Data published in the Medical Transcription Services Organizations (MTSO) report from Orem, Utah-based KLAS indicate that the percentage of MTSOs using offshore transcription services has declined in the past year.

Thirty-five percent of study participants reported using the services, compared to 38 percent in 2007, according to the report, which was developed using input from 400 respondents.

According to KLAS, quality, turnaround time and cost continue to be the main drivers for engagements in this market segment. While each provider organization ultimately determines the value of each of these variables, the market itself is changing, says the org, adding that healthcare providers are faced with growing dictation volumes, a shrinking transcription labor force, and rising costs due to the influx of new technologies being introduced to hospitals.