With ScanForm, handwriting on paper is transcribed into digital data with a single smartphone photo, saving time and eliminating human errors. Once the photo is uploaded, artificial intelligence (AI) extracts all information to auto-calculate custom summary statistics and visual analytics in seconds.
How it works
From Paper to Digital in Seconds
ScanForm Advantages
Without ScanForm, partners can spend 30-40% of their budgets on data extraction and typing alone. In one example country from Sub-Saharan Africa, over 25K USD is spent each month for every 50 facilities, amounting to many millions per year at national scale.
Time + Money Saved with AI
Eliminate manual data entry, because handwriting is auto-transcribed
Eliminate physical source data verification, because an image of each form is captured and accessible digitally
Reduce M&E costs with fully automated DQAs, because missing pages, timeliness, completeness and accuracy are monitored with each image upload
Accurate + Expedient Analytics
Self-learning OCR > 98%, calibrated to local handwriting
Real-time summaries and data quality reports
- Automatic imputation corrects logic errors and missing data
Scalability + Simplicity
No need for stable electricity, scanners, computers, or tablets. Works offline and uploads when network is available.
- Pen and paper are easier to use than tablets or computers
Broadly deployable in communities
Compliance + Security
- Fully compliant with GDPR
- Auto-redaction of personal identifiable information
- Auto-deletion of images after upload
- No physical removal of forms
Use Cases
Applications
HIV/AIDS, malaria, COVID-19, antimalarial treatments, spatial repellent and LLIN performance, influenza vaccine delivery, household surveys, county censuses, legal defense forms, crop surveys, school attendance…
…any information collected on paper that needs to be analyzed quickly and correctly is suitable for ScanForm.
Problem: how to collect data at scale, in environments with limited infrastructure?
Paper is used everywhere but inaccuracies accumulate
- Manual ferrying, transcription and summarization
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- Cascade of inaccuracies and incompleteness from human errors
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- Delays from data collection to database reporting
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All-electronic data collection is infeasible in many places
In sub-Saharan Africa, ~600 million people lack access to electricity. This produces disparities in network connectivity and digital literacy.
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems play a critical role in making public health data available at digital speed. However, EMRs are not universally implemented, with many facilities still relying on paper-based data collection.
For facilities without EMRs, ScanForm is a smart and sustainable solution
As a data system, ScanForm can function independently or as a transition platform for countries scaling up their information technology infrastructure. Once ready, ScanForm data can integrate harmoniously with EMRs to achieve a complete picture of health from electronic and paper-based data.
At facilities with EMRs, power and network outages force a return to paper
Unreliable infrastructure causes recurring challenges for overburdened healthcare workers by creating a reporting backlog. Using ScanForm as a backup strengthens national eHealth strategies for a holistic digital health data system.
Learn more
ScanForm: Scalable Data Collection
Feedback from Focus Groups
“The first advantage is in terms of reports. The person who collected the data has no burden of report writing.The other thing is that mistakes are minimized and the transmission of the data is instant.”
“[ScanForm] is going to ease work on data collection and submission because once we have a session with the client and we have filled the details in the ScanForm register ... we simply scan it using the ScanForm technology and once we capture the images in the register, the technology submits the report. Our task is just to scan the images.”
“It was not difficult for me to use the technology, because I learned how to use it and I was able to use it without challenges.”
Our Impact
Patient records processed since 2018 and exponentially growing
Average OCR certainty
More accurate stats compared to manual data collection
Faster data entry compared to tablets
Questions? We’ve got answers!
No more duplicative data reporting.
Higher accuracy and faster analytics from paper, for more confident decision making: that’s ScanForm.
