South East Wales Trials Unit (SEWTU) implements eClinical to process multi-centre trials from across the UK and beyond
Organisation
The South East Wales Trials Unit (SEWTU) is based in Cardiff University and coordinates multi-centre trials across the UK and beyond. SEWTU aims to improve the quality of trials in health and social care. All trials and studies require careful planning and preparation in ensuring that sufficient and accurate data is collected to allow for detailed analysis of patients, medications, treatments and conditions. Results of trials and studies of this nature help provide a better understanding of health and medicine for all.
Challenge
Most trials and studies aim to have the largest data sampling possible to ensure the most representative results. Some recruit up to 20,000 or more patients from large geographical areas to provide feedback through questionnaires and surveys. Historically, quantities are limited by the amount of processing time and resources available to handle the volume of paper, to extract data and to organise it in a suitable manner that allows for thorough analysis. A system was required that could assist in the design, distribution, scanning, faxing, data validation and exports to existing databases. Looking further ahead, there will be increased amounts of electronic forms (online and email), therefore, the system must also be able to be flexible in the methods of form and data distribution and capture.TeleForm was used as the foundation of a form scanning system to capture questionnaires, patient feedback forms and CRFs. ePC was able to implement TeleForm to process the large volumes required and increase the possible throughput at SEWTU. As part of this implementation ePC have delivered tailored training and consultancy to assist SEWTU in achieving the greatest results with TeleForm. In addition, ePC were able to advise and implement fax server integration to reduce the physical amounts of paperwork received. Hospitals, patients and GPs can now fax forms directly in to the SEWTU solution removing the need to handle and scan the paper. The PDF Plus Forms module was also used to great effect allowing entire trials to be conducted with electronic, on-line PDF forms. Recipients can complete and submit forms using a unique hybrid of both paper and web/eMail forms.
Feedback
“The nature of clinical trials means that we need highly accurate
data to be captured from a large user-base in a timely manner. The
TeleForm solution, provided by ePartner Consulting Ltd, has allowed
SEWTU to expand its productivity with these objectives in mind”
John Evans - Information Manager at SEWTU,
Cardiff University, Wales
 Clinical trials forms with eClinical |