EDCO | Document Scanning, Imaging, and Conversion Glossary

Digital Imaging/Scanning

Film-Based Imaging/Microfilm

Storage

Glossary – Digital Imaging/Scanning

AccuSure® Process – part of EDCO’s error-free process whereby we verify all charts sent from the hospital and verify that all images associated with those charts are returned to the hospital (front-end and back-end view of all charts being archived).
ANSI – American National Standards Institute – a non-government organization that sets standards in the United States for voluntary use. EDCO exceeds ANSI standards for microfilm processing.
Architecture – refers to the way a system (computer, software, network) is designed and the components are connected with each other. Open architecture means the system is non-proprietary and readily connects to other standard devices. See Non-proprietary and Proprietary.
ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange – basic coding method to convert letters, numbers, punctuation, and control codes into digital form (sequence of 1s and 0s) so that it can be understood by other computers.
Bar code – a series of machine-readable lines of varying width. It is used to capture indexing information.
Brightness – the balance or contrast of light and dark shades in an image. Colored paper can produce different brightness levels in an image.
Condition of records – refers to the variation in size and color of paper records, number of folded or stapled pages, and the number of pages per chart. These can impact processing speed and quality.
CD, CD-R – we use this term to refer to the 4 ¾” read-only compact disc (CD-ROM). CDs are faster and more accurate than magnetic tape. They are accessed by a laser-based reader and hold just over 600 megabytes of data. CDs, DVDs, and 12” laser (video) discs are forms of Optical Discs.
Data Linking™ Process – EDCO’s process of linking the hospital's MPI to the archived records (microfilm or digital).
Density – the degree of darkness in an image. Also the percent of screen used in an image. Colored paper or inks can produce different densities in an image.
Digital Images or Electronic Images – computer-readable because the data has been turned into binary code (sequence of 1s and 0s). The opposite of Analog. See Analog.
Error-Free Process – we have instituted procedures including AccuSure®, BlurGuard™, and Data Linking™ that eliminate all possible errors.
File Room Analysis – A process unique to EDCO that is performed with departments by EDCO’s document specialists. The purpose is two-fold – (1) find creative solutions that best fit your needs and (2) clearly define the project and price. This may include Shelving Analysis, Consistency of Digits, Sample Pull, File Room Profile, Image Cross-reference, Annual Growth Rate of Documents, and Condition of Records.
Image – the picture of one side of a single paper document page.
Imaging – document imaging converts paper or film into digital image files to be read by special software in the computer for viewing, transferring or storing.
Migration or Data Migration – the process of updating or converting digital data every few years to keep up with software and hardware changes. Errors and omission can occur.
Non-proprietary images – can be transferred from one software system to another because it was not customized to one specific vendor. This is also known as open architecture. Also see Architecture.
Page – two images (front and back).
Proprietary images – cannot be transferred from one software system to another because the vendor customized it. This is also referred to as closed architecture. Also see Architecture.
Purge – the process of separating records for conversion and storage from active records.
Readability – the degree to which an image is clear when viewed on screen.
Scan – convert human-readable images (paper or microfilm) into computer-readable code (digital or electronic images). See Digital or Electronic Images.
TIFF image – Tagged Image File Format – a non-proprietary electronic image (picture) that most imaging software can read in the computer. It can be saved to a hard drive, floppy, tape or other computer system for transfer or back up. See Non-proprietary images.

Glossary – Film-Based Imaging/Microfilm

Acetate-based film – used in microfilm production. Meets ANSI safety standards. See ANSI.
AIIM – Association of Information and Image Management – professional organization for micrographics, optical disc and electronic image management.
Analog – means “similar to”. Film is analog because it is a record or picture that has not been digitized. Analog is the opposite of Digital. A Reader-Printer is an analog viewer compared to a Computer that is a digital viewer. See Digital Images.
Blip – a mark that identifies the image’s location (address) and is used for counting by the reader-printer or microfilm scanner. When tied to an index, the computer can automate the retrieval process.
BlurGuard™ Protection – a special physical adjustment made to the conversion station that holds the record in place and eliminates the potential for blurred images.
CAR system – Computer Assisted Retrieval – relies on a computer index and cross-index pre-assigned to the microfilm to locate a record on a roll. Using a Reader-Printer, it automates printing.
Cartridge – a roll of microfilm inserted into a plastic, self-loading case.
Jackets – film strips inserted into Mylar channels. Also referred to as Microfiche.
Microfiche – film strips inserted into Mylar channels. Also referred to as Jackets.

Glossary – Storage

Storage Unit – a standard measurement used for calculating capacity and costs.












		Digital Imaging/Scanning Film-Based Imaging/Microfilm Storage Glossary – Digital Imaging/Scanning AccuSure® Process – part of EDCO’s error-free process whereby we verify all charts sent from the hospital and verify that all images associated with those charts are returned to the hospital (front-end and back-end view of all charts being archived). ANSI – American National Standards Institute – a non-government organization that sets standards in the United States for voluntary use. EDCO exceeds ANSI standards for microfilm processing. Architecture – refers to the way a system (computer, software, network) is designed and the components are connected with each other. Open architecture means the system is non-proprietary and readily connects to other standard devices. See Non-proprietary and Proprietary. ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange – basic coding method to convert letters, numbers, punctuation, and control codes into digital form (sequence of 1s and 0s) so that it can be understood by other computers. Bar code – a series of machine-readable lines of varying width. It is used to capture indexing information. Brightness – the balance or contrast of light and dark shades in an image. Colored paper can produce different brightness levels in an image. Condition of records – refers to the variation in size and color of paper records, number of folded or stapled pages, and the number of pages per chart. These can impact processing speed and quality. CD, CD-R – we use this term to refer to the 4 ¾” read-only compact disc (CD-ROM). CDs are faster and more accurate than magnetic tape. They are accessed by a laser-based reader and hold just over 600 megabytes of data. CDs, DVDs, and 12” laser (video) discs are forms of Optical Discs. Data Linking™ Process – EDCO’s process of linking the hospital's MPI to the archived records (microfilm or digital). Density – the degree of darkness in an image. Also the percent of screen used in an image. Colored paper or inks can produce different densities in an image. Digital Images or Electronic Images – computer-readable because the data has been turned into binary code (sequence of 1s and 0s). The opposite of Analog. See Analog. Error-Free Process – we have instituted procedures including AccuSure®, BlurGuard™, and Data Linking™ that eliminate all possible errors. File Room Analysis – A process unique to EDCO that is performed with departments by EDCO’s document specialists. The purpose is two-fold – (1) find creative solutions that best fit your needs and (2) clearly define the project and price. This may include Shelving Analysis, Consistency of Digits, Sample Pull, File Room Profile, Image Cross-reference, Annual Growth Rate of Documents, and Condition of Records. Image – the picture of one side of a single paper document page. Imaging – document imaging converts paper or film into digital image files to be read by special software in the computer for viewing, transferring or storing. Migration or Data Migration – the process of updating or converting digital data every few years to keep up with software and hardware changes. Errors and omission can occur. Non-proprietary images – can be transferred from one software system to another because it was not customized to one specific vendor. This is also known as open architecture. Also see Architecture. Page – two images (front and back). Proprietary images – cannot be transferred from one software system to another because the vendor customized it. This is also referred to as closed architecture. Also see Architecture. Purge – the process of separating records for conversion and storage from active records. Readability – the degree to which an image is clear when viewed on screen. Scan – convert human-readable images (paper or microfilm) into computer-readable code (digital or electronic images). See Digital or Electronic Images. TIFF image – Tagged Image File Format – a non-proprietary electronic image (picture) that most imaging software can read in the computer. It can be saved to a hard drive, floppy, tape or other computer system for transfer or back up. See Non-proprietary images. Glossary – Film-Based Imaging/Microfilm Acetate-based film – used in microfilm production. Meets ANSI safety standards. See ANSI. AIIM – Association of Information and Image Management – professional organization for micrographics, optical disc and electronic image management. Analog – means “similar to”. Film is analog because it is a record or picture that has not been digitized. Analog is the opposite of Digital. A Reader-Printer is an analog viewer compared to a Computer that is a digital viewer. See Digital Images. Blip – a mark that identifies the image’s location (address) and is used for counting by the reader-printer or microfilm scanner. When tied to an index, the computer can automate the retrieval process. BlurGuard™ Protection – a special physical adjustment made to the conversion station that holds the record in place and eliminates the potential for blurred images. CAR system – Computer Assisted Retrieval – relies on a computer index and cross-index pre-assigned to the microfilm to locate a record on a roll. Using a Reader-Printer, it automates printing. Cartridge – a roll of microfilm inserted into a plastic, self-loading case. Jackets – film strips inserted into Mylar channels. Also referred to as Microfiche. Microfiche – film strips inserted into Mylar channels. Also referred to as Jackets. Glossary – Storage Storage Unit – a standard measurement used for calculating capacity and costs. Contact EDCO at 1-800-999-3456 or email us at info@edcogroupinc.com © EDCO-The Document People® 2006