2026-02-02 – Weekly Medical Transcription News : Why '2/2' is still used in 2026

Last week in our Medical Transcription community, discussions covered a range of pertinent topics. Members delved into the intricacies of interpreting heart exams, shared tips on what to expect during initial transcription tests, and explored the nuances of transcription language that persist in practice. There was also a lively exchange on tools and techniques to enhance transcription efficiency, including software snippet packs and hardware recommendations. Professional development was another key theme, with conversations about continuing education units (CEUs) that are both beneficial and engaging.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Scallops in the heart exam
This thread unpacks the term “scallops” within heart exams, offering insights into its transcription nuances.
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First MT tests: what to expect
New to medical transcription? Get firsthand advice on what your first tests might involve and how to prepare.
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Why does ‘2/2’ survive in 2026
A fascinating discussion on why certain shorthand, like ‘2/2’, continues to be relevant in future documentation.
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ASR’s most annoying medical homophone
Explore the most troublesome homophones that automatic speech recognition systems trip over.
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Espanso snippet packs for MTs
Discover how Espanso can streamline your workflow with customizable snippet packs tailored for medical transcription.
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Standardizing our pediatric macro phrases
Dive into the effort to standardize macro phrases in pediatric transcription for consistency and accuracy.
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Quieter keyboard that still feels fast
Discuss recommendations for keyboards that balance quiet operation with speed, ideal for transcriptionists.
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Worthwhile CEUs you’ve taken lately
Share and discover CEUs that offer real value beyond just fulfilling requirements.
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Straightforward CEUs that aren’t busywork
A practical look at CEUs that cut through the noise and provide essential skills and knowledge.
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Thanks for engaging with our community. Your contributions and insights are what make this space valuable. Keep sharing your experiences and learning from each other.

Still seeing ‘2/2’ in heart exams and consults — on our team we auto-expand it to ‘secondary to’ in narrative, but leave true fractions alone (e.g., 2/6 systolic murmur). For initial transcription tests, I assume expand-unless-template and note it in the submission; patient portals and payers hate the shorthand. Caveat: if a facility macro spits ‘2/2’ in problem lists, I keep it once and flag it with an AHDI cite (https://www.ahdionline.org).

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For initial tests, I use AutoHotkey to expand ‘2/2’ in narrative; caveat: numeric fields in EMR stay untouched.

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I’ve found that using abbreviations like ‘2/2’ can cause confusion when you’re not careful. When I prep for initial tests, I make it a point to clarify such terms in my notes to ensure everything’s crystal clear for reviewers. It’s just a small adjustment, but it really helps avoid misinterpretations, especially when you’re dealing with sensitive data like heart exams.

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