Insert A Colon

When dictating reports, it is easy to confuse the text which should appear in a heading with the text you wish to have appear in the paragraph below the heading.

How do you get things to appear in print the way you wish to have see them? The simple use of a colon can communicate the difference between a heading and a paragraph.

If you dictate:

"Physical examination. Vital signs normal. Blood pressure 160 over 80. Pulse 72. Respirations 20."

You will probably get the following:

"Physical examination reveals vital signs normal, blood pressure 160/80, pulse 72, respirations 20."

However, by dictating:

"Physical examination colon. Vital signs normal. Blood pressure 160 over 80. Pulse 72. Respirations 20."

You will probably get the following:

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:

Vital signs normal. Blood pressure 160/80, pulse 72, respirations 20.

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