AutoSCAN provides Electronic Pathology and Radiology Document Storage. AutoScan is software designed specifically to make the electronic storage and retrieval of Pathology and Radiology Request Forms as easy, cost effective and reliable as possible.

HOW AUTOSCAN STORES FILES

Easy Scanning and Barcode Recognition
AutoSCAN scans bundles of request forms of different shapes and sizes with the click of a mouse. AutoSCAN automatically adjusts the image size to minimise storage requirements.

Barcodes are automatically detected in the scanned image and documents are stored according to these detected numbers. Multiple images can be stored for each episode. When multiple documents are scanned under the same barcode number, AutoSCAN automatically groups the images.

Instant Access and Permanent Storage
AutoSCAN writes a permanent copy of images onto a CD within moments of scanning. At the same time, an on-line copy is made available for instant retrieval. Literally millions of images can be stored on-line depending on storage space.

Multiple Sites, Multiple Scanners or Fax Machines
Support for multiple scanners is inherent in the software. AutoSCAN in "Remote Scanner" mode allows a satellite offices to return images to a central store via the WAN while keeping local cache of images for rapid retrieval. Collection centres can also fax documents direct into the system with the "Fax-in" option. Image centralisation allows satellite offices and Head Office to have access to all the scanned documents throughout the organisation.

Colour Photography
AutoSCAN will also accept colour photography. You can associate gross specimen or microscopic photography with a patient episode number allowing instant access at reporting time.

Reference Documentation and Archiving
Commonly used reference materials can also be stored using AutoSCAN. Materials Safety Data Sheets, laboratory protocols, package inserts etc can be made available on-line for easy reference. AutoSCAN can been used to archive paper files to electronic format.

LIS/RIS Integration
AutoSCAN will notifiy the LIS/RIS system as episode numbers are scanned. This information can be used within the LIS/RIS system to ensure that all episodes have a corresponding image. The name of the CD on which each image is stored is also transmitted allowing the LIS/RIS to integrate image information with the Patient record.

DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL

The features of the AutoSCAN system make it easy to store documents. Equally important is the ability to retrieve a specific image when it is needed. Easy scanning is backed up with easy retrieval in AutoSCAN.

Single Keystroke
The image retrieval program CReq ("See Request") interacts with the Laboratory or Radiology information system. It can do this either directly or by communicating with emulation software. This interaction gives instant, single keystroke access to all images in the patient episode. All images are also accessible via a Web interface.

Fast access
Retrieval is fast on the local LAN. With today's base-line PCs, most images are visible instantly. Even "pre-Pentium" class PCs will display most images in 2-5 seconds.

Large Display, friendly controls
CReq always displays images at the maximum available screen size. Zoom, scroll, rotate and print functions are supported without the need to use the mouse. All features, including "Return to LIS/RIS", are available via the keyboard.

Finds the images for you
CReq supports multiple image servers. This allows CReq to hunt for an image on different servers located anywhere on the WAN without the user needing to know where an image is stored.

Many image formats supported
CReq supports a large number of image formats including: BMP, JPG, GIF, TIF, PCX, PNG, TGA and PCD.

Reliable and Cost Effective
The AutoSCAN system is a robust, reliable and cost-effective system based on the Microsoft Windows NTFS file structure. Because many practices already have WindowsNT/2000 systems in place, there is little or no outlay for storage. There is no need for expensive database system traditionally used in Electronic Document Storage systems. As file security, integrity and reliability have improved, the NTFS file structure has become a secure and stable platform. For this reason, users of the AutoSCAN System enjoy practically 100% uptime.

Off-the-shelf hardware
AutoSCAN requires only off-the-shelf, base hardware. Minimum recommended hardware for a single installation at a small (500 episode/day) practice is:

• Pentium III 1GHz Win2Kpro/WinXP PC fitted with CD-RW drive, 128MB RAM and SCSI interface card and 20GB HDD.
• Canon DR-3060 Scanner.
  
  A Windows 2000 or later Server with 20-40GB of storage space would also be highly desirable.
  

ADVANTAGES OF USING ELECTRONIC STORAGE

Adopting an electronic storage system has a range of clinical, quality of service, legal, time and cost saving advantages for a Pathology or Radiology practice. These include:

Instant access to the request form by the scientist gives greater accuracy in reporting because:

• Request entry staff do not always accurately transcribe the clinical notes or the tests requested;
• Access to historical requests may provide a better picture of the case history.

Time is saved in many areas:

• Scientific staff spend more time at the bench and less time trying to locate documentation (either historical or current);
• Data Entry Staff do not need to file paper copies with the same degree of diligence;
• Lab staff can implement more efficient methods which involve less paper handling.

Eliminate paper and storage costs:

• In many instances, photocopying of requests for "in Lab" use can be markedly reduced;
• Because there will be little need for staff to access paper requests, ancillary filing costs such as folders, labels, storage cabinets can be eliminated.