PACS ADVANCEDadmin.radcanton.com/7GLibrary/pdfs/PA04 - PACS Advanced... · 2015. 3. 5. · The menus in NovaPACS provide your users with the tools to work with studies and study information

PACSADMIN-02-2013 ©Copyright Novarad 2013 1

The purpose of this training module is to provide new and experienced PACS Administrators with information on advanced functions of NovaPACS, customization options, and workflow examples. This training module is divided into the following lessons:

Lesson 1: Advanced Menu Functions

Lesson 2: Hanging Protocols

Lesson 3: Preferences

Lesson 4: Customization

Lesson 5: Common Radiologist Workflow

Lesson 6: Common Technologist Workflow

Lesson 7: Common Admin Functions

PACS ADVANCED

MODULE 1 PA04

Module 1: NovaPACS Advanced

PACSADMIN-02-2013 ©Copyright Novarad 2013 Lesson 1: Advanced Menu Functions 2

Lesson 1: Advanced Menu Functions

At the completion of this lesson, you will be able to do the following:

Understand and use some of the more advanced menu functions in the Study Browser

Understand and use some of the more advanced menu functions in the Image Viewer

The menus in NovaPACS provide your users with the tools to work with studies and study information. In the PACS Basics training course, we focused on some of the basic menu functions that radiologists and technologists use to work in the Study Browser and the Image Viewer. The following sections will provide information on more advanced menu items that your users can leverage in your organization’s workflow to be more productive.

Section 1.1 The File Menu

The Study Browser’s File Menu provides options for your users to open and view DICOM files to view studies that are external to the NovaPACS system.

Your users can use the following functions to locate and open DICOM files to view studies.

Open from Directory… Many times, radiologists will need to view DICOM files from other sources such as a patient CD or files that have been routed to the radiologist’s machine from another server. The Open from Directory function allows your users to locate and open groups of DICOM files from a computer directory or a patient CD/DVD.

Exercise 1.1.1 Opening DICOM Images from a Directory The following exercise will demonstrate how to open a group of DICOM images from a directory using the Open from Directory function.

Step 1. Click on the File menu and select Open from Directory…



The Browse For Folder dialog box will appear.

Step 2. Click on the folder you want to open from and click OK.

The image(s) will open in the Image Viewer.

Open from File…

When your users are interested in viewing a small number of DICOM files from a patient CD/DVD or flash drive, they can use the Open from File function. Your users can locate and open one or multiple DICOM files to open in the Image Viewer.

Exercise 1.1.2 Opening a DICOM Image from File The following exercise will demonstrate how to open a DICOM image from file using the Open from File function.

Step 1. Click on the File menu and select Open from File….



The Open dialog box will appear. Step 2. Locate the DICOM folder on the removable data storage device provided by your instructor (Instructor-led training only).

Step 3. Select the file titled “Tyson Beers Shoulder.dcm” and click Open. The selected image will open in the Image Viewer.



Section 1.2 The Worklist Menu

The Assigned Worklist in the Study Browser provides radiologists with the ability to organize a select list of studies they have assigned to themselves or other users have assigned to them to review. This eliminates the need to search through all studies using the Search tab. The Study Browser’s Worklist Menu contains functions designed to work with the studies on the Assigned Worklist.

The functions available in the Worklist menu depend upon which tab is currently selected (i.e., Search tab, Assigned Worklist tab, and Advanced Worklist tab). For example, the Search and Advanced Worklist tabs contain fewer options on the Worklist menu than the Assigned Worklist tab. The following sections describe the Worklist Menu functions.

Add to Worklist

Radiologists can add studies to their Assigned Worklist to have a specific set of studies to work with and review. This eliminates the need to sort through all available information on the Search tab. The Add to Worklist function allows your users to add studies from the Search tab and Advanced Worklist tabs to their own Assigned Worklist.

Tip: When a study is added to the Assigned Worklist, it will appear in the Filtered Studies list of the Assigned Worklist tab. However, if the study doesn’t match the criteria currently set in the Assigned Worklist’s search fields, it may not be visible. Review your Assigned Worklist search filters if an assigned study is not visible.

Exercise 1.2.1 Adding a Study to the Assigned Worklist The following exercise will demonstrate how to add a study to your Assigned Worklist.

Step 1. Reset your search filters by selecting View Reset Filters.



Step 2. Click on the Time Frame filter and select All.

Step 3. Enter Maria in the First Name field.

Step 4. Locate and click once on Maria Stewart’s study in the Filtered Studies list.

Step 5. Click on the Study Browser’s Worklist Menu and select Add to Worklist.



The Add to Worklist function is only available when using the Search or Advanced Worklist tabs. Users can also use the Add to Worklist function by clicking on the Add to Worklist button on the Filtered Studies or Patient History list toolbars, or by selecting a study, right-clicking, and selecting the Add Selected Studies to My Worklist option.

The study should now appear on your Assigned Worklist tab.

You can hold down the CTRL key and click on multiple studies to add more than one study to your Assigned Worklist.

Step 6. Click on the Assigned Worklist tab to verify that Maria Stewart’s study was added to your worklist. Step 7. Click on the Search tab to prepare for the next exercise.

Assign The Assign function allows your users to assign studies to other users of the system to review.

The Assign function is available when using all tabs. Users can also use the Assign function by clicking on the Assign button, the Filtered Studies list, or by selecting a study (or studies) and right-clicking and selecting the Assign Selected Studies to Another User option.



Exercise 1.2.2 Assigning a Study The following exercise will demonstrate how to assign a study to another user.

Step 1. Reset your search filters by selecting View Reset Filters. Step 2. Click on the Time Frame filter and select All.

Step 3. Enter Maria in the First Name field.

Step 4. Click once on Maria Stewart’s study in the Filtered Studies list.

Step 5. Click on the Study Browser’s Worklist Menu and select Assign.

The Assign Studies from <datasource> dialog box will appear.



You can hold down the CTRL key and click on multiple studies to assign more than one study to another user.

Step 6. Click on the What role is the assignment for? drop-down list and select Radiologists.

Step 7. Select a Radiologist from the drop-down list.

Step 8. Click OK.



Open Worklist Item

After studies have been added to your users’ Assigned Worklists, they can use the Open Worklist Item function to open worklist studies in the Image Viewer.

The Open Worklist Item function is only available when using the Assigned Worklist tab. Users can also open a worklist item by double-clicking it, right-clicking and selecting Open Selected Studies, or clicking the Open button on the Filtered Studies, Patient History, or Series list.

Next Worklist Item

The Next Worklist Item function allows your users to easily navigate to and open the next study from their Assigned Worklist in the Image Viewer. Selecting this function will automatically close all currently opened studies and open the next study from the worklist in the Image Viewer.

The Next Worklist Item function is available when using all tabs.

Remove Worklist Item

If a study is no longer needed on a user’s Assigned Worklist—whether it was added by mistake or the user no longer needs to read the study—it can be removed using the Remove Worklist Item function. Users can hold the CTRL key while selecting patient studies to remove multiple worklist studies at the same time.



The Remove Worklist Item function is only available when using the Assigned Worklist tab. Users can also remove a worklist item by right-clicking and selecting Remove Selected Study, or clicking the Remove button on the Filtered Studies list.

Clear Worklist

The Clear Worklist function allows your users to remove all studies from the Assigned Worklist.

The Clear Worklist function is only available when using the Assigned Worklist tab. Users can also clear the Assigned Worklist by clicking the Clear button on the Filtered Studies list.



Section 1.3 The Study Menu

The Study menu provides your users with tools to work with study-related information and applications. The following sections provide information on some of the more detailed functions on the Study menu.

Documents

Your users can see documents that are associated with the selected patient study using the Documents function. Your users can access documents such as insurance cards and identification, and order-specific documents such as questionnaires. Documents are added and managed in NovaRIS, but are available for your users to view and interact with in NovaPACS using this function.

Documents are only available if your system is integrated with NovaRIS

and documents have been added for the patient.

Exercise 1.3.1 Viewing Documents The following exercise will demonstrate how to view a patient’s documents.


Step 3. Enter Grace in the First Name field.

Step 4. Click once on Grace Flora’s study in the Filtered Studies list.



Step 5. Click on the Study Browser’s Study Menu and select Documents.

The Documents window will open in a new browser window and display any available documents.

The Documents window allows your users to print documents, filter views, and adjust the viewing window, among other functions.

Step 6. Click on the red X in the top right-hand corner of the window to close the Documents window.



Manage Report Workflow

Radiologists can review and/or sign reports to move their reports through the report workflow using the Manage Report Workflow function. Radiologists can quickly view reports and report statuses using this function.

The Report Workflow is part of the NovaRIS product and is dependent

upon the installation of NovaRIS on the PACS server. If NovaRIS is

installed, the Report Workflow window will appear in a separate

browser window.

The Report Workflow page is divided into four sections, each representing a report’s workflow stage:

1. Dictated Reports 2. Unsigned Reports 3. Signed Reports 4. Finalized Reports

Exercise 1.3.2 Viewing the Report Workflow Manager Window The following exercise demonstrates how to open the Report Workflow Manager window.

Step 1. Click on the Study menu and select Manage Report Workflow… menu item.



The Available Report Workflow Managers dialog will appear. Step 2. Click the checkbox next to “localhost” and click Open.

The Report Workflow page will open in a new browser window and display the report workflow dashboard from NovaRIS.

Step 3. Click the “X” located on the browser tab to close the Report Workflow Manager window.



Retrieve Images

If your users are working on a workstation machine that is not the PACS server machine, they can use the Retrieve Images function to download all image files contained in a selected study from the server to the local computer’s cache. This will allow the study/studies to open quicker. The Retrieve Images function operates in the background, allowing your users to perform other tasks while waiting.

When the Retrieve Images function is used, the Study Browser will indicate that the studies have been fully downloaded and cached by turning the studies green in the Filtered Studies list.

Studies listed in black text are the studies located on the PACS server.

Studies in green text indicate they have been cached locally on the user’s

machine.

Exercise 1.3.3 Retrieving Images The following exercise demonstrates how to retrieve images and download them to your local cache prior to opening a study.


Step 3. Select CT as your modality from the Modality drop-down list.



Step 4. Click once on a study in the Filtered Studies list to highlight it. Step 5. Click on the Study menu and select Retrieve Images.

The status of the image retrieval will display in the lower left-hand corner of the Study Browser window.



Once all of the images associated with the study have been downloaded, the study will turn green in the Filtered Studies list.

Assign Password…

The Assign Password function lets your users assign a temporary, single-study access password for a study, giving a medical professional (i.e., a Referring Physician or Radiologist) access to that study through the Web Viewer for a user-specified amount of time. The single-study access password gives a user access to that study’s images and RIS reports using the NovaPACS Lite Viewer.

The Assign Password function will generate a random password that your users can manually send to the recipient, or they can choose the option to generate a new randomly generated password. They can also set the expiration date for the password. After the time has expired, the recipient will no longer be able to access the study with the password.

Recipients will need the URL to your Novaweb page, so they can use the Single Study Access link on the main page. They will then enter their email address and the password they’ve been given. Recipients will have access to all images in the study and any available reports using NovaPACS.



NovaPACS does not assign a password to a particular email address.

Recipients will enter their email address when they access the Novaweb

page and select the Single Study Access option, and will then enter their

given password. Recipients’ logins using their email address and the given

password will be audited in the NovaPACS Admin Console for security

purposes.

Exercise 1.3.4 Assigning a Single Study Access Password The following exercise demonstrates how to assign a Single Study Access Password for a study using the Assign Password function.

Step 1. Click once on a study in the Filtered Studies list. Step 2. Click on the Study menu and select Assign Password.



The Assign Web Password to Selected Study dialog box will open.

Step 3. Click on the calendar icon in the Expiration Date field to change the expiration date for the password access.

You will want to capture the information in this dialog box to pass along to the recipient. We suggest you do a screen capture or enter the password and expiration date information into an email to your recipient. You will want to include your Novaweb URL and instructions on accessing the Single Study Access option as well. Note, passwords are not case sensitive when entering using the Single Study Access link to access the NovaPACS Lite Viewer.



Step 4. Click OK when you are finished capturing the information in the dialog. A confirmation dialog box will appear with the study, password, and expiration information displayed.

If you have not yet captured the information to distribute to your recipient, you can copy this screen before clicking OK.

Launch Cardio Reporting

The Launch Cardio Reporting function allows your users to launch EncaptureMD—a cardio reporting tool used with NovaPACS to create echocardiography reports.

The Launch Cardio Reporting function will only appear if EncaptureMD

software has been set up on your workstation.

NovaPACS sends any available patient, study, and SR (structured report) information to EncaptureMD to populate the report interface. Your users will create the cardiology reports using EncaptureMD, and the finished report will be sent to NovaRIS. Reports can then be accessed from NovaPACS using the Exam Report option.

If your radiologist has a physician record in NovaRIS that is linked to their

NovaPACS user account, and is associated with their Encapture

radiologist record, then finished reports will be sent to NovaRIS marked as

“Signed.” If your radiologist does not have a NovaRIS physician record

linked to their NovaPACS user account, the report will be marked

“Transcribed” and the Reporting Physician field will be marked

“unknown.”



Launch Mammo Viewer

The Launch Mammo Viewer function allows your users to launch TPS (Three Palms Software)—a mammography viewing tool used with NovaPACS for mammography viewing.

Studies can be routed to TPS manually or with auto route rules. Your users can also configure their MG hanging protocols to use the mammo display tool option, which will launch TPS automatically when an MG study is opened in NovaPACS. Your users can read the MG studies in TPS, dictate, and create reports. The finished reports will be sent to NovaRIS and can be accessed from NovaPACS using the Exam Report function.

The Launch Mammo Viewer function will only appear if TPS Mammo

Viewer software has been set up on your workstation.

Launch Orthopedic Tools

The Launch Orthopedic Tools function allows your users to use orthopedic templating 3rd party software or orthopedic template viewing software with NovaPACS.

Depending on their license, your users can create orthopedic templates for surgery and/or share and collaborate with orthopedic templates. The Launch Orthopedic Tools function allows your users to access their third party orthopedic software.

The Launch Orthopedic Tools function will only appear if NovaOrtho™

software has been set up on your workstation.



Lesson 1 Review

Please answer the following questions:

1. The NovaPACS Diagnostic Viewer supports opening which of the following file types?

a. JPEG b. JPEG 2000 Lossless c. DICOM d. PNG e. TIFF

2. The Add to Worklist button enables users to assign selected studies to another user.

a. True b. False

3. Which of the following Study menu items are launched using NovaRIS? a. Launch Mammo Viewer b. Documents c. Exam Report d. Launch Orthopedic Tools e. Launch Cardio Reporting f. RIS Information

4. Complete the following statement:

Radiologists can use the ______________________ menu item to access their NovaRIS reports and move them through the report workflow.


PACSADMIN-02-2013 ©Copyright Novarad 2013 Lesson 2: Hanging Protocols 24

Lesson 2: Hanging Protocols


Understand how hanging protocols determine the way a study is displayed in the Image Viewer

Understand how to set up default hanging protocols

Understand how to create favorite hanging protocols Hanging Protocols determine how images in a study are displayed in the NovaPACS Image Viewer. Your users can change the way series and images are displayed by changing the hanging protocols. Default hanging protocols can be configured for each modality, and for studies of a specific modality and anatomical area, so your radiologists can have their studies displayed to their preferences each time they open studies.

Section 2.1 Configuring Default Hanging Protocols

Studies are comprised of series and images, depending on the study type and modality. Some studies may have multiple series that are different views of the same body part. If the study was performed using a modality that takes multiple image slices, or images, such as a CT machine, series may contain more than one image.

Radiologists will want to view the series and images for studies in the Image Viewer in varying configurations, depending on the modality and study type. For example, they may want to view CT studies with two series side by side. They may want to view cardiology studies with four series displayed simultaneously.

As an Administrator, you can set default hanging protocols for each modality type, and even for studies with a specific anatomical area. Then, when a radiologist opens a study of that modality or modality and anatomical area combination, the study will display the way they prefer to read.

Adding Default Hanging Protocols

As an Administrator, you can add default hanging protocols for modality types and for studies that have a specific modality and anatomical area. Every time a study matching that modality and/or anatomical area is opened in the Image Viewer, it will display the series and images as configured in the default hanging protocol.



Exercise 2.1.1 Adding a Default Hanging Protocol The following exercise demonstrates how to add a default hanging protocol for a modality.

Step 1. Click on the Study Browser’s Settings menu and select the Configure Default HPs… option.

The Default Hanging Protocol Editor dialog box will open.

Step 2. Click on the Add New button at the bottom of the Study Types section.



The Selected Study Types Properties section will become active.

Step 3. Click on the Modality drop-down list and select CT.

Step 4. Click on the Add button to the right of the Anatomical Area section.



A text input field will appear in the Anatomical Area section, allowing you to type directly in the field.

Step 5. Type CT SINUS in the text input field.

Step 6. Double-click the black box graphic under the Default HP section to edit it.

The Edit default Hanging Protocol for ____ dialog box will open.



Step 7. Click on the Split Vertically icon on the series box on the left of the window to split the hanging protocol into two series displayed side by side.



Step 7. Click on the left series box black graphic, and click on the Split Horizontally icon on the series box to split the hanging protocol to show another series.

Step 8. Click on the right series box black graphic, and click on the Split Horizontally icon on the series box to split the hanging protocol to show a fourth series.



Step 9. Click the OK button in the bottom right-hand corner of the dialog box to finish adding the hanging protocol for CT SINUS studies.



The new hanging protocol for CT SINUS studies will appear in the Study Types list in the Default Hanging Protocol Editor dialog box.

Step 10. Click Close to finish adding default hanging protocols.

Step 11. Search for Shane Burn’s CT study and double-click it to open it.

Because the modality and anatomical area match the default HP we just configured, the study will open in the Image Viewer displaying four series together.



Step 12. Click on the Space Bar to close the study and return to the Study Browser. Step 13. Double-click on the next study in the list that does not have CT SINUS for the Anatomical Area. The study will open with the default hanging protocol for CT studies, and not the hanging protocol just configured for CT SINUS studies.

Editing Default Hanging Protocols

At any time, you or your users can edit the default hanging protocol for a modality or modality/anatomical area. To edit the default hanging protocol, you will access the Configure Default HPs option on the Study Browser’s settings menu and edit the hanging protocol(s) from there.



Any layout changes you make to the hanging protocol while viewing a

study in the Image Viewer will not be saved to the default hanging

protocol unless you specifically save your changes as the new default

hanging protocol. Your viewing changes will only be for your current

session.

Deleting Default Hanging Protocols

If your radiologist no longer wants a configured default hanging protocol layout for certain study types, they can delete the set default hanging protocols at any time. If you delete a default hanging protocol for a modality/anatomical area, and there is a default hanging protocol for just that modality, any studies that previously opened with the modality/anatomical area default hanging protocol will now open with the default hanging protocol for just the modality.

If you delete a default hanging protocol for a modality, studies from that modality will open displaying just a single series.

Creating Comparison Hanging Protocols

Comparison hanging protocols are the layouts for studies when they are opened with a prior study. For example, if a radiologist is viewing a chest x-ray study, he may want to see the patient’s last x-ray to compare. The studies will be opened up side-by-side in separate workspaces in the Image Viewer.

The comparison hanging protocols designate how the current and prior studies are displayed when they are opened together. Radiologists won’t want one to open with a certain hanging protocol, and the other to display differently.

Comparison study viewing will display both studies in an identical

hanging protocol layout, not independently separate hanging protocols.



Exercise 2.1.2 Creating a Comparison Hanging Protocol The following exercise demonstrates how to add a comparison hanging protocol for a modality.

Step 1. Click on the Study Browser’s Settings menu and select the Configure Default HPs… option.

The Default Hanging Protocol Editor dialog box will open.

Step 2. Click on the CT THORAX WITH CONTRAST hanging protocol to select it.



Step 3. Click on the Add Comparison HP link below the black Default HP editor graphic.

The page will refresh to display a Comparison HP default HP editor graphic.

Step 4. Click on the black box graphic under the Comparison HP section to edit it. The Edit default Hanging Protocols for CT (THORAX WITH CONTRAST) dialog box will open.



Step 5. Click on the Split Vertically icon on the series box on the left of the window to split the hanging protocol into two series displayed side by side.

Step 6. Click on the left series box black graphic, and click on the Split Horizontally icon on the series box to split the hanging protocol to show another series.



Step 7. Click on the right series box black graphic, and click on the Split Horizontally icon on the series box to split the hanging protocol to show a fourth series.



Step 8. Click the OK button in the bottom right-hand corner of the dialog box to finish adding the comparison hanging protocol for CT THORAX WITH CONTRAST studies.

The new comparison hanging protocol for CT THORAX WITH CONTRAST studies will appear in the Comparison HP section in the Default Hanging Protocol Editor dialog box.



Step 9. Click Close to finish adding the comparison hanging protocol.

Step 10. Search for Reginald Gregory’s CT THORAX WITH CONTRAST study and double-click it to open it.

The study, along with the prior study, will open side by side in the Image Viewer. Note that both studies will display with four series displayed as configured for viewing comparison studies.

Step 11. Press the Spacebar to close the study and return to the Study Browser.



Section 2.2 Adding Favorite Hanging Protocols

Your users can create additional hanging protocol layouts and add them to their Favorite HPs for modality list so they can view studies using various layouts.

Once a study is opened in the Image Viewer, the Favorite Hanging Protocols for modality list will populate at the bottom of the Study Browser in the Favorite HPs for Modality list if it is displayed. Any available favorite hanging protocols will display. Your users can open studies using these different favorite hanging protocols.

In the Image Viewer, your users can use the default hotkeys of the number keys on their keyboard (not the side key pad) to navigate between the different favorite hanging protocols for the selected modality. The following sections describe how to work with Favorite Hanging Protocols.

Creating Favorite Hanging Protocols

Your users can edit the layout of their studies in the Image Viewer, and save their changes as a Favorite Hanging Protocol for the modality. Their default hanging protocols won’t be affected, but it will allow them other viewing options for studies.

Favorite hanging protocols can be created and saved using the Default Hanging Protocol Drop-down List in the Image Viewer, or by using the Add current HP to favorites link in the Study Browser.



Exercise 2.2.1 Creating a Favorite Hanging Protocol The following exercise demonstrates how to add a favorite hanging protocol for a modality.

Step 1. Search for Shane Burns’ study and double-click it to open it in the Image Viewer.

Step 2. Click on the red X in the top right-hand corner of the top right series box to close the viewing window.

The hanging protocol will now display three series in the Image Viewer instead of four.



Step 3. Click on the red X in the top right-hand corner of the remaining right series box to close the viewing window.

The hanging protocol will now display two series.

Step 4. Click on the red X in the top right-hand corner of the bottom series box to close the viewing window.



The hanging protocol now will display a single series.

Step 5. Click on the Default Hanging Protocol Drop-Down list in the top right-hand corner of the Image Viewer.

Step 6. Select the Add HP to favorites option.

You will receive a confirmation dialog box informing you that your current hanging protocol was added to the favorites.



Step 7. Click on the OK button to confirm the changes. Step 8. Return to the Study Browser. Note that the Favorite HPs for modality (CT) list now has an additional favorite HP displayed, with a single series previewed.

Editing Favorite Hanging Protocols

Your users can edit their favorite hanging protocols at any time. After creating favorite hanging protocols, your users can access options for the favorite hanging protocols by right-clicking on the preview images in the Favorite HPs for modality list in the Study Browser.

Exercise 2.2.2 Editing a Favorite Hanging Protocol The following exercise demonstrates how to edit a favorite hanging protocol for a modality.

Step 1. Right-click on the favorite hanging protocol you just created in the Favorite HPs for modality (CT) list.

A menu will display options for working with the favorite hanging protocol.



Step 2. Click on the Edit HP option on the list.

The Image Box Editor dialog box will open.

Step 3. Click on the Split Horizontally box in the top right-hand corner of the series display box.



The Image Box Editor will now display two series.

Step 4. Click OK in the bottom right-hand corner of the Image Box Editor.

Step 5. Return to the Study Browser, if not already there. Note that the end hanging protocol preview displayed in the Favorite HPs for modality list now displays the new hanging protocol layout as edited.



Deleting Favorite Hanging Protocols

At any time your users can delete their favorite hanging protocols for the selected modality by right-clicking on a favorite HP preview and selecting the Remove HP option.

Rearranging Favorite Hanging Protocols

By default, the number keys on your keyboard allow your users to navigate between their favorite hanging protocols in the Image Viewer. Favorite hanging protocols can be rearranged by clicking on the preview images and dragging them to new locations in the Favorite HPs for modality list in the Study Browser.

Exercise 2.2.3 Rearranging a Favorite Hanging Protocol The following exercise demonstrates how to rearrange a favorite hanging protocol for a modality.

Step 1. Click on the 6th hanging protocol preview in the Favorite HPs for modality (CT) list in the Study Browser.

Step 2. Drag the preview image all the way to the right and drop it. Note that the favorite HP for number 6 is now at the end of the list but retains its number.



Using Favorite Hanging Protocols

Your users can navigate between their favorite layouts in a few ways. The favorite hanging protocol preview images can be clicked on in the Study Browser and it will apply the selected hanging protocol to the currently open study. If a study is not currently open, your users can select a study, and double click the favorite hanging protocol image preview to open the study in the Image Viewer with that hanging protocol.

Your users can also navigate in the Image Viewer by using the default hotkeys of the number keys on your keyboard (not the side key pad). The numbers on your keyboard correspond directly to the number assigned to the favorite hanging protocol (i.e., pressing the number 6 will change the hanging protocol to the hanging protocol labeled “6” on the Favorite HPs for modality list in the Study Browser.

Section 2.3 Hanging Protocol Drop-Down List

In the Image Viewer, your users can access settings for hanging protocols. Current hanging protocol settings in the Image Viewer can be set as default hanging protocols for favorite hanging protocols, or the hanging protocol can be quickly reset to the original default layout for the modality, using this drop-down list.

The following sections describe how to use the Default Hanging Protocol Drop-Down List in the Image Viewer.

Save as New Default for Modality, Anatomical Area

If your users change the hanging protocol in the Image Viewer or are viewing a study with a favorite hanging protocol, they may want to save their current hanging protocol as the new default hanging protocol for opening studies associated with that modality and anatomical area. The Save as New Default for modality, anatomical area option on the Default Hanging Protocol drop-down list will allow your users to save their current hanging protocol as the default for opening studies from that modality and anatomical area.



Set Current HP as Default for Modality

Your users may make changes to their hanging protocol in the Image Viewer, or they may select a favorite hanging protocol, and want all subsequent studies from that modality to open in that same display. The Save as New Default for modality option on the Default Hanging Protocol drop-down list will allow your users to save their current hanging protocol as the default for opening studies of that modality.

Add HP to Favorites

At any time, your users can set their current hanging protocol as a favorite hanging protocol using the Add HP to Favorites option on the Default Hanging Protocol drop-down list in the Image Viewer.

HP: Modality

If your users select a favorite hanging protocol or make changes to their current hanging protocol, they can return to viewing the default hanging protocol for the modality at any time by using the HP: Modality option on the Default Hanging Protocol drop-down list in the Image Viewer.



Exercise 2.3.1 Returning the Hanging Protocol to the Default The following exercise demonstrates how to return the hanging protocol in the Image Viewer to the default for the modality.

Step 1. Search for and open a CT study in the Image Viewer. Step 2. Use the red X in the corner of the right imagebox to close the viewing window from the hanging protocol.

The hanging protocol will now display one series in the Image Viewer instead of two side by side.

Step 3. Click on the Default Hanging Protocol drop-down list. Select the HP: CT option to return the hanging protocol back to the default for the modality.



The hanging protocol will display two series side by side again, as configured in the default hanging protocol for the modality.



Lesson 2 Review


1. Complete the following statement: Default hanging protocols are the default settings for displaying the ____________ and ___________ of a study.

2. Default hanging protocols are configured using the Series Box icons in the Image Viewer.

a. True b. False


Comparison HPs are the hanging protocol settings for displaying _____________ and ____________ studies together.

4. Favorite Hanging Protocols can be added from either the Image Viewer or the Study Browser.

a. True b. False

5. After changing the display in the Image Viewer, which option will return the

hanging protocol settings to the default for the modality? a. Using the Series Box icons in the corner of the series windows b. Selecting the HP: Modality option on the Default Hanging Protocol

Drop-Down list c. Using the number keys on the keyboard to change the hanging

protocol d. Returning to the Study Browser and selecting an option from the

Favorite HPs for Modality list


PACSADMIN-02-2013 ©Copyright Novarad 2013 Lesson 4: Customization 53

Lesson 3: Preferences


Understand user preferences and how to use them

Understand how to save and reset default preferences per role

Understand how to import and export preference files By default, any customizations users make to their Study Browser and Image Viewer will be saved to their individual user preferences. This means if your users want to customize their toolbars, lists, and hotkeys to their own individual settings, they can do so and those settings will be available to them any time they log into the Diagnostic Viewer.

As an Administrator, you can configure settings to be used such as toolbar options, hotkeys, column and list customizations, etc., and set the defaults for each role. Your radiologists may want their report workflow option on their toolbar, where your technologists may want the patient CD/DVD option on their toolbar. You can import user preferences into the Diagnostic Viewer for quick access to custom settings, or to recover lost preferences. At any time, you can export a copy of the current user’s preferences for backup as well.

The following sections describe how to work with user preferences.

Section 3.1 User Preferences

As an Administrator, you have the ability to create custom preferences for each role in your system. Any changes a user makes to their preferences settings will overwrite the default settings and will automatically be recalled each time that user logs into the Diagnostic Viewer. This includes all preference settings; keyboard, mouse, context menus, databases, hanging protocols, toolbars, icon sizes, layout of the browser, etc. As each user exits the Viewer, NovaPACS saves their preferences under their individual login, so that subsequent logins will automatically use their saved preferences.

Tip: Your users’ preferences are saved on the primary PACS server, meaning that they are automatically configured for each user regardless of which Novarad workstation they are using.

The following sections describe how to apply user preferences.

Save as Default Preferences

As an Administrator can configure the default settings you want for each role in the system, and use the Save as Default option to save these settings as the default preferences for that role. All future users of that role will use those configured settings that have been saved on the NovaPACS server.



You can set the configured preferences to be the Basic, Normal, or Advanced preference level for the role. If you ever need to reset preferences to the defaults for the role, you have the option to reset the preferences to the basic, normal, or advanced settings that you have saved.

Only Administrators can alter Default User Preferences. It is important to remember that all settings including buttons, hotkeys, CD burning preferences, and the general layout of the windows that you set will be the default settings for all of your users associated with that role.

Exercise 3.1.1 Saving as Default Preferences The following exercise demonstrates how to save preferences as the default for a role.

Step 1. Right click on the custom toolbar in the Study Browser and select the Customize… option.

Step 2. Expand the Study menu in the Available Items section and select the Documents option.



Step 3. Click on the Add button to add the Documents option to the custom toolbar.

The Documents option will now appear at the bottom of the Current Toolbar Items list.

Step 4. Click the OK button to save your changes and exit.



Step 5. To save your customization to the default preferences for a role, click on the Settings menu, select Preferences, and select the Save as Default Preferences… option.

The Set Default Preferences for Profile dialog box will open.

Step 6. Click on the drop-down list and select the Technologist role from the list.



Step 7. Leave the “Normal” option selected and click OK to set the preferences for the Technologist role’s normal preferences.

Export Preferences

The Export Preferences function allows you and your users to save and export a copy of their user preferences in case they ever get lost or reset. You can export to a flash drive or to a specified folder on your user’s local workstation or the network. Preferences are exported as .XML formatted text. At any time, you can recover or restore your preferences by importing these saved preferences back into NovaPACS.

Exercise 3.1.2 Exporting Preferences The following exercise demonstrates how to export a copy of the current user preferences.

Step 1. Click on the Settings menu, select the Preferences option, and select Export Preferences.

The Export Preferences to File dialog box will open.



Step 2. Browse to the location of your choice to save the preferences file.

Step 3. Type “Technologist Preferences” in the File Name field.

Step 4. Click Save to save the preferences as an XML file.

Import Preferences

The Import Preferences function allows your users to import preference settings from a saved location. This is helpful when sharing preference settings from one Diagnostic Viewer installation to another. This is also helpful if your users’ preferences are changed or lost, and you need to quickly recover their settings.

Exercise 3.1.3 Importing Preferences The following exercise demonstrates how to import user preferences.

Step 1. Click on the Settings menu, select the Preferences option, and select Import Preferences.



The Import Preference File dialog box will open.

Step 2. Browse to the desktop and locate the file you previously saved as “Technologist Preferences.”

Step 3. Click Open to load the preferences into NovaPACS.



Reset Preferences

Each role has 3 levels of preferences: basic, normal, or advanced. The NovaPACS system is installed with all levels pre-configured and Administrators can save new configurations as basic, normal, or advanced. The Reset Preferences function allows your users to reset role preferences to a level of preferences for the role. When a user’s preferences are reset, Admins can reset them to the basic, normal, or advanced level of preferences for the role.

The Diagnostic Viewer will permanently overwrite any settings that have been changed in the Study Browser and Image Viewer when the Reset Preferences function is selected. Users will receive a warning prompt before resetting the preferences to ensure they really want to reset their preferences.



Exercise 3.1.4 Resetting Preferences The following exercise demonstrates how to reset user preferences.

Step 1. Click on the Settings menu, select the Preferences option, and select Reset Preferences.

The Reset Preferences dialog box will open. Step 2. Click on the drop-down list and select the Technologist role.

Step 3. Click on the Advanced option to select the advanced level of preferences.



Step 4. Click OK to reset the Technologist role’s default preferences to the configured advanced preferences.



Lesson 3 Review


1. Complete the following statement: User preferences can be created for ___________, _________________, and __________________ levels for each role.

2. User preferences are saved per machine so a copy of the user’s preferences should be imported for each workstation they will be using.

a. True b. False

3. User preference files are exported in which format?

a. .jpeg b. .doc c. .docx d. .xml e. .xslx

4. If your user preferences have been lost or reset, you can import a copy of

your saved user preferences to restore your settings at any time. a. True b. False

5. Only Admins can reset a user’s preferences back to the defaults for the role.

a. True b. False



Lesson 4: Customization


Understand how to customize toolbars, Study Browser options, Image Viewer options, and options on the Settings menu.

NovaPACS is highly customizable so that it can facilitate users’ workflow and efficiency needs. There are many different ways to quickly access functions, and various ways to design a custom look and feel when working in NovaPACS.

As an Administrator, you can customize options in NovaPACS and save them to the user preferences for each role. Your users can also customize individual options and preferences and their changes will be saved to their individual user preferences and be available to them each time they log into NovaPACS.

The following sections describe how to customize options in the Study Browser and Image Viewer, and options for opening studies with various information dialogs included.

Section 4.1 Customizing the Study Browser

The Study Browser’s lists, filters, columns, etc., are highly customizable for your users’ convenience. The ability to customize the Study Browser will help your users work more efficiently within their workflow.

The following sections describe the Study Browser’s customization options.

Search Filters

Radiologists may need to search for particular studies they need to read. They will utilize the Study Browser’s Search Filters to search using specified criteria. Users can customize their search filter options to contain more or fewer search field options, depending on their preferences. Search filters can also be saved and used repeatedly.

Customizing Search Filters

As an Administrator, you can set default search filters for different roles within the PACS. By configuring these filters by role, you can establish a standard by which all users of a particular role will function.

However, individual users can further customize their search filters to meet their individual preferences, which will override the default filters set by the Administrator. Any customizations made to the search filters will automatically be saved to your user’s preferences.

You can add or remove search filters by right-clicking on the search filters row and selecting your options in the drop-down list.



You can remove the Time filter, however, if it is removed from the

search filter list, the time frame will default to the Last 3 Hours

and only show studies added in that time frame.

The Saved Filters and Data Source fields are not optional and will

not appear in the optional filters list.

Creating Saved Filters

Your users can create and save multiple filter configurations as a Saved Filter that can be accessed and used at any time. Saved Filters allow your users to create one or more of their own custom filter configurations that can be selected once they’ve logged in. This feature will save both the filters configured as well as the data contained in each filter. To create a Saved Filter, set the criteria in your search fields, click on the Saved Filters drop-down list, and select Edit Saved Filters. Enter a name for the saved filters, and click OK.

Exercise 4.1.1 Creating Saved Filters The following exercise demonstrates how to use the Saved Filters feature to create personalized filter configurations.

Following the completion of this training course, you will be given the option to export your individual configuration and customization settings as preferences to an external storage device to import into your own system. If you plan to reuse the configuration/customization settings you create during this training, you will want to set up your preferences the way they will work best in your facility.



Step 1. Reset your search filters by selecting View Reset Filters. Step 2. Click on the Modality filter and select CT to only include CT studies in your Saved Filter. Step 3. Click on the Time Frame filter and select Last 30 Days.

Step 4. Click on the Saved Filters drop-down list and select Edit Saved Filters.

Step 5. Enter “Morning Routine” in the Save Current Filters As: field.

Step 6. Click OK to save the filter. The Saved Filter will now appear in the Saved Filters drop-down list. Step 7. Click on the Study Browser’s View menu and select Reset Filters. Step 8. Click on the Saved Filters list and select Morning Routine.

The Time Frame filter and Modality filter will be set to the last 30 days and CT modality settings.



Deleting Saved Filters

Once a filter configuration is saved as a Saved Filter, it can be deleted from the Saved Filters search field. To delete Saved Filters, click on the Saved Filters drop-down list, select Edit Saved Filters, and select the filter you want to delete in the Select Saved Filters to Delete box.

Exercise 4.1.2 Deleting Saved Filters The following exercise demonstrates how to delete a Saved Filter.

Step 1. Click on the Saved Filters drop-down list.

Step 2. Select the Edit Saved Filters option from the drop-down list.

The Edit Saved Filters dialog box will appear.



Step 3. In the Select Saved Filters to Delete box, select the filter you want to delete by checking the box next to the filter.

Step 4. Click the OK button to delete the filter.

Step 5. Click on the Saved Filters drop-down list to verify that the saved filter has been deleted.

Once a Saved Filter has been deleted, it cannot be recovered. If a Saved Filter has been deleted by mistake, it will need to be recreated.

Columns and Lists

The columns and lists in the Study Browser can all be customized to display in the size, order, etc., that is most efficient for each of your users. The following sections describe column and list customization options.

Adding/Removing Columns

Each facility operates a little differently than the next and some study data may be irrelevant or be of a low enough priority that you would prefer not to use up valuable computer screen real estate displaying it. On the other hand, some study data not displayed by default, may play a vital role in your workflow and will need to be visible in the Study Browser.



To add or remove a column, right-click on the column header and select or deselect the desired column.

Exercise 4.1.3 Adding and Removing Columns The following exercise demonstrates how to add and remove columns to a list.

Step 1. Right-click on the Filtered Studies list’s column header. A drop-down menu will appear displaying all of the available options.

Step 2. Click on Gender.

The menu will close and the Gender column will appear in the list.

Columns added to the lists in the Study Browser will initially display in the same order that they appear in the drop-down menu.You will learn how to reorder the columns in the next section.

Step 3. Right-click the column header again and click the Gender column option to deselect it. The menu will close and the Gender column will disappear from the list.



Reordering Columns

Because a column will always be inserted in the order in which it appears in the drop-down list, you won’t have control over where it gets inserted initially. You can, however, move the column to its desired location once it has been inserted.

To change the order in which columns are displayed, you can click and drag a column to its new location and drop it.

Exercise 4.1.4 Reordering Columns The following exercise demonstrates how to reorder columns in a list.

Step 1. Click on the Anatomical Area column heading. Step 2. Drag the column to the left, and drop it between the Study Date and the Modality columns. The divider between the two adjacent columns will highlight as you hover over the two columns you wish to insert the column between.

The column will snap into place in its new location.

Resizing Column Headings

In some cases, some of the information displayed in the list columns may be obscured due to the fact that a column is too narrow to adequately display its contents.

This is especially true with columns such as Anatomical Area, Facility, and Patient ID, which can contain lengthy data. You can resize the width of a column heading in any list to better accommodate the information being displayed.



To resize a column, hover the cursor over the right divider line of the column you wish to resize. When the pointer changes to the double-arrow icon, click and drag the divider to the desired width and drop it.

Exercise 4.1.5 Resizing Column Headings The following exercise demonstrates how to resize column headings in a list.

Step 1. Hover your cursor over the right divider of the Anatomical Area column heading. The cursor will change to a double-ended arrow.

Step 2. Click and drag the right side of the column to the desired width and release it.

You can also double-click the right divider of the column heading and the column will auto-fit to its contents.

Sorting Data in a Column

In many cases, the search criteria you enter into the search filters will result in a long list of potential patient studies. To make locating the correct patient study easier, you might want to sort the data by specific columns.

You can sort the information alphabetically/numerically, depending on the type of data contained in the column, and in ascending/descending order. STAT studies (displayed in red) will always remain at the top of the list, however.

To sort data in a specific column, click on the column header. To reverse the order, click on the column header again.



Exercise 4.1.6 Sorting Data in a Column The following exercise demonstrates how to sort patient studies in a list.

Step 1. Click on the First Name column on the Filtered Studies list. The list will automatically sort the names alphabetically. (STAT studies will remain at the top of the list because they are always considered first priority. The remainder of the studies in the list will sort.) Step 2. To toggle the sort order, click the column header again.

In columns that contain both alphabetical and numerical data, the data will be grouped together by type, then sorted.

Resizing Lists

Computer screen real estate can impose visual limitations on your user’s ability to see data on the screen. You can resize the height and width of Study Browser lists to display more or less information depending on your specific needs. There are four adjustments that can be made within the Study Browser:

1. The horizontal height adjustment between the Filtered Studies list and the Patient History/Series lists.

2. The vertical adjustment between the Patient History and Series lists.

3. The horizontal adjustment between the Patient History/Series lists and the Favorite HPs for Modality pane.

4. The horizontal adjustment between the Patient History/Series

lists and the Favorite HPs for Modality pane.

You can resize the lists by clicking on the appropriate divider and dragging it to the desired height or width.



Exercise 4.1.7 Resizing Lists The following exercise demonstrates how to resize the different sections within the Study Browser window.

Step 1. Hover the cursor over the divider at the edge of the list you want to resize. The cursor will change to a double-ended arrow.

Step 2. Click and drag the divider to the desired height/width. Step 3. Follow step 2 to resize each of the remaining dividers.



Section 4.2 Customizing the Image Viewer

The Image Viewer has many default settings. However, most settings are customizable for your users’ convenience. Users can customize window/level presets, keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys), image context menus, and image labels, along with many other options.

The following sections provide information on the settings your users can customize.

Keyboard Shortcuts

The most commonly used features in the Study Browser and Image Viewer come preconfigured with default hotkey settings. However, these default settings can be changed. Any of the menu functions can also be assigned a customized hotkey setting using the Keyboard Shortcuts tab in the Options menu. Hotkey settings for menu functions are listed next to menu function names in the menu drop-down lists.

To open the Keyboard Shortcuts tab, click on the Settings menu on the Study Browser’s main toolbar, and select Options. An Options dialog will appear.

In the Options dialog box, select the Keyboard Shortcuts tab. The page will have windows for both the Study Browser menu items and the Image Viewer menu items.

The Image Viewer settings do not allow the same keyboard shortcuts

to be assigned for multiple functions and will prompt users if a

combination is already in use. However, keyboard shortcuts assigned

to Study Browser functions can be used for Image Viewer functions.

Tip: Users can assign several keyboard shortcuts before clicking OK.

Exercise 4.2.1 Adding Hotkeys The following exercise will demonstrate how to add hotkeys.

Step 1. Click on the Settings Menu on the Study Browser’s Main toolbar and select Options.



The Options page will appear.

Step 2. Click on the Keyboard Shortcuts tab.

Step 3. Click on the + button next to the Menu section in the Image Window menu items pane to expand the list.

Step 4. Click on the + button next to the Study menu to expand the list.



Step 5. Select the Close Study option and then click in the Image window keystroke field at the bottom of the window.

Step 6. Press the Shift and C keys on your keyboard.

Key combinations for keyboard shortcuts do not need to be pressed simultaneously. Keys can be pressed indvidually and each will be captured in the Image window keystroke field.

The keystroke window will capture each key pressed separately (including keys such as Shift, Back, Alt, etc.) Step 7. Click OK to save the changes and exit.



Mouse Settings

Most functions in the Image Viewer can be performed with the mouse instead of the keyboard for radiologists’ convenience. The most commonly used features in the Image Viewer come with default mouse settings. These default settings can be changed and customized. Mouse settings are categorized into three categories: click events, drag events, and wheel events. Click events are actions users can perform using the left, right, or both mouse buttons to access. Drag events are actions users can perform by clicking the left, right, or both mouse buttons and dragging the mouse on the screen. Wheel events are actions users can perform using the mouse wheel alone or in combination with other keyboard keys (i.e., pressing the Alt key and scrolling the mouse wheel down).

The most commonly used functions such as next image, previous

image, next series, previous series, zooming, and window/leveling are

set to default mouse settings.



Image Context Menu

The Image Context menus are the menus that appear when an image is right-clicked in the Image Viewer. When adding Image Context Menu items, if you choose All Modalities, the option you add/change shows up in all Image Context Menus when you right-click. However, if you choose a specific modality, the option you add/change shows up in the Image Context Menu for that modality only. This is helpful if your users want individual, customized Image Context Menus for each modality.

Exercise 4.2.2 Adding Image Context Menu Items The following exercise will demonstrate how to add Image Context Menu items.

Step 1. Click on the Settings menu on the Study Browser’s Main toolbar and select Options.

The Options dialog will appear.



Step 2. Click on the Image Context Menu tab.

Step 3. Click on modalities drop-down list and select CR—Computed Radiography.

Step 4. Click on the + button next to Menu in the Available items pane to expand the list.

Step 5. Click on the + button next to Image to expand the list.



Step 6. Click on the + button next to Annotate to expand the list.

Step 7. Click on the Spine Labeling option.

Step 8. Click the Add button.



The Spine Labeling option will now be located in the Current toolbar items list.

Step 9. To reorder the location of the new Image Context Menu item, click on the Spine Labeling option in the Current toolbar items list to select it.

Step 10. Click on the Move Up button to the right of the window until the Spine Labeling option is located at the top of the list.

Step 10. Click OK to save the changes and exit.



The Spine Labeling option will now display at the top of the Image Context Menu when it is accessed from a CR study in the Image Viewer.

Labels

Your users can change and customize the DICOM labels that appear on images in the Image Viewer. These labels provide useful patient, study, and series information. Font sizes and colors can be customized for the labels as well.

The Labels tab page opens up with the default DICOM label settings displayed. These default settings are used if a specific modality’s labels are not customized. Select a modality from the Modality drop-down list to view that modality’s DICOM label settings. Users can create and modify their own custom labels from the Labels tab.

The default color of a label is determined by the level of that label (i.e.,

the Patient level has a default color of light teal; the Study level has a

default color of dark teal; the Series level has a default color of purple;

and the Image level has a default color of gold).



Exercise 4.2.3 Adding Image Labels The following exercise will demonstrate how to add image labels.



Step 2. Click on the Labels tab.

Step 3. Click on modalities drop-down list and select CR.



Step 4. Click on the Image Number label under the DICOM fields list and drag it to the lower right box in the window.

Step 5. Click OK to save the changes and exit the dialog.

Lexicon

The Lexicon provides your users with a list of commonly used words to select from when using text annotations in the Image Viewer. Your users can add phrases to the Lexicon that they can select from a list instead of manually typing them.



As an Administrator, you can create global Lexicon values available to all users, and customized values can be created by each user available only to them. You can add words to the Lexicon using the Lexicon tab on the Options page, or you and your users can add Lexicon items when adding text annotations in the Image Viewer.

Exercise 4.2.4 Adding Lexicon Values The following exercise will demonstrate how to add Lexicon values.



Step 2. Click on the Lexicon tab.



Step 3. Click on the Add button at the bottom of the page.

The Add Lexicon Item dialog box will open.

Step 4. Click on the Modality drop-down list and select US.



Step 5. Click on the Lexicon Text section, and type “High Velocity.”

Step 6. Click OK to save the lexicon value and exit.

When your users add a text annotation in the Image Viewer, this value will be available on a drop-down list for them to choose.

Plug-ins

The NovaPACS Diagnostic Viewer has Plug-ins options available to our users. Plug-ins are 3rd party applications that integrate with Novarad’s software to extend its functionality.



Users most commonly go to the Plug Ins tab to ensure the right dictation

provider is set to launch when using dictation.

Data Sources

Data Sources are the connection settings that allow the Diagnostic Viewer to communicate with the Database and Image Servers. Data Sources are the primary source from which images are downloaded.

Users most commonly go to the Data Sources tab to set up their

automatic login options for the data source. Selecting the option to

“automatically log in with ___” will allow users to bypass the login

dialog for the datasource when they log into NovaPACS.

W/L Presets

The W/L Presets function enables your users to specify window/level preset values for each modality when using the Image Viewer. The Image Viewer sets default W/L values for each modality that correspond in number with the F1-F12 keys on the keyboard.



Exercise 4.2.4 Adding W/L Presets The following exercise will demonstrate how to add W/L Presets.

Step 1. Open a study in the Image Viewer. Step 2. Right-click and drag the mouse to change the window/level value to a more accurate display level. Step 3. Return to the Study Browser, click on the Settings menu, and select W/L Presets.

The Configure Window/Level Presets dialog box will open.

Step 4. Click on the Modality drop-down list and select CT.



Step 5. Click on the W/L Preset drop-down list and select W/L Preset 11.

Step 6. Click on the Menu/Toolbar Name field and type “Bone 2.”

Step 7. Click on the Apply Current Window/Level button to apply your window/level changes as a new W/L Preset.

Step 8. Click OK to add the new W/L Preset.



Step 9. Open a CT study in the Image Viewer. Verify that your new W/L preset is displayed on the Default Window/Level Toolbar in the Image Viewer with the name “Bone 2.”

Section 4.3 Customizing Toolbars

The Study Browser and Image Viewer toolbars can be customized to include frequently used functions. You and your users can add or remove toolbar items and reorder the items. The Study Browser has a Custom Toolbar that can be customized to contain frequently used menu items, and all of the toolbars in the Image Viewer can be customized. Your users can even create their own toolbars for the Image Viewer using menu items.

Study Browser’s Custom Toolbar

The Study Browser has one toolbar that can be customized to a user’s specific needs—the Custom Toolbar. To add menu items to the Custom Toolbar, your users can right-click on the toolbar and select the Customize… option.

Or they can click on the Settings menu and select Customize Toolbars.



Image Viewer Toolbars

The Image Viewer’s toolbars can all be customized to the user’s preferences. To add menu items to the Image Viewer toolbars, your users can right-click on any toolbar and select the Customize... option, or click on the main Menu and select Customize Toolbars….



Exercise 4.3.1 Customizing Toolbar Items The following exercise will demonstrate how to customize toolbar items for the Study Browser and Image Viewer.

Step 1. Click on the Settings menu on the Study Browser’s main toolbar and select Customize Toolbar…

You can also right-click on any part of the Study Browser’s Custom Toolbar and select the Customize… option.

The Custom Toolbars dialog box will open.

Step 2. In the Available Items section, expand the Study menu by clicking the plus (+) sign next to it.



Step 3. Select the Manage Report Workflow menu item.

Step 4. Click on the Add button to add it to the Current toolbar items list.



Step 5. Click on the Manage Report Workflow option now on the Current toolbar items list to select it, and click on the Move Up button to the right of the window to move the order of the new toolbar button.

Step 5. Click OK when finished.

The new toolbar button will appear on the Study Browser’s Custom Toolbar.



Section 4.4 Customizing Other Options

In the Study Browser’s Options page, your users can select from many options that make accessing study, patient, and other information easy when opening studies. The following sections describe the most common options used in conjunction with opening studies.

Auto-hide Study Browser

If a user is using a two monitor configuration, they may want to hide the Study Browser when interacting with the Image Viewer. The Auto-hide Study Browser option hides the Study Browser window from view when the mouse cursor is moved off of the window, and restores it when the mouse cursor is moved to the far left or right edge of the Image Viewer window.

If the Auto-hide Study Browser option is not selected, the Study Browser

window will not automatically appear when the mouse cursor is moved

to the far left or right edge of the Image Viewer window.

Auto-checkout Studies when they are Opened

When you have multiple radiologists reading studies at the same time, you will want to make sure studies are checked out when they are opened so they are not being read by multiple users simultaneously. Also, if your users are using their Assigned Worklists with the search filter status set to “New,” any checked out studies will drop off their worklists automatically when checked out.

The Auto-checkout Studies when they are Opened option will set the status of a study to Checked Out when it is opened in the Image Viewer.



Auto-review Studies when they are Closed

When radiologists are finished reading a study, they will want it marked “Reviewed.” They can mark studies reviewed manually, or they can select the Auto-review Studies when they are Closed option to automatically set the status of a study to Reviewed when it is closed. This option is available when Auto-checkout Studies when they are Opened is selected.

Prompt Before Marking a Study Reviewed

If your users have the Auto-review Studies when they are Closed option selected, they may inadvertently close a study that has not been fully reviewed. Rather than marking the study reviewed automatically, users can select the option to Prompt before Marking a Study Reviewed , which will prompt users that the study is about to be marked as Reviewed, asking if the user is sure they want the study marked reviewed. This option is available when the Auto-checkout Studies when they are Opened and the Auto-review Studies when they are Closed options are both selected.

If you close all your workspaces, you will receive a prompt to mark each

currently open study Reviewed.



Open a New Workspace for Each Patient

Radiologist may need to open other patients’ studies when they are currently reading a study. Rather than closing out the first study and opening the new study in the Image Viewer, users have the ability to open multiple studies simultaneously. Instead of using one workspace for all studies, the additional studies opened will open in their own workspaces by using the Open a New Workspace for Each Patient option.

Display Older Related Studies When Opening a Study

The Display Older Related Studies when Opening a Study option opens up previous studies along with the selected study in the Image Viewer if applicable. The current study and prior study will display side-by-side with a study split by default.

Older studies are considered Older Related Studies (priors) are

determined by matching Anatomical Areas.



Show Patient History When Opening a Study

Your radiologists will typically want to access and view their patients’ prior studies along with their current study. They can access and open prior studies from the Patient History list in the Study Browser, or they can select the option to Show Patient History when Opening a Study option, which will open a Patient History list in the Image Viewer for radiologists to view and open studies from.

Show Study Notes When Opening a Study

Technologists can add notes to a study in the Image Viewer for the radiologists to see when they are reviewing the study. For example, technologists may want to note any physical appearance of the affected area or patient pain behavior during the exam. By selecting the Show Study Notes when Opening a Study option, any available study notes will display in a dialog box when a study is opened in the Image Viewer.



Show Other Users’ Annotations

Studies will typically be read by only one radiologist. However, if multiple radiologists review a study and all create annotations on images, they may want to see each other’s’ annotations. The Show Other Users’ Annotations option will show all annotations created for a study, from all users. If this option is not selected, then your users will only be able to see their own annotations on studies.

Reset Filters When Opening the Study Browser

The NovaPACS Diagnostic Viewer saves the last search filter settings used by default when users log in. However, your users may not want search filters set to their last search criteria. The Reset Filters when Opening the Study Browser option will reset the search filters back to default settings every time the Study Browser is opened.

Show Only the Most Recent Study for Each Patient in Filtered Studies

There are a few ways studies can be displayed in the Study Browser’s Filtered Studies list: listing all studies for each patient and listing only the most recent study for each patient. The Show Only the Most Recent Study for Each Patient in Filtered Studies option shows only the most recent study for each patient in the Filtered Studies list in the Study Browser window. Any additional studies for the patient can be located in the Study Browser’s Patient History list instead.



If this option is not selected, all studies for each patient will appear in

the Filtered Studies list.

Always Sort Filtered Studies by Priority

If you have the Filtered Studies list set to show all studies for each patient, it may be difficult to distinguish the studies by their priority. The Always Sort Filtered Studies by Priority option sorts studies by highest priority in the Filtered Studies list in the Study Browser window.

STAT exams will always appear at the top of the list and in red text,

regardless of this option.

Reset Cursor When Closing a Study

When your radiologists are performing annotations on images in the Image Viewer, the cursor will retain the annotation cursor being used. The Reset Cursor when Closing a Study option will reset the mouse cursor back to the default settings if a study is closed while annotating. If this option is not selected, the mouse cursor will retain the same settings that it was using when the previous study was closed.



Prompt Before Marking a Study Reviewed if it has not been Completely Viewed

The Prompt Before Marking a Study Reviewed if it has not Been Completely Reviewed option prompts users with a dialog box stating that all of the images in the study have not been viewed, asking if the user is sure they want the study marked reviewed.



Prompt Before Closing the Application

If the wrong exit button is pressed, the user may accidentally exit when they don’t want to close the application. The Prompt Before Closing the Application option prompts users asking if they are sure they want to close the entire Diagnostic Viewer when exiting.

Prompt Before Clearing the Worklist

If your users are working with their Assigned Worklist, they may select their Clear Worklist option. They may want to select the Prompt Before Clearing the Worklist option, which will prompt users asking if they are sure they want to clear the Worklist.



Refresh Study Browser Automatically When Idle

Information is constantly coming in from modalities where studies are being performed. To always have the most current information available, your users can select the Refresh Study Browser when Idle option, which will automatically refresh the Study Browser lists every 60 seconds when the user is idle.

The auto-refresh feature begins after the first minute of user idle time.

Contact Novarad’s Technical Support to change the length of the idle

time before auto-refresh begins in the Study Browser.

Show RIS Information When Opening a Study

To display any available RIS information with a study, your users can select the Show RIS Information when Opening a Study option, which brings up a RIS Information page in the Image Viewer when a study is opened.

Users have the ability to select the time period they want the RIS Information dialog to display by selecting the Fade away after this many seconds checkbox and setting a number.



Show Exam Report When Opening a Study

The Show Exam Report when Opening a Study option brings up the RIS exam report (if available) in the Image Viewer when a study is opened.

If your users are opening a current and prior study together (Open older related studies or Open + Old), both exam reports will open if available.





Lesson 4 Review


1. Which of the following statements best describes Saved Filters? a. A Saved Filter saves the configuration of filters as set up by the user. b. A Saved Filter saves the configuration of filters and data as set up by

the user. c. A Saved Filter saves the list of patient studies at a given point. d. A Saved Filter is a filter configuration that can be used by any logged

in user as necessary.

2. What is the process for adding a column to the Filtered Studies list? a. Right-click the Search tab and select the desired attribute from the

menu. b. Right-click anywhere in the column header section and click the

desired attribute from the menu. c. Double-click the location where you wish to insert the new column

and click the desired attribute from the menu. d. Choose the Customize Filtered Studies list from the Settings menu.

3. What is the best method for accessing frequently used menu functions for a

specific modality? a. Customize the Image Context Menu to contain frequently used

functions. b. Add all frequently used functions to the Quick Reference Toolbar. c. Click on the Image Viewer’s main menu and select the Study, Series,

or Image menus.

4. Complete the following statement: _____________ display patient, study, series, and/or image identification directly on images.

5. Any default hotkeys set for Image Viewer functions can be seen next to the

function’s name on the Image Viewer menus. a. True b. False

6. Users can change the location for any toolbar in the Image Viewer.

a. True b. False


PACSADMIN-02-2013 ©Copyright Novarad 2013 Lesson 5: Common Radiologist Workflow 108

Lesson 5: Common Radiologist Workflow


Understand the most commonly used functions and actions that make up a radiologist’s workflow

After having learned many of the functions of NovaPACS, it is helpful for you, as a PACS Administrator, to understand how these functions work together to help radiologists review studies and create reports as part of their workflow. The following sections highlight the most commonly used radiologist functions.

Searching for Studies

Radiologists will log into NovaPACS and use the Study Browser to locate the studies they need to read. They can either search for studies using the Search tab, or work off of the customized Assigned or Advanced worklist tabs.

Opening Studies

Studies can be opened in the Image Viewer using a variety of methods, depending on Radiologists’ preferences. Your users can double-click studies, use menu or toolbar items, right-click and access options, or even use hotkeys to open studies. Make sure you invest the time to help our Radiologists understand all of the options and to determine which methods they are likely to use in the future.

Navigating Through Studies

In the Image Viewer, Radiologists will navigate through the images in each series, and also navigate between the available series in the patient’s study. Series and image navigation can be mapped to mouse functions such as left-click and drag and scrolling the mouse wheel.



Dictating

As Radiologists review series and images in the study, they will dictate the patient’s diagnostic report. Dictation can be activated from a hotkey on the keyboard, a button on the recording device being used with dictation, or even a menu item in NovaPACS.

Annotating

Radiologists may perform annotations on images as they review and dictate studies. They can mark areas of concern, measure different areas for diagnoses, label areas of an image, etc. Having a good understanding all of the options inherent to the annotation features, will help you to provide better support for your Radiologists when they start asking annotation related questions. Spend some extra time exploring and getting to know the options.



Lesson 5 Review


1. Which of the following methods will open a study from the Study Browser into the Image Viewer?

a. Hotkeys b. Right-click menus c. The Enter key when a study is selected d. Toolbar buttons e. StudyOpen when a study is selected f. Using the File menu g. Double-clicking on a study h. All of the above???

2. Radiologists can use their Assigned or Advanced worklists to save time and

work through set lists of studies. a. True b. False


Dictation is most commonly launched using a ______________.


Radiologists may perform ______________ on images as they review and dictate studies.


PACSADMIN-02-2013 ©Copyright Novarad 2013 Lesson 6: Common Technologist Workflow 111

Lesson 6: Common Technologist Workflow


Understand the most commonly used functions and actions that make up a technologist’s workflow

After having learned many of the functions within NovaPACS, it is helpful for you, as a PACS Administrator, to understand how these functions work together to help technologists work with NovaPACS during their workflow. The following sections highlight the most commonly used technologist functions.

Importing Patient CDs

In some cases, a patient coming in for an exam will bring a CD containing a prior study. Your technologists can import the study/studies from the patient CD into NovaPACS for the radiologist to review using the Open from File menu item.

Adding Notes to a Study

Your technologists can add notes to a study for other NovaPACS users to view as part of the patient’s study. Notes can be added and/or accessed using a hotkey or the Notes menu item in the Image Viewer.



Notes added to a study will not print, will not be part of the patient’s

medical record, and will not burn to a patient CD/DVD. These are

internal use only notes for NovaPACS users.

Marking a Study Verified

Technologists can review a finished study’s images and settings and mark it Verified for their radiologists. This lets the radiologists know that the study is ready to be reviewed.

Marking a Study Scan Complete

Your technologists will need to manually mark their studies Scan Complete to notify NovaRIS or any other systems that the procedure has been completed.



Procedures marked Scan Complete will move in NovaRIS from the Scan

Started procedure status to the Scan Completed procedure status. Any

HL7 messages set to trigger at Scan Completed will then be sent.

Burning a Patient CD/DVD

Technologists with CD/DVD burning ability on their workstation can use the Patient CD/DVD option to burn entire patient studies or selected series to a CD or DVD.



Routing Studies

Your technologists can manually route selected studies to a computer or facility if they need to be send and there are no route rules previously set up for that situation. For example, if a radiologist is reading using TPS and the studies have not been sent with an auto route rule, technologists can manually send the studies to TPS.



Lesson 6 Review


1. Studies from a CD/DVD can be opened in NovaPACS if they are in .dcm format.

a. True b. False

2. Technologist notes are a permanent part of a patient’s study and will be

included on a Patient CD/DVD if one is created for the study. a. True b. False

3. Please complete the following statement:

Radiologists typically look for a _______________ study status in NovaPACS, signifying that the technologist is finished with the study and it is ready for review.

4. Marking a study Scan Complete changes the procedure status in NovaPACS.

a. True b. False

5. When a technologist is burning a patient CD/DVD, the patient’s entire study

will always be burned to the CD/DVD. a. True b. False


PACSADMIN-02-2013 ©Copyright Novarad 2013 Lesson 7: Common Admin Functions 116

Lesson 7: Common Admin Functions


Understand the most commonly used functions and actions that you will use as a PACS Administrator

After having learned many of the functions of NovaPACS, it is helpful for you, as a PACS Administrator, to understand the most commonly used functions as part of your setup and workflow.

Customizing Toolbars

As an Administrator, you can set up the Study Browser’s Custom Toolbar and the Image Viewer toolbars to contain any necessary menu items for your users. You can save these as part of the preferences for selected roles, so all your users of that role will have access to those toolbar settings.

Customizing Hotkeys

The most commonly used features in the Study Browser and Image Viewer come preconfigured with default hotkey settings. However, these default settings can be customized and menu items without a hotkey assigned can be customized as well. As an Administrator, you can configure the hotkey settings for your users and save them as default preferences for each role.



Hotkey settings for menu functions are listed next to menu item names

in the drop-down lists.

Configuring Monitors

As an Administrator, you can select and configure which monitors to use for displaying images. Monitors properly connected to your user’s computer will appear in the Configure Monitors window as numbered rectangles. You can select any monitor or combination of monitors by clicking on the rectangles.



Saving Preferences

The Save as Default Preferences option allows you, as an Administrator, to save preferences for all future users of a selected role on the NovaPACS server. You can configure all of the Study Browser and Image Viewer custom settings such as hotkeys, toolbars, list customizations, etc., and save the settings as the Basic, Normal, or Advanced preferences for a specified role.

Only Administrators can alter Default User Preferences. It is important to remember that all settings including buttons, hotkeys, CD burning preferences, and the general layout of the windows that you set will be the default settings for all of your users of that selected role.



Resetting Preferences

The Reset Preferences function allows your users to reset user preferences to the basic, normal, or advanced preferences for that role.

The Diagnostic Viewer will permanently overwrite any settings that have been changed in the Study Browser and Image Viewer when the Reset Preferences function is selected. Users will receive a warning prompt before resetting the preferences to ensure they really want to reset their preferences.



Lesson 7 Review


1. Only hotkey and mouse settings are saved as customizations for saved user preferences.

a. True b. False

2. Default settings for hotkeys can be changed and customized.

a. True b. False

3. Please complete the following statement:

Administrators can configure which ________________ to use for displaying the Study Browser and Image Viewer.

4. Administrators can do which of the following for user preferences:

a. Save as Default Preferences b. Reset Preferences c. Customize individual users’ preferences d. Import preference files e. Export preference files