Home Forums Discussions Problems Scanning docs - pdf vs gif

I finally got our scanner working today and diligently started scanning everything (labs, registration, insurance cards, health hx, etc) into pdf files. However when I went to import them into AC, I got a message warning me that the files were too large and I would be better with them as gifs (ie, smaller file sizes). What file format are you using for scanning files?

BTW, if it matters we are using a networed Brother printer/scanner/copier with PaperPort 9.

Thanks,

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
Aberdeen, WA

FYI, Same type of Question...we have a mega all in one, the HP9120 which is also networked...suggestions, advice, file types and sizing and all the rest???? Thanks...
Paul & Nancy

We started scanning in pdf format, but like you found the files were large. Also, unless you have Acrobat, you cannot annotate or change the scanned files easily.

We changed to tif format, and lowered the scan quality a little so that the forms are still easily readable, but smaller. Also, we can annotate the tif files, (add comments, highlight words or lines) w/ the windows document reader.

Even so, the import file becomes humungous (now w/ about 1700 charts scanned). The offsite backup service cannot handle the imported files, so we burn them to a CD every few days and do not try to back them up offsite (there is a box to check on offsite backup to do this)

Thanks for your advice. When you scan in a bunch of stuff, one file can be a multipage document, like old chart (old doc forwarded to us) Old labs and so on?? Can you give an est on how big these get, data size per page or let's say every ten pages?? I gather you do one pt at a time now from the import sec of the pt's chart, right?
We were thinking about setting up word or pdf template documents for our permission and privacy forms and stuff and trying to use the tablet PC's for the patients to sign and not have to print and scan these things. Do other folks have suggestions on how to best set this up and easily do it on a regular basis. The less number of procedures the better (easier on staff compliance) Thanks much....
Paul

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon here on the WA Coast and here I am trying to figure out the best way to scan documents into AC.

If I scan in as a jpg or tif file, even a multi-page document becomes several individual files. Yes, they are smaller, and the compressed tifs are smallest yet. In addition to the individual files though, it does not allow me to look at the document within AC...it wants to download and open the file in another program. Any ideas about this? (VTWilson - what are you using to annotate the tif docs with?)

PDF documents scan nicely, they open within AC and I can have page 1 of 2, 2 of 2 etc. It's just AC is telling me I may want to use a smaller file. I even took the resolution down to 100px, again without change in file size.

Our office has been open 4 weeks now and I really want to get everything scanned in so I can get rid of the paper that is accumulating. I'd love some guidance on this.

Thanks,

Barbara

When I scan multi-page docoment to tiff, it creates one multi-page tiff file.
When I open it from inside Amazing Charts, it opens with Microsoft Office Document Imaging, which allows me to browse the pages similar to pdf file.

I've noticed several comments in this and other threads about copying scanned documents or charts to CD. Since a DVD holds more data, is there a compelling reason that no one is using a DVD? They do come in write once-read many formats.

Thanks....I found this. And it's better to do the compressed multi-page document - much smaller. I had wanted to just keep it all within AC without opening an "outside" program in order to read the pages.

Funny you should mention this. I was just wondering about this and thought it would be good for old records (even those with EMR print it off on paper to send to you - I look forward to when we can share records digitally!). The only issue is that we would not be able to access data from work stations. I've also thought of using one of the external drives (purchased for back up) to hold old records. I'm not sure that it's necessary or desirable to import reams of old documents into AC.

Barbara

We've been really dreading the idea of scanning in the entire old paper files into AC. The "Archive to CD/DVD" just seemed like a good idea. Though we would need to make some type of summary for starting the chart.

I found the most econmic way to keep imported items
I save some of them in html format
I copy reports/consults from hospital EMR and paste them as html into my imported items
I have to create a letter first, then paste reports into the letter, then I print this letter to pdf, and as a result the letter is saved into imported items, then I rename the letter and move it to the corresponding folder
It is sort of time consuming, but these html files are 10 times smaller than B&W 150dpi compressed tiff files.
you can't make multi-page documents like that