The eSOURCE-READINESS ASSESSMENT TOOL (eSRA)

The tool contains questions based on regulations and regulatory agency guidelines for clinical research data sources and should be used to evaluate the suitability of an Investigator Site computerized system to provide data for clinical trials. An eClinical Forum team, comprised of CRAs and Data Managers from different clinical research sponsor organizations and CROs and representatives from sites, has produced the "eSource-Readiness Assessment", otherwise known as "eSRA" for sites to perform a self-assessment of their computerized system's ability to be compliant with clinical research regulations.

Clinical research draws on a combination of data collected during a clinical trial and historical medical information relating to the research subject(s). Many of the data points needed for clinical research are originating in Electronic Health Record Systems, making them "eSource" for clinical research. Even if these data points are not used directly from the site's healthcare system, but are re-entered into a Sponsor's system for a clinical trial, the source of the information (the healthcare system) must still be confirmed as compliant with standards set forth in clinical research regulations and applicable guidance documents.

The eSRA Questionnaire Version 2024 can be downloaded as part of the eSRA Handbook below.  (This version incorporates changes based on the EMA Guideline on computerised systems and electronic data in clinical trials.)

Notice to those intending to include eSRA in their own materials: Copyrighted by the eClinical Forum 2024. The eClinical Forum keeps all rights of this material. Please see the License for Fair Use in the eSRA Handbook and “Implementing eSRA” Guide. We welcome eSRA to be used in other formats, however, it is required that eSRA text be used exactly, that all eSRA questions are included, that your use of eSRA is updated when eCF eSRA is updated, and that eClinical Forum is notified in writing and credited. By using these materials, you acknowledge the terms and conditions for use.  The eClinical Forum is only responsible for the eSRA materials as distributed via the eClinical Forum website. If using the eCF form, downloaded from this website, in it's original format, there is no need to notify eCF.

Stay Current!!

As new regulations are released or updated, the eClinical Forum will evaluate if the eSRA questions should be updated. To be notified of future releases of the eSRA Questionnaire, please send an email to eSRA@eClinicalForum.org. Your email address will not be used for purposes other than to inform you of updates to eSRA.

Sponsors & CROS -- Please take our very brief survey regarding how you are using eSRA.  This will help us improve eSRA. Survey link: eCF eSRA Survey (eclinicalforum.org) THANK YOU!!!

Do we keep a list of sites that have completed eSRAs?

We have frequently been asked if we can provide a list of which sites have already completed an eSRA. Due to privacy laws in different countries, eClinical Forum does not keep such a list. We supply the eSRA questionnaire, free of charge, to anyone who wants to use it. We encourage sponsors to keep a list for themselves of which sites they have received a completed eSRA from. We encourage sites to store their completed eSRA in a central location (such as their IT department) so that other groups within the same organization / using the same electronic healthcare system, can use the completed eSRA as a basis to complete their own eSRA.

eSRA RESOURCES – Scroll to see all resources

eCF Requirements for Electronic Data for Regulated Clinical Trials PR2023

Published on 24 March 2024

eCF Requirements for Electronic Data for Regulated Clinical Trials PR2023

24 March 2024 Public Release

The eClinical Forum is happy to announce the Public release of the "eCF Requirements for Electronic Data for Regulated Clinical Trials PR2023.1"

ABOUT THE ECF REQUIREMENTS:  The eClinical Forum has produced a set of Requirements, which are based upon statements in regulatory documents that pertain to the design, development, implementation, and management of electronic systems that support clinical research data as well as those statements that pertain to the handling of data that will be used in a regulated clinical trial.  We have reviewed regulatory documents from the FDA, EMA, PMDA, NMPA, MHRA and ICH to produce this set of requirements. Each Requirement has as its basis one or more statements from one or more of these regulatory documents. The Requirements can be used to determine if systems, that source or manage data which will become part of a regulated clinical trial, are consistent with regulatory requirements and if systems and process that manage these data have the necessary features.

This is a significant accomplishment by the eClinical Forum’s “Regulatory Expert Group” (REG) as they have put in countless hours over several years to be able to produce such a comprehensive list of compliance requirements for evaluating electronic systems that will manage data used in regulated clinical research against regulations and guidances from FDA, EMA, PMDA, NMPA, MHRA and ICH.  This work is a result of the vast experience of the REG members who come from a variety of different eCF Member companies. They have spent hours debating each regulation or guidance and how to word the eCF Requirements to correctly meet the needs in the regulatory document.  If any one company were to undertake such a project, the hours spent would justify an eClinical Forum membership very quickly.

This release, PR2023.1 is for Public Use

The 2023.1 Version document is being released to the public as we believe that it will be of significant use to all.  

At this time, the most current version (2023.3) of the eCF Requirements is reserved for eClinical Forum members only.  This was released in Nov 2023 and incorporates requirements from the EMA Guideline on computerised systems and data in clinical trials (effective date 7 September 2023). 

For information on becoming an eClinical Forum member (and thus having access to the eCF Requirements V2023.3, which has significant updates), please see membership details at www.eclinicalforum.org/membership or send us a note at info@eclinicalforum.org and we will be happy to set up a phone meeting to discuss all the benefits that come to an organization through membership. Please note – membership is by organization only; there are no individual membership options.

The eCF has also produced a questionnaire, based on the eCF Requirements, that can be used for sites to assess if their EHR/EMR systems are suitable for originating data that could be used in a regulated clinical trial. This free tool is called “eSRA” for “eSource-Readiness Assessment” and can be downloaded from the eClinical Forum website in the eSRA tab.  

The eCF REG absolutely welcomes feedback. Please send feedback to REG@eclinicalforum.org

 

 

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