on the screen. Give us this day our daily data, And forgive us our errors As we forgive those whose logic circuits are faulty. Lead us not into frustration, And deliver us from power surges. For thine is the algorithm, the application, and the solution, Looping forever and ever. Return. |
21 Things To Say If You Get
Caught Sleeping on the Job ...
1. "They told me at the blood
bank this might happen."
2. "This is just a 15-minute
power nap like they raved
about in that
time-management course
you sent me to."
3. "I was working
smarter-not harder."
4. "Whew! I musta left the
top off the liquid paper."
5. "Oh, I wasn't sleeping! I
was meditating on our
mission statement and
envisioning a new
paradigm!"
6. "This is one of the seven
habits of highly effective
people!"
7. "I was testing the
keyboard for
drool-resistance."
8. "I was trying to remember
where that difficult "Z" Key
was, and now... it is indelibly
imprinted on my brain, or at
least my forehead."
9. "I'm in the management
training program."
10. "I'm actually doing a
"Stress Level Elimination
Exercise Plan" (SLEEP) I
learned at the last
mandatory seminar you
made me attend."
11. "This is in exchange for
the six hours last night when
I dreamed about work!"
12. "I was doing a highly
specific Yoga exercise to
relieve work-related
stress.... Do
you discriminate against
people who practice Yoga?"
13. "Darn! Why did you
interrupt me? I had almost
figured out a solution to our
biggest problem."
14. "Uh, hey, whaddaya
expect... the coffee machine
is broken..."
15. "Someone must've put
decaf in the wrong pot."
16. "Boy, that cold medicine I
took last night just won't
wear off!"
17. "It worked well for
Reagan, didn't it?"
18. "Ah, the unique and
unpredictable circadian
rhythms of the workaholic!"
19. "I wasn't sleeping. I was
trying to pick up my contact
lens without my hands."
20. "The mailman flipped out
and pulled a gun so I was
playing dead to avoid getting
shot."
21. "Geez, I thought you (the
boss) were gone for the day."
Caught Sleeping on the Job ...
1. "They told me at the blood
bank this might happen."
2. "This is just a 15-minute
power nap like they raved
about in that
time-management course
you sent me to."
3. "I was working
smarter-not harder."
4. "Whew! I musta left the
top off the liquid paper."
5. "Oh, I wasn't sleeping! I
was meditating on our
mission statement and
envisioning a new
paradigm!"
6. "This is one of the seven
habits of highly effective
people!"
7. "I was testing the
keyboard for
drool-resistance."
8. "I was trying to remember
where that difficult "Z" Key
was, and now... it is indelibly
imprinted on my brain, or at
least my forehead."
9. "I'm in the management
training program."
10. "I'm actually doing a
"Stress Level Elimination
Exercise Plan" (SLEEP) I
learned at the last
mandatory seminar you
made me attend."
11. "This is in exchange for
the six hours last night when
I dreamed about work!"
12. "I was doing a highly
specific Yoga exercise to
relieve work-related
stress.... Do
you discriminate against
people who practice Yoga?"
13. "Darn! Why did you
interrupt me? I had almost
figured out a solution to our
biggest problem."
14. "Uh, hey, whaddaya
expect... the coffee machine
is broken..."
15. "Someone must've put
decaf in the wrong pot."
16. "Boy, that cold medicine I
took last night just won't
wear off!"
17. "It worked well for
Reagan, didn't it?"
18. "Ah, the unique and
unpredictable circadian
rhythms of the workaholic!"
19. "I wasn't sleeping. I was
trying to pick up my contact
lens without my hands."
20. "The mailman flipped out
and pulled a gun so I was
playing dead to avoid getting
shot."
21. "Geez, I thought you (the
boss) were gone for the day."
Oops!
Medical
Transcription Bloopers!
The patient comes in for a
lesion on the penis which has
been present on and off for 2
years and seems to be getting
smaller.
Patient comes in complaining
of hoarseness. The patient
apparently lives with his wife
and does a fair amount of
talking.
The left side of his cranium is
missing.
He does have well-known
hemorrhoids.
Reflexes in the upper
extremities are normal and
symmetrical. Lower
extremities show an absent
right ankle compared to the left.
I also gave her a back book to
start doing exercises in.
He does have a fairly high
stress job and appears in the
clinic with his lap-top computer
today.
The patient wishes to establish
with a neurologist with the
diagnosis of Parkinson's
disease.
She is on SEPTRA right now for
a sinus infection which she
was given over the phone.
She has not been taking the
medications that were
prescribed. She notes that
smoking marijuana currently
helps most of her symptoms.
The patient reports that since
she had a colonoscopy, she
has noticed some problems
with her short term memory.
28 year old male comes in
requesting a work release for
his foot.
She reports some hearing loss,
with difficulty hearing her
husband.
She has a long history of
asthma; usually she has found
that this is exacerbated by
being around moles.
During our exam, this man was
shaking: basically he was
shaking his right leg when I
was watching, and he was not
shaking his right leg when I
was not watching. According to
the EMT who brought him back
in to the room, when he went
outside to get the man he
looked completely normal,
walked in unaided with no
problem, sat down in the room
and began shaking and having
what he calls "spasms and
seizure-like activity." He has
good deep tendon reflexes on
the left side, which he did not
shake until at the end of the
exam: I think he may have
forgotten which side was
supposed to shake and which
side wasn't.
Her next complaint is
abdominal pain that she notices
only when the wind blows on
her abdomen.
He describes the ear pain as
being in the ear.
ALLERGIC TO MORPHINE,
VALIUM, AND HER RELATIVES.
This is her first period since
vaginal delivery of a three
month old baby.
The patient fell while
rollerblading on his left hand.
Fracture to the proximal
phalanx of the right fourth toe
on the right fifth foot.
Multiple strains and sprains
secondary to motor vehicle
accident of the neck, shoulders
and low back.
The patient cannot touch her
shoulder blade with her right
shoulder.
The patient was taken to the
microscopic room.
The pain starts right after he
eats meals located around his
belly-button.
The patient presents for
follow-up of thoracic back
strain, which occurred 03/16/96
while twisting in the dishroom.
Patient comes in to Urgent Care
feeling concerned because at
work he feels slightly confused
and disoriented. At work he
usually carries on 3-4
conversations at a time, and
now he only is able to carry on
one conversation at a time.
Admits to being
hypochondriacal about things
recently and in fact she has had
to stop watching the TV show
"E.R." because she gets every
symptom that she sees.
Her husband had received the
"husband of the year" award
two years ago, but has since
moved out and is living with a
church secretary.
Medical
Transcription Bloopers!
The patient comes in for a
lesion on the penis which has
been present on and off for 2
years and seems to be getting
smaller.
Patient comes in complaining
of hoarseness. The patient
apparently lives with his wife
and does a fair amount of
talking.
The left side of his cranium is
missing.
He does have well-known
hemorrhoids.
Reflexes in the upper
extremities are normal and
symmetrical. Lower
extremities show an absent
right ankle compared to the left.
I also gave her a back book to
start doing exercises in.
He does have a fairly high
stress job and appears in the
clinic with his lap-top computer
today.
The patient wishes to establish
with a neurologist with the
diagnosis of Parkinson's
disease.
She is on SEPTRA right now for
a sinus infection which she
was given over the phone.
She has not been taking the
medications that were
prescribed. She notes that
smoking marijuana currently
helps most of her symptoms.
The patient reports that since
she had a colonoscopy, she
has noticed some problems
with her short term memory.
28 year old male comes in
requesting a work release for
his foot.
She reports some hearing loss,
with difficulty hearing her
husband.
She has a long history of
asthma; usually she has found
that this is exacerbated by
being around moles.
During our exam, this man was
shaking: basically he was
shaking his right leg when I
was watching, and he was not
shaking his right leg when I
was not watching. According to
the EMT who brought him back
in to the room, when he went
outside to get the man he
looked completely normal,
walked in unaided with no
problem, sat down in the room
and began shaking and having
what he calls "spasms and
seizure-like activity." He has
good deep tendon reflexes on
the left side, which he did not
shake until at the end of the
exam: I think he may have
forgotten which side was
supposed to shake and which
side wasn't.
Her next complaint is
abdominal pain that she notices
only when the wind blows on
her abdomen.
He describes the ear pain as
being in the ear.
ALLERGIC TO MORPHINE,
VALIUM, AND HER RELATIVES.
This is her first period since
vaginal delivery of a three
month old baby.
The patient fell while
rollerblading on his left hand.
Fracture to the proximal
phalanx of the right fourth toe
on the right fifth foot.
Multiple strains and sprains
secondary to motor vehicle
accident of the neck, shoulders
and low back.
The patient cannot touch her
shoulder blade with her right
shoulder.
The patient was taken to the
microscopic room.
The pain starts right after he
eats meals located around his
belly-button.
The patient presents for
follow-up of thoracic back
strain, which occurred 03/16/96
while twisting in the dishroom.
Patient comes in to Urgent Care
feeling concerned because at
work he feels slightly confused
and disoriented. At work he
usually carries on 3-4
conversations at a time, and
now he only is able to carry on
one conversation at a time.
Admits to being
hypochondriacal about things
recently and in fact she has had
to stop watching the TV show
"E.R." because she gets every
symptom that she sees.
Her husband had received the
"husband of the year" award
two years ago, but has since
moved out and is living with a
church secretary.
Volume 2, No. 5, March 25, 2005,