13 Aug 20. ACTATS milestone

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ACTATS launched on 07 May 2020 in anticipation of Scotland’s nation-wide thrombectomy service starting up.

To date, 1019 users have registered. 60 have completed all training components, which makes them eligible for 7 CPD credits, in accordance with the CPD Scheme of the Royal College of Radiologists.

Over 90% of the registrants who have completed the ACTATS training tool agreed that they feel more confident assessing CTA scans for intracranial thrombosis.

Background

Thrombectomy for acute stroke treatment is a service which is being rolled out worldwide, following the findings of several clinical trials. Radiology department proficiency at CT Angiography (CTA) will underpin the thrombectomy diagnostic & triage pathways.

To help meet radiology department proficiency goals, Medtronic & NHS National Services Scotland supported creation of a CTA training tool: the Acute CTA for Thrombectomy in Stroke (ACTATS) training tool.

Educational development grants, awarded to the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Imaging Academy (EIA), enabled creation of ACTATS, designed for radiologists & stroke physicians to improve their CTA evaluation & interpretation skills.

Registration is free thanks to the support of Medtronic & NHS National Services Scotland. The training tool consists of three didactic lectures, with MCQs to test learning from the didactic lectures; a series of 30 validated, plain CT & CTA stroke cases for practice; a five question feedback survey to help us improve the training tool; & a certificate of completion.

ACTATS is suitable for any radiologists or stroke physicians worldwide, who have an interest in improving their CTA evaluation & interpretation skills. We encourage anyone involved with thrombectomy & imaging to enroll & to complete the training.