University of Utah selects Webridge Extranet to Automate Research Oversight Compliance Processes

Business Wire,  Sept 23, 2003  

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Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2003

Webridge Compliance Extranet to integrate Institutional Review

Board (IRB) and Conflict of Interest (COI) processes for biomedical

and behavioral research

Webridge, Inc., a leader in configurable web-based compliance systems, today announced that the University of Utah selected Webridge's Compliance Extranet software to automate their Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Conflict of Interest (COI) research oversight processes. The new applications will provide electronic submission and review of all new research studies involving human subjects. Expected results include streamlined data entry for researchers, faster IRB review cycles, and improved communication between compliance organizations.

Focus on Investigator Efficiency

One of the primary drivers for the University of Utah IRB automation project is to streamline the interactions for their researchers. The Webridge application guides the researcher through the entire process, enabling information to be input correctly the first time, and storing information in a central secure database.

"We pride ourselves on the quality and timeliness of services we provide the researchers at the University," explained Dr. Jeffrey Botkin, associate vice president for research integrity at the University of Utah. "The Webridge Compliance Extranet allows us to enhance the quality of new research applications, while at the same time eliminating redundant data input by researchers. Anyone with the proper security can instantly check the status of a research study in the system, reducing phone inquiries and removing information bottlenecks."

The Webridge Compliance Extranet is a completely web-based application that is accessed via standard browsers on PCs, Macs, or Unix workstations. An integrated security architecture enables fine-grained control over sensitive research information. For example, related compliance committees including Radiation, BioSafety, and Cancer can easily be granted access to the studies that require their review. Security can be based upon departments, roles, user IDs, or specific data entered by the researcher.

The University of Utah will leverage Webridge's innovative SmartForms(TM) technology, enabling investigators to create new IRB submissions correctly through an interactive forms-based interview, eliminating costly errors and delays later on in the review process. "We are committed to minimizing the data entry and streamlining the compliance process for our researchers," explained Botkin. "Webridge SmartForms intelligently guides a researcher through the new application submission process, minimizing the amount of time spent entering data."

In addition to assisting in the creation of new human subject research applications, the Webridge solution automates amendments, adverse event reporting, and continuing reviews. The system automatically notifies researchers when their studies require attention. Email is sent 90 days before a continuing review is due, allowing the researcher ample time to complete the submission. Reminders are sent at periodic intervals until the submission is complete.

In addition to assisting the researcher in managing their compliance submissions, the new system streamlines processing within the IRB and improves productivity. IRB administrators, coordinators, chairs and committee members are all electronically notified when new studies have arrived that require their attention. The study data is stored in a central database at the University for easy access by IRB staff and reviewers. Integrated reporting allows detailed analysis of all protocol information in the system.

Conflict of Interest Process Automated

The University of Utah is also deploying a Conflict of Interest application built on the Webridge Compliance Extranet. Employees of the university will be sent an annual email containing a link to a conflict of interest survey on the compliance web site. Utilizing the same Webridge SmartForms technology, each employee will be guided through a set of questions to determine if they have any conflicts that need to be declared. If so, SmartForms will capture the necessary information and store it in the database for future review by the compliance organizations. Automatic reminders will be sent until all employees have completed the surveys.

"The University of Utah has a reputation for innovative research," stated David Brinker, chief executive officer of Webridge. "They are taking a similar leadership position in research compliance. By focusing on the needs of their researchers, they are creating a model for frictionless research, and building a win/win partnership between the researchers and the compliance staff."

The production system will be hosted in the University of Utah's clinical research data center.

About Webridge

Webridge is the leading provider of configurable extranet portal software for innovative institutions such as University of Washington, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Washington University Medical Center, and the University of Miami. Webridge Compliance Extranet, a 100% browser-based application, enables the electronic submission, review, and tracking of any institutional process. Leveraging Microsoft's .NET Framework, Webridge products easily integrate with existing applications within the organization to automate key research oversight processes. For more information, go to http://www.webridge.com, or call 1-800-590-5400.

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