An electronic tool has significantly improved the screening and management of stroke patients eligible for research studies at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The stroke trial tracker, designed to replace a time-consuming and error-prone manual system, leverages existing hospital IT systems to automate patient data retrieval and screening against clinical trial criteria.
Streamlining the Screening Process
Previously, manually reviewing patient records against multiple trial inclusion/exclusion criteria took an average of six minutes per patient, totaling six hours of nursing time weekly. The new electronic tool has slashed this time by over 80%, reducing it to just one hour per week. This efficiency gain allows nurses to dedicate more time to patient recruitment and engagement, ultimately increasing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical trials.
Key Features and Functionality
The stroke trial tracker uses bespoke algorithms to simultaneously screen patients for multiple research studies. By inputting four to five key inclusion variables, merged with extracted electronic patient demographic data, the system provides an accurate and automatic audit trail of screened patients, information given, and consent status. Features include central data storage, built-in action alerts, an automatic scheduling assistant, a document repository, and report generation.
Impact on Efficiency and Accuracy
The implementation of the stroke trial tracker has not only saved time but also reduced human error and improved overall efficiency. The system ensures that patients are not approached multiple times by different team members and enhances team communication by providing remote access to a definitive patient record. Staff satisfaction feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with all team members preferring the electronic system over the previous manual process.
National Interest and Future Expansion
A survey of 50 UK stroke centers revealed that 94% actively screen patients for research study eligibility, with a third spending three to five hours weekly on screening. Around 80% of participants expressed interest in using a different system if it saved time. The authors are now working to extend the trial tracker to other areas within Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and exploring opportunities for wider adoption across other NHS facilities.
Modular Design for Broad Application
The tool's modular design allows for flexible application in various clinical areas beyond stroke research. Aspects of the application are already being used in other areas of the trust, including dementia research. The authors are collaborating with the Clinical Research and Innovation Office and the Medipex Healthcare Innovation Hub to explore opportunities for distributing the tool outside the trust, potentially benefiting numerous healthcare organizations and research teams.
