Adding Images

Abstract

Capable 21C supports an imaging system that allows scanned images, photos or other visual content to be attached to a patient/client file. This article describes how to attach the images and/or files.

Underlying challenge

The Capable 21C image viewer is embedded in the Visit Notes functionality. When Capable 21C is started, it automatically creates a folder under the database folder called images (eg C:\Capable\Images). Images can be added en-masse into folders beneath that base folder. Images can also be added piecemeal using the functionality within Visit Notes. The sections below describe these two techniques.

Resolution

To add images en-masse:

  • Create a folder beneath the images folder for each patient/client. Ensure that the name of the folder is the same as the case number of the patient/client.
  • Copy the images into the appropriate folders en-masse.
  • Capable 21C will automatically recognize the images in those folders.

To add images individually:

  • The image can be saved anywhere on the computer running Capable 21C.
  • From within the Visit Notes window, on the images tab, click the Add New button.
  • Select the image file. Capable 21C will prompt if the operator wants to delete the file from its original location once it has been copied into Capable 21C’s image folder.

To add images via an attached scanner:

  • If the office scanner is correctly installed with a TWAIN compliant driver, the Acquire Images button can be used from within Visit Notes.  This starts the TWAIN component supplied with the scanner and will automatically attach the image using the setting nominated for the TWAIN driver.

To add images from another software package:

  • If another software package is used to produce images (eg thermographic scans), the following procedure can be used to attach those images:
  • Use the other software package to generate the image on screen.
  • Press ALT-Print Screen to grab a screenshot of the image.
  • Switch to Capable 21C and open the Visit Notes window for the desired patient/client.
  • Switch to the Images tab.
  • Click the Paste Image button.
  • Nominate an appropriate filename for the image.

To nominate an image as the patient's/client's photo:

  • Go to the Visit Notes window.
  • Navigate to the images tab.
  • Ensure that the Generic folder for images is selected (in the lower left corner).
  • Click the button to add images.
  •  Capable 21C only supports photos in the JPG and BMP format. The photo for a patient must have Photo.JPG or Photo.BMP as its filename. Use the file browser to locate and select the file that contains the photo. The patient/client’s photo should now appear automatically whenever the patient/client appears on the treatment area window and all other places where Capable 21C can display the patient's/client's photo.

Detailed Information

The Capable 21C Search For Images feature can also be used to scan for large numbers of image files in varied locations. This is ideal if images are stored in off-line storage (eg writeable CDs).

When Capable 21C searches for images, it searches all subfolders located beneath the target area defined by the operator. In other words, the search tool will ask where the operator would like to search, and it will proceed to search all folders beneath that location.

Capable 21C associates the images with the patient/client files by the name of the folder that they are located within. Capable Software recommends the following folder structure:

C:\Capable (location of the Capable database)

C:\Capable\Letters (location of the Capable Mail merge documents)

C:\Capable\Images (new location which should be created by the office)

C:\Capable\Images\XXXXXX (new location which should be created by the office for case number XXXXXX)

Multiple folders will have to be created beneath C:\Capable\Images… one for each of the patient/client files that requires an attachment.

Once the image and visual content files have been located in folders that are named using the patient/client case numbers, the search tool in the Management Menu will be able to locate them.

DICOM Images

DICOM is an international standard for storing and transmitting medical information including images.  It is not unlike the JPEG standard, but DICOM images are often very large files holding incredibly detailed images.  These files can quickly fill even the largest hard drives, so Capable Software does not recommend attaching native DICOM images to a patient/client file.  If an office uses DICOM images, there are two options to allow DICOM images to work with Capable 21C.

  1. Purchase a DICOM image viewer that is compatible with Microsoft Internet Explorer. This will allow Capable 21C to display the DICOM images in the Patient/Client Detailed Listings window.

or

  1. Export the DICOM images as lower quality (and smaller) JPG images and attach them to the patient/client file using the steps described in the resolution section above.

Option 2 is the recommended option.  It consumes less disk space, and carries no additional cost.  Offices should be aware that lower resolution images will not have the same level of detail as the original DICOM image, and should not be used for pathology assessment.

This knowledge resource is designed for use on a Windows (tm) XP system operating at a screen resolution of 1024x768 or better. Windows Media Player must be installed for this training resource to operate correctly.

Copyright 2008 Capable Software Pty Ltd

Training Sessions

Fundamentals Training Modules

Intermediate Training Modules

Advanced Training Modules

Other Resources

Return to Capable Software home

Contact Technical Support