Consecutive Number Rule
One of the rules you would have to learn in the medical transcription field is the consecutive number rule, which requires you to spell out numbers to ensure clarity. This also helps to prevent dosage errors. For instance, the correct way for this dose is to write Tylenol 500 one daily, rather than writing Tylenol 500 1 daily.
Drug Dosage Rule
Another rule you will have to learn in medical transcribing is drug dosage rules. You are required to use zeros before drug dosages if there is a decimal present. This will help to clarify what the dosage is and that it is below 1.0. Sometimes the decimal is overlooked. This will eliminate errors as much as possible. For instance, the right way to write a decimal dosage is Lidocaine 0.75 mg/kg, rather than writing Lidocaine .75 mg/kg.
Fraction Rule
With the fraction rule, a medical transcriber is required to use numbers for expressing mixed fractions. For instance, the right way to write it is 1 1/2 year, instead of writing one and a half years.
Beginning Sentence Number Rule
With this rule, medical transcriptionists are not allowed to start a sentence using a number. For instance, you would write Tylenol 500 mg administered stat., rather than writing 500 milligrams of Tylenol was administered stat.
Number Series Rule
With this rule, you will have to write the actual numbers if it is between one and nine or is a mixed decimal or fraction. As an example, you would write John has only 1 job, 1 place of employment and 12 hours a day to complete his work, rather than John has one job, one place of employment and 12 hours a day to complete his work.
