AF Form 2700: Radiographic Film Envelope (Orange) Guide – The AF Form 2700, known as the Radiographic Film Envelope (Orange), serves as the standard physical storage and filing solution for hard-copy (non-digital) radiographic films in U.S. Air Force Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs). Although the Air Force has shifted toward digital imaging and teleradiology, hard-copy films still require secure, standardized handling for archiving, loaning, transfer, and patient record integration.
This orange envelope ensures proper identification, protection, and organization of X-ray films within the military health system.
What Is AF Form 2700?
AF Form 2700 is a specialized heavy-duty paper envelope designed specifically for storing and filing developed radiographic films (X-rays). It is colored orange to distinguish it within a color-coded series of radiographic film envelopes used in Air Force medical records management.
Related color-coded envelopes in the series include:
- AF Form 2701 (Green)
- AF Form 2702 (Yellow)
- AF Form 2703 (Gray)
- And others up to AF Form 2709 (Red)
A companion form, AF Form 2700L (Year List Label), provides adhesive labels (8 per sheet) for marking the AF Form 2700 and related record series (such as AF 788 or AF 2100B) with year information for easy filing and retrieval.
Official downloads (PDF and EPUB formats) are available through the Air Force e-Publishing portal:
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/etc/physical.pdf and https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/etc/physical.epub.
Purpose and Use in Air Force Radiology Services
According to AFI 44-102, Medical Care Management (17 March 2015, Certified Current 22 April 2020), all hard-copy radiographs taken in or forwarded to an Air Force MTF must be filed in the AF Form 2700 Radiographic Film Envelope. Dental radiographs follow separate guidance under AFI 47-101.
Key purposes include:
- Secure storage and protection — Shields films from light, dust, moisture, and physical damage.
- Organization and accountability — Enables systematic filing in medical records departments.
- Loan and transfer support — Facilitates temporary loans or permanent transfers between MTFs while maintaining chain of custody.
- Integration with patient records — Supports the Outpatient Health Record or electronic health record systems when hard copies are involved.
The instruction emphasizes that digital archiving reduces reliance on physical films, but when hard copies exist, they must use the standardized AF Form 2700 for consistency across the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS).
Procedures for Handling AF Form 2700 Envelopes
Filing Hard-Copy Radiographs (AFI 44-102, Section 7.1):
- Place all non-digital radiographs into the orange AF Form 2700 envelope.
- Label clearly with patient information, date, and exam details (use AF Form 2700L year labels where applicable).
- Store in designated film filing areas or cabinets designed for heavy medical records.
Film Loaning and Transfer (Section 7.5):
- For temporary loans: Use AF Form 614 (Charge Out Record) in place of the original envelope or follow electronic tracking.
- For permanent transfers to another MTF: Retire the original envelope (or AF Form 614) and transfer the films. The receiving facility then files them in a new AF Form 2700.
- Special rules apply to mammography films, which patients may hand-carry under provider orders in certain cases.
Additional Guidelines:
- Radiology technicians and medical records staff follow local training and verification processes.
- Critical results communication and report completion follow American College of Radiology (ACR) and The Joint Commission standards.
- Contract personnel X-ray films integrate into employment or patient records per agreements.
Proper use of the AF Form 2700 helps maintain compliance with health record standards, patient safety, and regulatory requirements from DoD, TJC, and AAAHC.
Why the Orange Envelope Matters in Modern Air Force Medicine?
While many facilities now rely on Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and teleradiology for remote interpretation, legacy hard-copy films and certain specialized exams still require physical envelopes. The color-coded system (with orange for AF Form 2700) streamlines identification in large medical records libraries and supports efficient retrieval during patient transfers, deployments, or continuity of care.
Using the correct envelope also supports audit readiness and protects sensitive patient imaging data under privacy and security regulations.
How to Obtain and Use AF Form 2700
- Download the form — Access official versions via the links provided above or through the Air Force e-Publishing website (e-publishing.af.mil).
- Order physical stock — Medical logistics or forms management personnel at your MTF can request supplies through standard channels.
- Label properly — Apply patient identifiers, exam date, and year labels before inserting films to avoid pressure marks.
- Follow local MTF policy — Supplement AFI 44-102 with facility-specific procedures for filing, sign-out, and destruction/retirement of old records.
Note: Always verify the latest version of AFI 44-102 and related publications on the official e-Publishing site, as policies can be updated.
Conclusion
The AF Form 2700 Radiographic Film Envelope (Orange) remains a vital tool in the U.S. Air Force medical records ecosystem for handling hard-copy radiographs. It supports secure storage, accurate filing, and seamless transfer of imaging records across MTFs, contributing to high-quality patient care even as digital systems expand.
For Air Force medical, radiology, and health records personnel, mastering the use of AF Form 2700 ensures compliance with AFI 44-102 and maintains the integrity of diagnostic imaging archives.
Keywords: AF Form 2700, Radiographic Film Envelope Orange, Air Force medical forms, AFI 44-102 radiology, hard copy X-ray filing, Air Force MTF film transfer, AF Form 2700L.
This article is for informational purposes and is based on official Air Force publications. Always consult the most current version of AFI 44-102 and your local MTF guidance for operational use.