Audio recording is a standard practice done by several insurance companies and health care professionals to make important inputs about insurance claims and patient data respectively. These recorded statements carry a lot of relevant information and can even serve as a piece of evidence in a court of law. They cannot be taken lightly, which is why several insurance firms, hospitals and even independent physicians resort to engage audio transcription services to transform raw data into standardized documents.
Firms offering transcription services have a team of highly trained transcriptionists who ensure timely delivery of highly accurate transcribed files. However, the accuracy and effectiveness of audio transcription is determined by the quality of the audio recording. Eyered, a leading provider of high quality and cost-effective medical transcription services recommend the following best practices for efficient audio recording.
Try restricting background noises
When recording statement of an individual in person or over a speaking phone or self-recording an audio file make sure that there is minimal sound in the background. It’s best to perform any job related to audio recording in an empty room, however sometimes that’s impossible. Therefore, alert others present in the room when you are recording a statement. Remember that even background noises such as the sound of the printer, typing, telephone ringing can blur information. Also, make sure that all phones within the vicinity of the room are put on silent mode prior to recording.
Photo Flickr Ak-i
Use noise cancellation headsets
If you are recording statement over a phone call, make sure that you use a noise cancellation headset with a microphone that will help you focus on the job and enable you to hear the person on the other side of the phone better.
Seek consent from the participant or participants
It is always recommended to inform the participant or participants that their statements or interview is being recorded. The consent is taken so as to avoid any kind of legal complication. Some suggest that recording patient consultation by doctors is violation of HIPPA compliance, but it’s actually not if you take consent from the patient in advance.
Record time, date and name of participants
In order to maintain chronology of the data, make sure that you speak into the microphone or recorder the time and date of the recording. Mentioning the names of the participant(s) is also recommended for further streamlining of data.
Use good quality equipment’s
The quality of recording devices such as digital recorders, microphone can impact the quality of your recording. Thus, use only high quality equipment’s for all recording purposes.
Avoid the usage of abbreviations and acronyms
As a rule avoid the use of abbreviations. And if at all you use an acronym, do mention its full form a better understanding of the audio recording. Avoid using fillers such as “umm”, “ahh”, “like” etc.
Speak into the microphone or the recorder
While recording the statement, ensure that your voice is captured properly. Speak directly into the microphone. In case you are recording the statement of the participant, remind them to speak into the microphone. Clear speech is important for a well-recorded audio piece.
Speak coherently
While speaking, we tend to use a lot of connecting words like “but”, “and”, “so”, in order to make a point. Speaking in such a tone while recording an observation can sound incoherent, therefore try avoiding that. Instead speak in short sentences, good grammar and clear sound.
In conclusion we can say that besides ensuring highly accurate transcripts, adhering to the aforementioned practice will reduce the time and cost of audio transcription service. Often due to lack of clarity and recording of complete information you send the transcribed files again to the transcription agency to review or re-do work. However, this back and forth cycle will break, if the recording is done in a clean and precise manner.
Audio recording of the conversation between Captain Francesco Schettino and Port Authority officials after the doomed Italian luxury cruise liner Costa Concordia struck rocks Friday was released Tuesday morning.
At least eleven people were killed in the aftermath and dozens more are still missing. The follow is a translation of the recording, which was posted on the news website Corriere della Sera.
“Captain Schettino: It’s Captain Schettino.
Port Authority: Schettino, listen to me, there are people trapped onboard, now you go back, you will go with your rescue boat under the stern of the ship, there are some steps, you climb those steps and you get onboard and you get back to me letting me know how many people are on board. Is that clear to you? I am actually recording this conversation captain.
[inaudible, captain mumbles]
PA: Speak in a loud voice.
Captain: So, the ship right now [inaudible]…
PA: Speak in a loud voice! Put your hand by the microphone to cover it and speak up! Is that clear?
Voices in the background: Tell him to come here. Tell him to come here.
Captain: So, right now the ship is tilted…
PA: I understand that. Listen to me, there are people that are getting off using the rope ladder on the stern side, you go back there and you go up that ladder the opposite way, you go onboard the ship and you tell me how many people [are there] And what they need. You tell me if there are children, women or people that need assistance and you give me a number for each one of these categories is that clear? Look Schettino, you may have saved yourself from the sea but will put you through a lot of trouble it will be very bad for you! Get back on board for [expletive]’s sake!!!
Captain: Officer, please.
PA: There are no “pleases”! Get back on board! Please assure me that you are going back on board.
Captain: I am here on the rescue boat. I’m right here, I didn’t go anywhere else, I’m here.
PA: What are you doing captain?
Captain: I’m here to coordinate rescue operations.
PA: What are you coordinating? Get back on board and coordinate rescue operations from onboard the ship.
[silence, sound cuts out]
PA: Do you refuse to do that?
Captain: No, I’m not refusing to do that.
PA: Are you refusing to back on board?
Captain: No, I am not refusing to go back. I am not going because the other rescue boat stopped.
PA: Get back on board! This is an order! You don’t need to make any other assessment. You have declared that you have abandoned ship, therefore I’m in command. Get back on board right now is that clear?
Captain: Officer…
PA: Can you not hear me?
Captain: I’m getting back on board.
PA: Then go! And call me right away when you are on board. There’s my rescuer there.
Captain: Where is your rescuer?
PA: My rescuer is on the stern side, go! There are already bodies, Schettino! Go!
Captain: Officer how many bodies are there?
PA: I don’t know. I know about one… I’ve heard about one, but you must tell me! [expletive]!
Captain: Do you realize it’s dark out here and we can’t see anything?
PA: What do you want to do ? Do you want to go home? It’s dark so you want to go home? Get on the stern of that ship climb the ladder and tell me what can be done, how many people are there and what they need. Right now!
Captain: I’m here with my second officer.
[Schettino identifies second officer.]
PA: You and your second officer must get back on board right now is that clear?
Captain: I just wanted to tell you that the other rescue boat here with other rescuers stopped. It’s just stopped. Now I’ve called the other rescuers.
PA: You’ve been telling me the same thing for an hour now get back on board! On board! And you get back to me right away telling me how many people are there.
Captain: It’s fine officer, I’m going.
PA: Then go, right now!
[A second recording appears to show another conversation between Captain Francesco Schettino and the Port Authority:]
Captain: I have spoken with the company, and there seem to be some people still onboard, possibly about one hundred.
PA: And you can’t even give me a precise number? You say “there seem to be”?
Captain: Well, we were carrying out evacuation procedures, but now all the officers have gathered on the rescue boat with me.
PA: Where are you guys? All on the reascue boat? Excuse me, earlier you told me you where with one colleague only — now all the officers are there?
Captain: Yes, there’s me, my second officer, and…
PA: If the officers were able to get down there, it means they were still able to move…
Captain: Indeed, now…
PA: Then why are they not going back on board to see what the situation is like and then tell us about it, thank you? Send them on board! Send someone on board to coordinate!
Captain: Now it’s not…
PA: Send someone back on board!
Captain: I am coordinating…
PA: I am giving you an order, Captain. You must send someone onboard!
Captain: We are going on board to coordinate ourselves…
PA: Exactly! You must go onboard to coordinate the disembarking! Is that clear?
Captain: But we can no longer get on board now, the ship has sunk completely.
PA: Why did you allow them to get off, Captain?
Captain: I didn’t… We abandoned ship.
PA: And with 100 people still on board you abandon ship? [expletive]
Captain: I didn’t abandon any ship… because the ship turned on its side quickly and we were catapulted into the water.
PA: We’ll clarify later what actually happened… for now tell me everything that goes on, everything! Place yourself under the ship with your rescue boat and don’t leave.
Captain: We’re here. We’re here.”
