Shortcuts Corner – Rheumatology

Shortcuts Corner

Rheumatology

By Betsy Ertel, AHDI-F

Below is a listing of example shortcuts based on words taken from “How to Transcribe Rheumatology Reports” by Deb Albert. Review each description and rename its keyword by writing down the customized keyword that pops into your head. As you complete this task, you will see a thought pattern that conveys your own awareness to creating shortcuts. There is no wrong answer…only what your brain tells you. Have fun with this exercise and see how many different Keywords you create versus what has been generated here.

Explanation – In reference to the Keywords and Descriptions created, please note the reasoning behind the naming patterns suggested below contained in this listing as follows:

Dexa vs dexac – the ‘c’ represents the ALL CAPS nonexpanded version

Dmards vs demardsc – the ‘c’ represents the ALL CAPS nonexpanded version

Rhud vs rhuds – the ‘s’ represents the plural version

iga – Description contains proper representation of lower/upper case

KEYWORD: crp

DESCRIPTION: C-reactive protein

KEYWORD: dmards

DESCRIPTION: disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

KEYWORD: dmardsc

DESCRIPTION: DMARDS

KEYWORD: iga

DESCRIPTION: IgA

KEYWORD: igg

DESCRIPTION: IgG

KEYWORD: ostp

DESCRIPTION: osteopenia

KEYWORD: pip

DESCRIPTION: proximal interphalangeal joint

KEYWORD: pipj

DESCRIPTION: PIP joint

KEYWORD: ra

DESCRIPTION: rheumatoid arthritis

KEYWORD: rac

DESCRIPTION: RA

KEYWORD: rom

DESCRIPTION: range of motion

KEYWORD: rsd

DESCRIPTION: reflex sympathetic dystrophy

KEYWORD: rsv

DESCRIPTION: respiratory syncytial virus

Alternately, punctuation may be used to create a particular pattern. For example, a hyphen (-) at the end of a shortcut may indicate expansion of a shortcut.

KEYWORD: dexa

DESCRIPTION: DEXA

KEYWORD: dexa-

DESCRIPTION: dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry

KEYWORD: spect

DESCRIPTION: SPECT

KEYWORD: spect-

DESCRIPTION: single-photon-emission computed tomography

KEYWORD: sle

DESCRIPTION: SLE

KEYWORD: sle-

DESCRIPTION: systemic lupus erythematosus

KEYWORD: nsaids

DESCRIPTION: NSAIDS

KEYWORD: nsaids-

DESCRIPTION: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs