The newly developed electronic version of the Neurostatus-Expanded Disability Status Scale (Neurostatus-EDSS) replaces the traditional paper forms, which suffer from the typical associated issues, such as data inaccuracies and administration costs.
Its ability to streamline data collection via an electronic form, facilitates the capture of higher quality data and enables fast access to consistent data for further analysis.
The new electronic version allows Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) raters to review and track any inconsistencies in data entries and assessments at the click of a button. The EDSS rater can reconsider their scoring, because of a unique algorithm created by the University Hospital Basel (UHB), which identifies inconsistencies within the data.
Rachael Wyllie, CEO at CRF Health, said: “With the form already utilised in a number of clinical studies, the introduction of the electronic Neurostatus-EDSS documentation tool will facilitate much improved data collection for potential drugs for neurological conditions and significantly speed up the development process. CRF Health has recently provided the eCOA technology platform, which supported a top global pharmaceutical company in gaining FDA approval for a MS drug.”
The EDSS rater can communicate with an expert team at the UHB. Furthermore, the electronic Neurostatus-EDSS form was created with in-built explanatory notes and icons designed to assist raters. The need for them to refer to paper based guidance documents is eliminated, saving valuable time and allowing more time to focus on the patient and the assessment.
The Neurostatus-EDSS form along with the expert and rater interaction during the review process is all completed in the CRF Health TrialManager environment and all comments and score changes are fully audit trailed.
Dr Marcus D’Souza, Neurologist and Head of Neurostatus-UHB at the UHB, said: “We are delighted to have collaborated with CRF Health on this project to help create this electronic Neurostatus-EDSS assessment and documentation tool and are very much looking forward to seeing sponsors reap the benefits this new form promises for neurological clinical trials.”
CRF Health is a provider of patient centred eSource technology and service solutions for the life sciences industry.