Top 10 FAQs

1. What is the difference between a registration code and a team code? 

The 'Registration Code' for each team that you are registering for can be provided by the Lead Contact and Second Lead Contact of each team (to be found in the 'User Profile' area of the webtool of these lead contacts).

The registration code is for security purposes so that only approved users can access the team. The Registration Code will be 6 characters and is unique to every team.

The 'Team Code' is an identifier and 3 digits for inpatient teams and 4 characters for non-inpatient teams.

2. Which team’s responsibility is it to start the SSNAP record if the patient receives intra-arterial intervention?

The admitting team should start the record on SSNAP.

The only instance that the admitting team should not start the record on SSNAP is if the patient receives an intra-arterial intervention (IAT).

If the patient is admitted to a team and subsequently receives IA intervention at the same team then the record should be started as normal by the admitting hospital.

If a patient first presents at one hospital but is then transferred to another specialist IA intervention centre it should be the specialist IA centre that starts the SSNAP record*. Data taken from the point of arrival at the first hospital should be shared with the specialist IA centre, this will most likely comprise of: 

• Time of arrival at the first hospital 
• Scan time
• NIHSS on arrival
• Times of any other specialist assessments performed

The team performing the thrombectomy should enter this data as if the patient first arrived at their team. We understand that teams that refer patients for thrombectomy off site will be concerned that these patients will not be included in their team-centred 72-hour results. However, it is worth reiterating that it is expected that the number of cases will be small. If such patients are transferred back to the first hospital within 72 hours, then the record will be analysed for both teams in the patient-centred 72 hour results.

*If a patient first presents at one hospital but is then transferred to another specialist IA intervention centre, but subsequently does not receive IA intervention, the record can be started as normal by the admitting team. 

3. How do I view my current expected cases?

To view your current expected cases, follow this link once logged into the SSNAP webtool, and download "Expected cases".

Note: Only routinely admitting teams (teams which directly admit the majority of their patients) will have an expected number of cases. For more information on Case Ascertainment click here.

4. Should we record uncompleted, abandoned, or discontinued thrombectomies on SSNAP?

If the procedure got to the point of groin puncture then this should be recorded as normal, even if the procedure failed, was abandoned or was discontinued.

If the device was not deployed, then please record in 2.11.6(b). 

5. What happens if a patient has a stroke abroad?

Unfortunately, records can only be started at the beginning of the pathway and cannot be started by teams later. Patients who suffered a stroke overseas and were transferred to a UK hospital cannot be entered on SSNAP. 

If the patient is from overseas or has no fixed abode (and has a stroke in the UK) please enter the following into the postcode field: ZZ11 1ZZ.

6. How do I export data from SSNAP?

You can find the export option in Clinical > Export.

A comprehensive guide is available here.

7. How is case ascertainment calculated?

For routinely admitting acute teams (teams which directly admit the majority of their patients), case ascertainment is calculated based on the proportion of patient admissions (locked to 72 hours) AND proportion of discharges (locked to discharge or transferred to another team) against their expected number of cases in any one reporting period. The average of these two percentages is then used for the overall case ascertainment banding.

For non-routinely admitting teams, a proxy has been generated comparing the number of patients arriving at a team with the number of patients leaving the team in a reporting period. For further information, see our case ascertainment area here.

8. How do I request an unlock or deletion?

Unlocks should be requested through the webtool, click here for more information.

Deletions should be requested through the webtool, click here for more information.  

9. How do I revoke a record? 

Please try and revoke the request through the webtool. If this is not possible because the next team has entered data, please get permission from the next team before sending the revoke request to SSNAP.

To find detailed information on how to revoke a record, click here.

10. Can the SSNAP team register new users?

The SSNAP team are unable to register individuals. New users must register using this link.