In today’s in-depth conversation, we delve into the evolving landscape of data management through EHR in clinical trials, focusing on groundbreaking strategies to mitigate data duplication. Dan Hydes, CEO of IgniteData, brings knowledge and firsthand experiences. We’ll navigate the intricacies of data management, uncovering the transformative approaches and technologies that are redefining the efficiency and accuracy of clinical trials.
Moe Alsumidaie: Strategies to Combat Data Duplication – What’s the Most Effective Approach?
Dan Hydes: Addressing data duplication requires a multifaceted approach. In our experience, particularly in oncology trials at prestigious institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering, replicating data from EHRs to EDCs has been a perennial challenge. At IgniteData, we initiated a project at a leading London hospital that led to the development of Archer, a breakthrough in reducing data duplication efforts. Archer exemplifies innovation by enabling the electronic data transfer of regulatory-grade data from a hospital’s EHR to a sponsor’s study database, mitigating errors, and reducing operational costs. By integrating systems, we have observed a significant improvement in data handling efficiency, illustrating the real-world impact of this technology.
Moe Alsumidaie: Overcoming the Challenge of Integrating EHR and EDC Systems
Dan Hydes: The integration of EHR and EDC systems is complex, particularly as interoperability is not fundamental to their design. Our solution at IgniteData, Archer, was designed to be vendor-agnostic, transforming the daunting many-to-many integration problem into a more manageable format. This approach allows seamless integration across diverse EHRs, such as Cerner and Epic, crucial for global clinical trials. For example, our implementation of Archer in these varied environments has demonstrated its adaptability and effectiveness in harmonizing data across different platforms, significantly enhancing data consistency and reliability.
Moe Alsumidaie: The Role of Technology in Enhancing Data Accuracy
Dan Hydes: Leveraging technology is key to enhancing data accuracy in clinical trials. Our platform at IgniteData, Archer, has achieved a remarkable 100% accuracy rate in data transfer, a quantum leap from the typical 5% error rate in manual processes. This accuracy is particularly crucial in repetitive tasks prone to human error. For instance, in a trial we conducted in collaboration with AstraZeneca, the precision of data transferred using Archer was evident, showcasing the platform’s capability to significantly reduce errors and enhance the reliability of clinical trial data.
Moe Alsumidaie: Addressing Interoperability with HL7 FHIR
Dan Hydes: Interoperability in clinical trials is a significant hurdle, and HL7 FHIR plays a crucial role in overcoming it. This standard is the linchpin of our solution, enabling Archer to integrate with various EHR systems efficiently. It’s this standard that has made the deployment of our solution across different technological landscapes feasible. For example, adopting HL7 FHIR in our systems has enabled seamless data exchange and compatibility, ensuring that data integrity is maintained regardless of the originating EHR platform.
Moe Alsumidaie: Navigating High Data Volumes in Oncology Trials
Dan Hydes: Managing high data volumes requires a nuanced approach, especially in complex fields like oncology. Initially, Archer focused on structured data fields, which form a considerable part of oncology trials. We are now expanding our focus to include converting unstructured data into structured formats and enhancing our ability to handle diverse data types. This expansion aims to convert unstructured data into structured formats, enhancing our ability to handle diverse data types. This development is particularly significant in oncology, where the variety and volume of data present unique challenges.
Moe Alsumidaie: Future Directions in Clinical Trial Data Management
Dan Hydes: Looking ahead, the evolution in the usage of EDC systems is a prominent trend in clinical trial data management. Technologies facilitating EHR to EDC integration, like our platform Archer, are at the forefront of this transformation. They aim to reduce the burden on trial sites, benefiting the sponsors and CROs’ ecosystems. Our focus on simplifying data management processes is a testament to our commitment to streamlining clinical trials, making them more efficient and accessible.
Moe Alsumidaie is Chief Editor of The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Moe holds decades of experience in the clinical trials industry. Moe also serves as Head of Research at CliniBiz and Chief Data Scientist at Annex Clinical Corporation.
