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

Published on 18 September 2024

Recording of eCF Public Webinar: Regulatory Requirements for Electronic Data/Systems for Clinical Trials, and associated site system assessments

The eClinical Forum provided a webinar on 18-Sep-2024 to provide information on our 3 free tools: The “eCF Requirements” (Requirements for electronic data for regulated clinical trials), eSRA (Site eSource-Readiness Assessment), and ISF (Investigator Site File System) Assessment. These tools are absolutely free to download as a service to the industry that we serve; we do not even collect email or other information.

“eCF Requirements” - The eClinical Forum has produced a set of Requirements, which are based upon statements in regulatory documents (FDA, EMA, PMDA, NMPA and ICH) that pertain to the design, development, implementation, and management of electronic systems that support clinical research data. Each Requirement has, as its basis, one or more statements from one or more of these regulatory documents. The eCF Requirements can be used to determine if systems are consistent with regulatory requirements, and if systems and process that manage these data have the necessary features.  This set of requirements is the result of countless hours of discussion among regulatory experts from the eClinical Forum member organizations over the past 15 years. It is updated annually.

“eSRA” – The eClinical Forum’s free Investigator Site self-assessment, of the readiness of their healthcare systems to originate data that could be used in a regulated clinical trial, is based on the eCF Requirements and thus each question is grounded on one or more regulatory document statements.  It is easy to access and easy to use and has been used by thousands of sites around the globe and many pharmaceutical sponsors and CROs since it’s launch in 2015. It is updated annually. 

“ISF System Assessment” – A sister assessment to eSRA, this assessment (also free to download from the eCF website), was launched in April 2024 and provides an assessment for sponsors to determine if a site’s Investigator Site File System (or “Site Trial Master System”) is appropriate for holding information for their regulated clinical trial.  It is also based on eCF Requirements/regulatory authority statements. It will be updated annually.

The public version of the eCF Requirements can be downloaded at: Public release of the "Requirements for Electronic Data for Regulated Clinical Trials" (commonly referred to as the “eCF Requirements”) (eclinicalforum.org)

The eSRA and ISF Assessments can be downloaded at: https://eclinicalforum.org/site-sys-assmts

To review the 37-min webinar or download the slides, please see below.

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