Scan/Acquire

[kpratt]

Attachments:

When trying to import an attachment on a patient's clipboard, I am usin the scan/acquire button.  When I do, the attachment is always in .bmp format even though my scanner settings are for either a .pdf or .tiff.  I recently had to switch computers and reinstall my print driver.  I didn't have this issue before switching computers.  How can I switch the format on scanned documents when scanning from within PracticeWorks?  I don't have any issues changing formats when scanning outside of PracticeWorks.

[cltdentalpro]

It's been 4 years since this topic was created. Is PW now able to scan a PDF directly from the scanner? All modern software uses PDF for attachments. BMPs are inefficient and outdated.

[jdowner · Accepted solution]

Hello Kristy

With the way PracticeWorks is currently designed, scanning directly into the software, either through the attachments, or the old method of storing in the images section, will scan in as a .bmp file.  It is the only format currently available inside of PracticeWorks for scanning.  However, if you want to scan as a .tiff or .pdf  you would need to scan outside of PracticeWorks and then import that file into the attachments section for the patient.

-Johnathan

[kpratt]

Johnathan,

It doesn't make a lot of sense to scan in .bmp. Most people use .pdf or for our case .tiff or jpeg is used for NEA attachments. Is it possible to change the .bmp?

[jdowner]

Kristy,

As it is right now, we do not have the ability to make it use anything other then .bmp, or sometimes .cmp depending on the scanner, when you scan directly into the PracticeWorks software.  It is a proposed change for development to work on though, so they are aware of the issue and it is considered a defect. However, there isn't a current time frame on when this change will occur.

For now, we can only suggest scanning outside of PracticeWorks to get the desired formats and then import them into the attachments or image section for the patient.

[joedindo]

Understood but I think it would be an important change to include formats (especially PDF) if you want the attachments module to be used more and more effectively.  Think about how much comes in via PDF such as e-fax or email attachments.  It's simply impractical for PW not to be able to scan & store in that format.  Meanwhile, we will continue to do so outside of PW but that's only more work and more cumbersome...