Transcribing Percentages
The symbol for percent is % and it is used extensively in transcription . There are certain guidelines for use of this symbol though not very different from what we are usually used to.
The symbol % is used immediately following the Arabic numeral if it occurs in between the sentence.
For example:
The ejection fraction was 40%.
If the sentence starts with the percentage, both the numeral and the symbol have to be spelled out.
For example:
Forty percent ejection fraction is too great a risk for a patient with respiratory disorder.
When describing the range of percentages, the % symbol is to be used with each value.
For example:
The carotid Doppler ultrasound showed 40% to 50% proximal stenosis. It is wrong to transcribe it as 40 to 50% proximal stenosis.
If the percentage value is less than 1, 0 has to be placed before the decimal point.
For example:
0.5% Xylocaine is correct while .5% Xylocaine is wrong.
When the percentage value is a whole number, there is no need to add decimal or 0 after it.
For example:
20% of red blood cells showed rings and not 20.0% of red …