I try to follow the basic ABCZ rules, but have a couple of exceptions for the words that show up so often in my progress notes:

xx = x-ray
ss = symptoms

I was thinking of adding a few more exceptions for my PFT reports, such as:

ii= increased
nn = normal
dd = decreased

Does anyone have ideas of other words that are so common you find them in almost any report? I figure I can memorize 26 exceptions, one for every letter of the alphabet, without too much trouble and it will save time, especially if the words are fairly short and the usual ABCZ would be on the long side (like x-ray or symptoms).

If you're using Instant Text, you can put your favorite words in the Singles glossary and call them up with one letter. See this post on the IT forum.

http://textware.com/board/itmainforum/posts/841.html

Sorry, should have stated earlier - I use AutoCorrect with Word 2003 at my on-site job, Word 2000 at home for my IC work.

I love double-keying a letter for certain expansions! And triple-keying a few, too! I never was really into it until I saw Cheryl post about it on some other board, a long time ago. It's wonderful, just as you say, Suzanne! Mine are all for more than one-word expansions, though. I think any you come up with that are comfortable for you, go for it!

Let's see, very common words in almost every report type. Presented, (or presents) is a big constant for me! Weakness is a biggee, and unable is another. Obstructive. LOL, I guess there are many, many!

Hi Harrie!

I've got pretty good systems down for phrases, but there are certain words where the ABCZ method just doesn't quite gel in my brain. (There's an image!).

I've pp for probable and bb for bilateral (ever since I expanded bill to bilateral rather than the patient's first name, I've been thinking of a good alternative for that one - oy...).

Since I am still getting paid by the hour (and not nearly my financial goal), I am using the time to try to get "up to speed" within my limitations - no IT, no cool downloads, etc. The one thing I can do is make sure my brain is trained for thinking in shortcuts...I want to hit 350-400 lph consistently. I've hit 350 lph once, and 270 consistently, so I have a ways to go.

When my clinic goes to EMRs and downsizes me or gives me a job in exchange which I don't care for (they may choose a system which uses no MTs at all, nor editors/proofreaders) I want to be in good shape for working with a national. If I am working on production, I want to meet my quota in 5 hours, max.

So....there's the story of me. More'n anybody ever wanted to know!

I know you've got a worthy goal! Goes right along with mine!

Yep. More money for less time to us all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey, cool! I am now listed as a "supreme member." I'm a Supreme! I'm a Supreme! Where's Diana Ross when I need her?

I use a semi colon after a letter like
u; unremarkable
c; calcifications
p; predominantly
d; demonstrates

That's a great way to do it in SH. Thanks for posting, KLawre. And welcome to the board! Don't know how I missed your post....well, I've missed a lot lately. Arrrgh!

ll=level
mll=multilevel
gg=going
xx=x-ray
zz=zig-zag
vv=vasovagal
tt=to the, which would lead to:
ttor=to the OR
ttorx=to the operating room
tto=to the office etc.
pp=pupil
oo=or other, which would lead to:
ooc=or other complaints
ooi=or other injuries
oop=or other problems
oos=or other symptoms, etc.
nn=non, so
nnc=noncontributory
nndr=nondrinker
nns=nonsmoker
nnf-nonfocal, and you get the general idea.
This post made me think though that I could use more of these. I'll have to think on this. One thing you guys always make me do is think! Thanks again./bj

Some of these were swiped from elsewhere but here are some additional:
rx=prescribe
rxd=prescribed
rxn=prescription
tx= treat
txt=treatment
txd=treated
bx= biopsy
cx=cervix
dx=diagnosis
dxs=diagnoses
ex=examine
exn=examination
hx=history
px=physical
pxn=physician
sx=symptom
sxs=symptoms
dz=disease

Can you tell I like x?

Ellen

Ellen, do you work in a hospital? I learned those abbreviations by reading charts when I worked as a pharmacy tech. The only one I see you missed that I use is
fx = fracture

I like using x and / to expand certain phrases. For example, ivp=IVP, ivpx=intravenous pyelogram, and ivp/=INTRAVENOUS PYELOGRAM:

I try to apply the same rule generally to make it easier for me to remember my shortcuts, so cns=CNS, cnsx=central nervous system and, were I to use it in a heading, I would use the slash to expand cns/ to CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: It's helpful to me to use and expand acronyms this way, so I have turp=TURP, turpx=transurethral resection of prostate, and turp/=TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF PROSTATE. This way I can use pretty much the same shortcut for the phrase whether it be expanded or not, and regardless of where it is dictated. It also helps me to use commonly used acronyms to remember these.

This doesn't apply to words and phrases that come up often and don't need to be set apart like that. I like to use 'tol' to expand The patient tolerated the procedure well, and I leave it without punctuation in case I need to add to the end. I otherwise use shortcuts for words such as 'otherwise' (ow), without (wo), throughout (tho), available (av), increased (inc), decreased (dec), fracture (fx), diagnosis (dx), etc., and phrases like within normal limits (wnl), normal in size (nis), the patient (tp), the patient's (tps), etc.

I'm using n in certain cases too, i.e., ex-exam and exn=examination (as above), and cath=catheter and cathn=catheterization, etc. In this (and other) cases where the word might appear lower case in the body of the report but capped in a heading, I use cath/ for CATHETERIZATION, exn/ for EXAMINATION, etc., where cathd=catheterized and exd=examined.

Other mnemonics include wow=without and with, csac=cul-de-sac, sped=special education, etc.

I might save a few keystrokes if I shorten some of my shortcuts, but then I wouldn't find them as easy to remember. I've gotten so used to these my fingers just go there automatically--a good thing!

I like the double consonant idea. I'm going with rr=right and ll=left and thinking about other ways I can use this too.

A new radiology account already caused me to put this to use. Instead of using anything else, the new rule is that if I have 'cind' for 'clinical indication' I will use cindd (double the last consonant) when I want it to expand in caps (without first going through the drudgery of putting on my caps lock before the shortcut). This way I remember the shortcut I'm used to.

Kewl. Thanks.