Protocol Code

A Protocol is a specification of actions prescribed by a Procedure Plan to perform a specific Procedure Step. A Scheduled Procedure Step contains only one Protocol that may be conveyed by one or more Protocol Codes. Typically, the code or codes identifying Protocol instance would be selected from a catalog of protocols established locally or provided by equipment manufacturers or professional organizations. Multiple Protocols may not exist in one Scheduled Procedure Step. See DICOM Standard Part 3 for further details on DICOM Attribute (0040,0008) that conveys information identical to components one through three of this field.