Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29145878›Full record

ArticleTrials2017

Improving readiness for recruitment through simulated trial activation: the Adjuvant Steroids in Adults with Pandemic influenza (ASAP) trial.

Wei Shen Lim, Garry Meakin, Clare Brittain, Thomas Bewick, Lelia Duley

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Trials, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Wei Shen LimRespiratory Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham, NG5 1 PB, England, UK. weishen.lim@nuh.nhs.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7694-3051
Garry MeakinNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, England, UK.
Clare BrittainNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, England, UK.
Thomas BewickRespiratory Medicine, Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Uttoxeter Rd, Derby, DE22 3NE, England, UK.
Lelia DuleyNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, England, UK.

Funding

Department of Health 11/46/14National Institute for Health Research 11/46/14
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResearch in public health emergencies requires trials to be set up in readiness for activation at short notice and in anticipation of limited timelines for patient recruitment. We conducted a simulated activation of a hibernating pandemic influenza clinical trial in order to test trial processes and to determine the value of such simulation in maintaining trial readiness.

methodsThe simulation involved the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, one participating hospital, one manufacturing unit and the Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) supplier. During the exercise, from 15 September 2015 to 2 December 2015, clinical staff at the participating site completed the trial training package, a volunteer acting as a patient was recruited to the study, 'dummy' IMP was prescribed and follow-up completed.

resultsSuccessful activation of the hibernating trial with patient recruitment within 4 weeks of 'arousal' as planned was demonstrated. A need for greater resilience in anticipation of staff absenteeism was identified, particularly in relation to key trial procedures where the potential for delay is high. A specific issue relating to the IMP Stock Control System was highlighted as a potential source of error that could compromise the randomisation sequence. The simulation exercise was well received by site investigators and increased their confidence in being able to meet the likely demands of the trial when activated. The estimated cost of the exercise was £1995; 90% of this being staff costs.

conclusionsSimulated activation is useful as a means to test, and prepare for, the rapid activation of 'hibernating' research studies. Whether simulation exercises can also help reduce waste in complex clinical trial research deserves further exploration.

trial registrationEudraCT Number 2013-001051-12, ISRCTN72331452 . Registered on 6 March 2013.

Indexed as

PandemicsPatient SelectionAdjuvants, ImmunologicAdultClinical Trials as TopicHumansInfluenza, HumanSteroidsAdjuvants, ImmunologicSteroidsClinical trialCorticosteroidsDelayHibernationInfluenzaPandemicSimulationTrial delivery

Identifiers

PMID29145878
PMCPMC5693476

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.