What is it? Why is it important?

Centralised monitoring is a remote evaluation at a location other than the site(s) where the study is being conducted. Centralised monitoring includes the following activities:

  • Remote/off-site monitoring: The monitor checks study documents (copies) provided by the site, and/or discusses relevant study procedures. Provided documents must not contain any participant identifiers (e.g. name, DOB, address). Discussions are held via phone or during conference calls
  • Central data monitoring: The data monitor, statistician, or medical reviewer remotely accesses and evalautes study data. This is greatly facilitated when data is captured electronically (e-CRF)

 

For data protection reasons, regulators do not normally allow for the central monitoring of participant medical records since the complete de-identification of documents is considered too challenging.

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Central data monitoring that often includes statistical data analysis (e.g. called central statistical monitoring) can be used to identify:

  • Missing, implausible, or inconsistent data
  • Unexpected or false data (e.g. outliers)
  • Systematic errors in data collection
  • Trends and inconsistencies (e.g. an unexpected lack of variability)
  • Variability within and across sites (e.g. identification of sites with high error rates, relatively high or low number of (serious) adverse events, low participant recruitment)
  • Study protocol deviations (e.g. changes in participant visit schedules, specific tests, or medical examinations that were not – or only partly – performed)
  • Deviations from database completion requirements (e.g. entry must be done within 5 days after participant visit)

 

Sites with poor performance or problematic issues detected during centralised monitoring might best be solved by performing an on-site visit.

Example

In a multicentre study, 4 of the 5 participating sites reported headaches in at least 30% of the participants. At one site with 50 participants, no headaches were reported. This raises concerns regarding site adherence to study safety reporting requirements. This issue, which was detected remotely, may trigger on-site visits to investigate the root cause and to impose corrective measures.

What do I need to do?

As a monitor define remote/off site monitoring tasks such as:

 

Define central data monitoring tasks such as:

  • Study data checks that can be performed remotely, such as data completeness, plausibility, consistency checks, including checks for outliers such as unexpected data based on its normal distribution
  • Checks of important data (e.g. data related to the primary endpoint)
  • The statistical monitoring approach with support from a statistician. Especially in multicentre studies, inter-site comparisons can provide additional information

 

For more information refer to Data Handling in this Study Guide

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Centralised monitoring:

  • Can be more cost-effective, as it can be used to complement and thereby reduce the extent and/or frequency of on-site monitoring
  • Is particularly important in multicentre studies as it helps keeping oversight regarding the conduct and performance of study sites. The implementation of central data monitoring is thus highly recommended in large multicentre studies. 

 

Certain aspects can only be monitored through on-site monitoring and not through centralised monitoring, such as checking:

  • ICFs, to confirm that all recruited participants have dated and signed the document
  • Medical records, to verify that:
    • eCRF entries are correct. This process is also referred to as SD verification
    • Participants fulfil study inclusion and exclusion (e.g. eligibility) criteria
  • Procedures, to confirm that study drug preparation, storage, and inventory are correctly handled and monitored

 

Include the option of on-site monitoring visit(s) in your monitoring plan, especially if irregularities or problems are identified as a result of centralised monitoring.

Where can I get help?

Your local CTU can support you with experienced staff regarding this topic

References

ICH GCP E6(R2) – see in particular guidelines

  • 5.18 Monitoring activities
  • 6.10 Access to source data / documents

ISO 14155 Medical Device – see in particular section (access liable to costs)

  • 7.8 Document and data control
  • 9.2.4 Monitoring
Abbreviations
  • CTU – Clinical Trials Unit
  • DOB – Date of Birth
  • EC/RA – Ethics Committee / Regulatroy Authorities
  • eCRF – electronic Case Report Form
  • IC – Informed Consent
  • ICH GCP – International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinial Practice
  • IMP/MD – Investigational Medicinal Product / Medical Device
  • ISO – International Organisation for Standardisation
  • ICF – Informed Consent Form
  • SD – Source Data
Development ↦ Monitoring ↦ Montoring Strategy ↦ Central Monitoring
Study
Basic

Provides some background knowledge and basic definitions

Basic Protocol
Basic Statistics
Basic Monitoring
Basic Drug or Device
Basic Biobanking
Concept

Starts with a study idea

Ends after having assessed and evaluated study feasibility

Concept Protocol
Concept Statistics
Concept Drug or Device
Concept Biobanking
Development

Starts with confidence that the study is feasible

Ends after having received ethics and regulatory approval

Development Protocol
Development Statistics
Development Drug or Device
Development Biobanking
Set-Up

Starts with ethics and regulatory approval

Ends after successful study initiation

Set-Up Protocol
Set-Up Ethics and Laws
Set-Up Statistics
Set-Up Quality and Risk
Set-Up Drug or Device
Set-Up Biobanking
Conduct

Starts with participant recruitment

Ends after the last participant has completed the last study visit

Conduct Protocol
Conduct Statistics
Conduct Drug or Device
Conduct Biobanking
Completion

Starts with last study visit completed

Ends after study publication and archiving

Completion Protocol
Completion Statistics
Completion Drug or Device
Completion Biobanking
Current Path (click to copy): Development ↦ Monitoring ↦ Montoring Strategy ↦ Central Monitoring

Please note: the Easy-GCS tool is currently under construction.