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Reading Protocol Overview

Introduction

Reading protocols are a set of instructions for how to display a study. You can change these instructions through the reading protocol editor or by updating dynamic reading protocols.

Note:

You cannot add a non-DICOM image to a reading protocol.

A reading protocol controls the following:

The display format and sequence of images and series within studies on Synapse workstations
The number of images or series on a monitor, the monitor layout, including comparison and prior studies
The sequence display of multiple layouts
The presets used for initial display

Reading Protocol Selection Process

Synapse automatically selects a reading protocol based on the modality type, procedure code, or DICOM header information, depending on the type of reading protocol. If this information is not correct, the expected protocol might not be used. Synapse provides mixed modality reading protocols for all supported modalities such as PT and CT.

Reading Protocol Types

Synapse includes the following types of reading protocols:

Factory reading protocols
- Everyone can see and use these reading protocols.

No one can delete these reading protocols.
Exception: The System Administrator can delete MG reading protocols.

Dynamic reading protocols
- Everyone can see and use dynamic reading protocols.
- No one can delete dynamic reading protocols.
- A user can update their dynamic reading protocol settings.
- Synapse uses dynamic reading protocols if no other reading protocol matches.
System reading protocols
- Everyone can see and use these reading protocols.
- The System Administrator can delete these reading protocols.
- A user with the appropriate privilege can create system reading protocols.
User reading protocols
- Only the user who created the reading protocol can use or delete the reading protocol.
- The System Administrator can delete user reading protocols.

Reading Protocol Elements

A reading protocol might contain all or some the following elements:

Number of images or series on a monitor (page layout)
Viewport properties:
- Tile Format
- Apply Tools To (Apply to All Images or Apply to Selected Images)
- Image Justification (left, right, or center)
- Text overlay
- Image preset
- Quadrant (MG only)
- Image Orientation (see
- Contrast
- View Code (MG only)
Prior (comparison) studies if available
Reading protocol steps
Rules Target (See Using the Reading Protocol Editor)

Selection Process

Synapse automatically selects a reading protocol based on the following:

Modality type
Series description and number of series for the series match protocols
Stacking identifier for MG stacking
Number of studies
Number of monitors as configured in User Settings

Note:

If the modality type or series description is incorrect, the expected protocol might not be used.
Reading protocols and procedure codes must be on the home data source for reading protocol matching.

Factory Reading Protocols

Synapse includes factory reading protocols with your workstation. If a study does not meet any of the criteria of the factory reading protocols, Synapse uses a dynamic reading protocol to display the study.

Synapse stores factory reading protocols in the Synapse database.

Reading Protocol Configurations

Near Match Selection Overview

Configuring MG Near Match

Configuring Auto Compare

Configuring Your Browser for Reading Protocol Export