Was betrifft es? Warum ist das wichtig?

Study Quality Processes are a set of defined instructions that ensure that the study:

  • Is implemented in a consistent and reproducible manner
  • Complies with Quality Assurance requirements

 

The development of study quality processes includes to:

Mehr

The identification, documentation, and validation of study processes are essential parts supporting the Quality Assurance approach of a study.

 

Applying for study approval requires the submission of selected quality documents. The Ethics Committee (EC), and if applicable Swissmedic, approve, among others, the study based on the quality and completeness of its quality processes.

 

Example of quality processes that may be requested by EC / Swissmedic for an assessment at study approval

Laboratory, Biobank certification

Was muss ich befolgen?

As a SP-INV

  • Implement a Quality by Design approach, by focusing on Critical to Quality factors during the deelopment of quality  processes
  • Plan Quality Control measures (e.g. monitoring, partner audit) during study conduct to:
    • Ensure process compliance
    • Evaluate feasibility and process disturbances, requiring adaptation / improvement measures
    • Make necessary adjustments to quality-based process documents (e.g. SOPs, WIs, guidelines, manuals)
  • Plan how to ensure study staff is trained on process responsibilities and implementation, including process adaptions during study conduct

 

Document-Management-responsibilities in studies ensure that:

  • Approved and released quality processes are:
    • Identifiable (e.g. version number, date from when the document is valid, process authorship)
    • Readily accessible to study staff
    • Protected from accidental alterations and loss
  • Archived processes are clearly marked to prevent the accidental retrieval of archived processes
  • Guarantees that only valid processes remain in circulation during study conduct

Mehr

Staff trainings must be documented on a training-log. Both trainer and trainee date and sign the study training-log. By signing the training-log, trainees confirm to have read and understood its content.

On the training-log reference is made on the type of documents that were trained (name, date, version number, etc.).

 

Staff trainings are documented and performed:

  • By qualified trainers or through self-training
  • On site, by telephone or web-based
  • Both at study initiation and during study conduct
  • Based on study delegated tasks and responsibilities (e.g. delegation-log)
  • Prior to executing a task
  • Upon changes to study documents (protocol, IC, SOPs. WIs, processes)
  • Upon change of study staff or individual responsibilities

Wo kann ich Hilfe anfordern?

Your local Research Support Centre can assist you with experienced staff regarding this topic

  • Basel, Departement Klinische Forschung (DKF), dkf.unibas.ch

  • Lugano, Clinical Trials Unit (CTU-EOC), ctueoc.ch

  • Bern, Department of Clinical Research (DCR), dcr.unibe.ch

  • Geneva, Clinical Research Center (CRC), crc.hug.ch

  • Lausanne, Clinical Research Center (CRC), chuv.ch

  • St. Gallen, Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), h-och.ch

  • Zürich, Clinical Trials Center (CTC), usz.ch

References

ICH GCP E6(R3) – see in particular guidelines

  • 3.10 Quality management
  • 3.11 Quality Assurance and Quality Control

ICH E8(R1) – see in particular

  • 3.1 Quality by Design of clinical studies
  • 3.2 Critical to Quality Factors

ISO 9001:2015 (access liable to costs) – see in particular section

  • Quality Management Systems

Documents

Abkürzungen
  • CTU – Clinical Trials Unit
  • FOPH – Federal Office of Public Health
  • IC – Informed Consent
  • ICH GCP – International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice
  • ICH – International Council for Harmonisation
  • ISO – International Organisation for Standardisation
  • QA – Quality Assurance
  • SOP – Standard Operating Procedures
  • SP-INV – Sponsor Investigator
  • WI – Working Instructions
Development ↦ Quality and Risk ↦ Quality Processes ↦ Development
Study
Basic

Provides some background knowledge and basic definitions

Basic Monitoring
Concept

Starts with a study idea

Ends after having assessed and evaluated study feasibility

Concept Statistic Methodology
Concept Drug or Device
Development

Starts with confidence that the study is feasible

Ends after having received ethics and regulatory approval

Development Drug or Device
Set-Up

Starts with ethics and regulatory approval

Ends after successful study initiation

Set-Up Ethics and Laws
Set-Up Statistic Methodology
Set-Up Quality and Risk
Set-Up Drug or Device
Conduct

Starts with participant recruitment

Ends after the last participant has completed the last study visit

Conduct Statistic Methodology
Conduct Drug or Device
Completion

Starts with last study visit completed

Ends after study publication and archiving

Completion Drug or Device
Current Path (click to copy): Development ↦ Quality and Risk ↦ Quality Processes ↦ Development