The University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center (CU Cancer Center) and Flatiron Health have joined forces to revolutionize the efficiency of clinical trials by significantly reducing the administrative workload traditionally placed on researchers. By integrating Flatiron Clinical Pipe with the CU Cancer Center and UCHealth infrastructures, the collaboration aims to automate data transfer directly from electronic health records (EHRs) to electronic data capture (EDC) systems. This groundbreaking approach eliminates the need for manual data entry, thereby enhancing both speed and accuracy in clinical trial data management.
Advancements in Clinical Data Management
Streamlining Data Entry
Flatiron Clinical Pipe has already been deployed successfully in over 85 academic medical centers and community oncology sites, covering more than 300 locations across various regions. The system leverages Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) APIs to facilitate seamless integration with existing EHR and EDC systems, boasting an installation time of just 11 hours. Emily Akin, the Head of Research Network at Flatiron Health, underscores the transformative impact of this technology on data management processes. By removing the manual aspects of data entry, Clinical Pipe significantly alleviates the burden on trial site teams, enabling them to channel their efforts toward more critical aspects of clinical research. Moreover, the expedited data processing accelerates the overall timelines of studies, thus potentially shortening the path from discovery to patient treatment.
A peer-reviewed paper published by Flatiron Health offers compelling evidence of Clinical Pipe’s efficacy. The study revealed that the average completion time for a case report form (CRF) using Clinical Pipe was a mere 37 seconds, compared to 30 seconds or more per individual data point with manual entry. This remarkable efficiency boost facilitates the successful transfer of over 11,000 data points and nearly 1,000 CRFs, sharply highlighting the substantial time-saving benefits brought about by this innovative technology. As a result, researchers can manage and analyze data more swiftly, allowing for more timely and accurate research outcomes.
Enhancing Patient Care and Experience
Automating data entry processes with Clinical Pipe not only streamlines the administrative dimensions of clinical trials but also substantially enhances the care experience for participants. By enabling faster data entry and minimizing errors, the technology significantly reduces delays that typically hinder research progress. Quicker and more reliable data entry means that providers can allocate more meaningful time to patient interactions, enhancing the overall care experience for those participating in trials. In essence, this shift towards automation allows healthcare professionals to focus on what matters most: patient care and delivery of innovative treatments.
Furthermore, Clinical Pipe meets stringent security standards, including SOC-2 and HITRUST CSF certifications, while also complying with HIPAA and 21 CFR Part 11 regulations. The system ensures maximum privacy and protection of patient data through robust encryption mechanisms during both transfer and storage. By prioritizing data security and regulatory compliance, Clinical Pipe addresses a critical concern that often hampers the adoption of digital technologies in healthcare. This secure and efficient handling of sensitive data fosters trust among patients and researchers alike, thereby promoting wider acceptance and utilization of the technology.
Broadening Research Opportunities
Addressing Accessibility Challenges
One of the most significant challenges in clinical research is making trials accessible to a broad range of patients, often obstructed by cumbersome administrative hurdles. The introduction of Clinical Pipe into the CU Cancer Center and UCHealth infrastructure addresses these obstacles head-on. By simplifying operational challenges, the technology enables research institutions to manage a higher number of trials effectively. With reduced administrative tasks, research teams can dedicate more time and resources to patient recruitment and retention, thereby broadening the scope and reach of their clinical investigations.
The partnership’s ultimate goal is to expand patient accessibility to clinical trials. More efficient management of trial logistics means that more patients can potentially participate in groundbreaking research initiatives, leading to a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of cancer treatments. The enhanced efficiency in data handling allows researchers to conduct a higher volume of trials, thus accommodating more patients and varied demographic groups. This widened accessibility ensures that clinical research is more inclusive and reflective of diverse patient populations, yielding richer and more generalizable findings.
Future Implications
The integration of Clinical Pipe within the CU Cancer Center and UCHealth systems promises to set new standards in the way clinical trial data is handled, providing a more efficient, accurate, and patient-focused approach to cancer research. This partnership allows researchers to focus more on patient care and less on paperwork, ultimately benefiting the overall quality and speed of clinical trials.
