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This article explains how to use the Barcode Scanner Calibration tool to confirm your handheld scanner is programmed correctly for scanning vaccine barcodes into the Document Vaccination form.

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What is the Barcode Scanner Calibration tool?

The Barcode Scanner Calibration tool is a standalone page that checks whether your handheld barcode scanner is sending the data Elation needs to auto-fill vaccine fields. You can open it at any time at: https://app.elationemr.com/utils/barcode-calibrate/ The page:
  • Requires no login.
  • Stores no patient data.
  • Shows live diagnostics for each scan: whether the Group Separator was detected, which terminator was sent, and the parsed NDC, lot number, and expiration date.
  • Displays a raw keystroke log so you can see exactly what your scanner transmits.
Because it uses the same barcode detection and parsing logic as the production Document Vaccination form, a successful calibration scan means scanning will work in the patient chart.

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Why scanner calibration matters

Most vaccine vials use a GS1 DataMatrix barcode that combines several values (NDC, lot number, expiration date) into one code. A hidden Group Separator (GS) character marks where one field ends and the next begins. For Elation to read the barcode, your scanner must be programmed to:
  • Transmit the Group Separator (GS) between fields, and
  • End each scan with a terminator (Enter or Tab).
If the scanner does not send these, Elation cannot parse the barcode, and the vaccine, lot, and expiration fields may not fill in. The calibration tool lets you confirm this setup outside of a live patient encounter, instead of troubleshooting by trial and error in a real chart.

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How to calibrate your scanner

1

Open the calibration page

Go to https://app.elationemr.com/utils/barcode-calibrate/ in your browser. No login is required.
2

Keep the browser window focused

Make sure the calibration page is the active, focused window before you scan. The tool reads keystrokes from your scanner, so the scan must land on this page.
3

Scan the reference barcode

Scan the on-screen reference barcode, or scan any GS1 DataMatrix barcode from a vaccine vial.
4

Review the results

Confirm that the page shows:
  • GS detected (the Group Separator was transmitted)
  • A terminator (Enter or Tab)
  • Correct parsed NDC, Lot #, and Expiration Date
If all three are correct, your scanner is ready to use with the Document Vaccination form.

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Troubleshooting scanner calibration

If a calibration scan does not show the expected results, work through the following steps in order.
1

Confirm the page is focused and the scanner is connected

Make sure the calibration page is the active browser window, and that your scanner is connected, powered on, and set to keyboard (HID / keyboard wedge) mode. If nothing appears in the keystroke log when you scan, this is usually the cause. Then scan again.
2

Confirm you are scanning a 2D GS1 DataMatrix barcode

The vaccine, lot, and expiration values are encoded in a 2D GS1 DataMatrix barcode, not a 1D (linear) barcode. If the values parse incorrectly or only partially, confirm you are scanning the 2D DataMatrix code on the vial.
3

Enable Group Separator transmission

If the page does not show GS detected, your scanner is not transmitting the Group Separator. Reprogram the scanner using the manufacturer’s settings for GS1 DataMatrix output. This setting is often labeled “transmit GS,” “transmit function codes / AIM ID,” or “Group Separator.” Then scan again.
4

Add a scan terminator

If no terminator is detected, configure your scanner to add a suffix of Enter (carriage return) or Tab after each scan. This is usually found under the scanner’s “suffix” or “terminator” configuration. Then scan again.
5

Contact Support if the issue persists

If scans still fail after confirming the settings above, contact Elation Support via the I need help button in the blue navigation bar. When reaching out, include the make and model of your scanner and a description of what the calibration page shows (for example, “terminator detected but GS missing”).