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 …