Maximizing efficiency and cost savings with EDC Systems in clinical research

A Digital EDC System Costs Money, But It Also Saves Money

Nobody wants to manage everything on paper during a clinical trial. It’s time-consuming, error-prone, and accessing data is cumbersome at best. However, research by Chakraborty et al. (2022) shows that many research institutions and CROs still face barriers to adopting Electronic Data Capture (EDC). The two most frequently cited reasons are cost and anticipated technical support. In this blog, we explore the costs associated with implementing a digital EDC system in clinical research.

Misconception: An EDC System Costs Money

It’s logical that clinical research budgets are not unlimited, but cost remains a significant reason for not using an EDC system. According to the study by Chakraborty et al. (2022), the use of eCRFs can actually reduce costs by 49 to 62%. Thus, the expenditure pays for itself. Moreover, using an Electronic Data Capture system provides numerous additional benefits.

The Benefits of Digital EDC Systems in Clinical Studies

Research by Sahoo & Bhatt (2004) has demonstrated several clear advantages of an EDC system over traditional paper-based methods in clinical research:

1. Increased Data Reliability

EDC systems minimize human errors through real-time and automatic data validation. For instance, if you accidentally enter an implausible age like 150 years, the system will flag this and prompt you to correct it. EDC systems ensure that everyone follows the same rules for data entry, making the data consistent, accurate, and reliable. This reduces the need for manual data checking and cleaning, as it automatically excludes patients with incorrect or incomplete data from the analysis.

2. Improved Efficiency Leads to Faster Results

By collecting data digitally in a centralized location, many processes in the clinical study are accelerated. Researchers can gather, analyze, and report data more quickly, saving significant time and effort. This efficiency arises from reduced work with form retrieval, correction requests, and resolving data analyst queries.

3. Cost Savings Between 49 and 62%

The increased efficiency in processes speeds up the duration of clinical studies by weeks or even months. This reduces the total costs of the study. Therefore, using an EDC system is an investment that results in both time savings and cost reductions (Chakraborty et al., 2022).

4. Compliance with Regulations

An EDC system helps meet stringent regulatory requirements and simplifies external audits. The system includes detailed logs that record all data interactions. Every time data is entered, modified, or deleted, it is logged. This meticulous tracking allows auditors to more easily and quickly access the necessary information to verify that the clinical study was conducted correctly. Managing everything on paper can quickly become overwhelming and time-consuming during an audit.

5. Remote Access and Better Collaboration

With cloud-based EDC systems, researchers and clinical staff can view real-time status and access data remotely. This enhances collaboration and significantly simplifies the process of collecting patient data from multiple locations.

The Shift to a Digital EDC System is More Than a Technological Upgrade

It represents a paradigm shift in how clinical research is conducted. It enables Contract Research Organizations, academic institutions, and other organizations to conduct research faster, enter data accurately and consistently, and comply with stringent regulations. Additionally, it fosters collaboration with researchers around the world. All these benefits lead to better research and deeper insights into improving patient care. And the best part is, the investment pays for itself because it accelerates the processes.