From the Second Quarter 2019 TMIST Study Updates Newsletter
Posted July 2, 2019
Launching a large clinical trial can present challenges for the research staff and physicians at any site. With that in mind, Reed G. Selwyn, PhD, DABR, Vice Chair for Research and Imaging Sciences, and his team at the University of New Mexico (UNM), outline below how UNM (NM004) started their TMIST participation.
While different institutions and settings of care may use different approaches, the TMIST study leaders will continue to share with the TMIST community tactics and strategies that are working for your TMIST colleagues. We hope that you will consider implementing these or similar methods at your site to optimize your participation in the trial.
Selecting the team
The first step was to identify the key stakeholders from each institution and department. This was the only way we were able to move TMIST forward. We called on the following institutions and departments to execute this trial:
UNM’s TMIST Team. Back row (L-R): Tabitha Kirkendall, MPH; Jesse Bock, BA; Meaghan Carey-Eiland, DNP, RN, CEN, NE-BC; Sariat Ibrahim; Chandra Gerrard, MPH, BS, RT(R)(CT)(MR)(QM); Ursa Brown-Glaberman, MD; Raina Mendoza, BS, RT(R)(M), ARRT. Front row (L-R) Reed Selwyn, PhD, DABR; Eli Torrez; Aide Atayde-Law, RT(R)(M); Jennifer Saline, MD; Karen Roybal, Clinical Analyst II; Wendy Hine, PhD, MS, MBA. Photo Credit: RuthAnne Bump
Image transfer
Identifying participants and workflow
Imaging workflow
We had originally developed an internal guide for adding randomization information to the mammography order. This was for the radiology research coordinators to use in the EMR. This process required all randomization information to be available to radiology at least 72 hours prior to the person’s scheduled exam. This became cumbersome and difficult for the cancer center research coordinator to execute in the ~three-week timeline. After several months of slowly ramping up the number of participants, we moved to a more streamlined ‘same-day’ workflow.
Same-day workflow
Same-day workflow allows participants to receive randomization by cancer center research coordinators on the day of their scheduled mammogram. The cancer center research coordinator completes an index card with the randomization information, escorts the participant to the mammography department and works with the mammography schedulers to add the randomization information into the Cerner system. The cancer center research coordinator hand-delivers the index card to the mammography technologist so they have a visual queue that the patient is enrolled in TMIST.
Radiologist dictation workflow
Ongoing QC
Editor’s Note to Participating Sites: Through the new quarterly e-newsletter, the TMIST team will continue to bring to you strategies and tactics that you might consider implementing at your own institution. We strongly encourage all TMIST site physicians and staff to consider submitting your own experiences for this regular series of helpful articles. If interested, please send an email to the TMIST staff.
TMIST is publicly funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, through the NCI Community Oncology Research Program.
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