| Tag | (0018,990E) |
|---|---|
| Type | Optional (3) |
| Keyword | PredecessorProtocolSequence |
| Value Multiplicity | 1 |
| Value Representation | Sequence (SQ) |
Defined or Performed Procedure Protocol Instances from which this Defined Procedure Protocol was derived.
See Section C.34.2.1.
This Attribute is not present in Performed Procedure Protocol Instances since the Referenced Defined Protocol Sequence (0018,990C) is used instead.
One or more Items are permitted in this Sequence.
A Protocol may be a derivation of another Protocol (the "predecessor"). For example, a Protocol may be originally published as a non-model-specific Protocol for a certain purpose. Subsequently, a new Protocol may be derived from the original by making it specific to a certain model of scanner. Derivation may involve adjusting constraints or specifying additional constraints. If a Protocol no longer satisfies any of the indications of the Predecessor Protocol from which it was derived, the Predecessor shall not be referenced in this Sequence.
Including predecessor information makes it possible to filter a set of Protocols, for example to list all Protocols that are derived versions of a certain known Protocol (e.g., ACRIN 6678), or list only the one that has been specialized for a specific model of equipment.
Sites that receive a generic Protocol might create a specialized variant to fit their local practice and avoid the tech having to make selections/changes each time it is used.
Only the immediate predecessor shall be referenced, but more than one predecessor may be referenced if multiple distinct predecessors were merged.