The US-based Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety (ACRES) is rolling out an online interface for clinical-research sites worldwide in collaboration with two of its technology partners, ViS Research and HealthCarePoint (HCP).

Developed and powered by ViS and HCP, the interface marks the first step in the development of an ACRES Global Network of high-performing sites, and towards the wider goal of a global clinical-research network based on standardisation, accreditation and a common information-technology platform.

Clinical-research sites that want to participate in the Alliance’s global safety, quality and professional-development initiatives can register as ACRES-affiliated sites through the online interface.

They can then enter information describing the site and its capabilities into ViS’ centre profiles, where it will be shared with sponsors conducting online feasibility assessment.

Registered sites will also have free access to HCP’s Personal Experience and Training (PET-ABC) human-resources management system, to enable archiving and user-controlled sharing of professional credentials and training certificates with colleagues, sponsors, regulators and institutional review boards.

Future initiatives

In addition to these benefits, ACRES-registered sites will be well positioned to participate in the Alliance’s future initiatives, including development and testing of global standards for site accreditation and new tools for performance enhancement, quality management, remote auditing and risk-based monitoring, the organisation noted.

“ACRES’ vision is to work collaboratively with stakeholders to build a non-proprietary shared IT platform for clinical research that incorporates standards ensuring inter-operability and interchange of data while safeguarding privacy and security,” commented Dr. Greg Koski, the Alliance’s president.

“More than a portal, this interface allows sites to share their capabilities and get involved,” Koski added. “While just the first step down a long road, it marks a critically important milestone.”