eIRB streamlines approval of clinical research studies

Health Sciences South Carolina is among the first states in the nation to deploy a statewide electronic institutional review board (eIRB) system. The powerful Internet-based system provides a sophisticated framework for clinical research studies, supporting collaborative research between HSSC member organizations. Currently, the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS), Palmetto Health, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, and the University of South Carolina are using eIRB. Clemson University also is participating through GHS.

HSSC's eIRB system replaces the traditional paper-based process used by review boards to evaluate the efficacy and safety of trials involving human subjects. eIRB is a paperless, electronic method to submit, track, and review the scientific, regulatory, and compliance information required for human subjects research. It allows review boards and the research community to share critical information regarding the submission and review of new applications, amendments, protocol events, and continuing reviews. HSSC’s eIRB is efficient, secure and “green. It makes HSSC and South Carolina more competitive in competing for research funding and commercial clinical trials.

Information Technology Infrastructure Supports Research Enterprise

Health Sciences South Carolina (HSSC) is leading the effort to create a statewide information technology (IT) system that will promote and accelerate research as well as connect providers, transform patient care, improve quality, and streamline healthcare administration.

A statewide IT infrastructure is critical to the short and long term success of the HSSC research enterprise. A significant effort is being made to establish a comprehensive approach to HIT connectivity between HSSC partners and the state of South Carolina at large. HSSC is working with corporate partners that include IBM, Siemens, Sun Microsystems and Recombinant Data Corporation on both its strategy and implementation to ensure world-class solutions. The resulting infrastructure will allow HSSC to streamline and accelerate research projects, facilitate data collection and analysis, successfully compete for external funding from sources like the National Institutes of Health, attract commercial clinical trials, and ultimately, improve health and healthcare services in South Carolina.

The focus for the next three years will be to implement and support enterprise-scale IT services that support the research, quality, clinical and operational objectives of HSSC and its members. Currently under construction are:

  • Electronic health records
  • Clinical data warehouse
  • Clinical research data warehouse
  • Electronic Institutional review board (eIRB) system - click here!
  • Clinical trials management system
  • Research portal
  • Provider portal
  • Patient portal

For information on HSSC's HIT infrastructure, contact Iain Sanderson, MSc, FRCA, Chief Information Officer.