Transcription rules

If it is an approximate age, spell it out.
Use numerals to express size and measurements.
Use numerals for everything metric. Centimeters, millimeters, liters, etc.
Use numerals in all expressions pertaining to drugs - this includes strength, dosage and directions. Z-PAK 2 daily on day 1, then 1 daily on days 2-5.
Spell out and hyphenate fractions standing alone. He drank one-half a gallon of apple juice.
Use numerals to express mixed fractions. 1 1/2 years.
Use commas only if there are 5 or more digits when expressing numbers. e.g. 10,000, 4000.
Use numerals when expressing vital statistics including height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and respiration.
Substitute a hyphen for the word "to". He is to take 1-2 tablets of Tylenol every 4-6 hours p.r.n.
Leave a space between numerals and measurements unless they form a compound modifier. It is 6 cm below the ...... It is 1200 ml....... A 4-cm nevus....... A 2 x 2-mm lesion.......
Always use 0 in front of the decimal point if the number is not a whole number. 0.75 mg
Use decimal fractions with metric measurements. 1.5 cm
Use mixed fractions with English system measurements. 1 1/2 inch
Use numerals for: Ages, units of measure, vital statistics, lab values and in other instances where it is important to communicate clearly the number referenced. Examples: 4 inches, 3-year-old. She has three dogs who have eight fleas each. A total of 7 basal cell carcinomas removed from his left arm. (7 for clarity)

Do not start a sentence using a number. Spell out the number or recast the sentence.
Dictated as: 10 milligrams of Reglan was administered stat. Transcribe as: Reglan 10 mg was administered stat.
Exception - It is acceptable to begin a sentence with a date. Example - 2000 is going to be a prosperous year.

Plurals - do not use an apostrophe to form plural numbers.
4 x 4s
She was in her 20s or twenties (this is acceptable because it is not a definite number).
She was born in the 1970s.

Series of numbers - Use numerals if at least one is greater than nine or if there is a mixed or decimal fraction.
Example - Jeff has 1 job, 1 place of employment and 18 hours a day to do the work.

Cranial nerves - Preferred: Roman numerals I-XII
Diabetes type 1 and type 2, not Roman numerals I and II - this was recently standardized by the American Diabetes Association.
Apgar scores - Use numerals for ratings and spell out numbers relating to minutes. Rationale - to draw attention to the scores. Example: The Apgar scores were 6 and 9 at one and five minutes. Apgar is not an acronym.