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. 2020 Jun 22;55(1):6–18. doi: 10.1007/s43441-020-00185-5

Table 1.

Existing registry—historical assessment.

Requirements Recommendations Suggested practices
Registry data must demonstrate relevancy and robustness to support regulatory decision-making

Data are relevant

 Data are adequate in scope and content

 Data are generalizable: Registry reflects high site and patient participation rates compared with total population

Data are robust—acceptable for use in one or more of the following

 Validated risk prediction

 Quality assurance

 Performance improvement

 Benchmarking

 Informing practice guidelines

 Post-market surveillance

 Generating peer-reviewed publications

 Comparative effectiveness research

Evaluate if data generated by an existing registry are adequate for evaluating clinical outcomes or supporting regulatory decision-making

Assess whether data and evidence that are generated can address the question at hand (i.e., fit for purpose)

Connectivity: Establish whether there are linkages or the ability to link to other existing datasets for additional data not captured directly in the registry

Data should be suitable for adequate statistical analysis

Data should be interpretable, i.e., evidence derived from analysis of de-identified aggregate data should be sufficient to allow for regulatory decision-making

Registry data must reliably be able to support regulatory decision-making Design: The registry should be designed to capture reliable data from real-world practice (no protocol-driven treatment)

A standard operating procedure document should exist that defines the processes and procedures for data capture and management

The system should have a basic validation package to assure that the software acts as intended

Patient population: The patient population should be limited to those with specific diseases, conditions, or treatment exposure(s)

The patient population for the registry is associated with a specific disease, condition, family of procedures (e.g., orthopedic surgery), or treatment exposure(s)

Inclusion and exclusion criteria should be clearly defined (e.g., total population or population subset)

Data collection forms: The data collection forms should be standardized

The existing data elements should be fixed and predefined

There should be an audit trail for any changes

The forms should use standard and uniform data definitions

Datasets: Data elements should be able to be mapped to industry standards to allow for more direct comparison of data analyses Documentation should be available that describes the data elements and datasets
Timing of endpoints/outcomes: The timepoints of each endpoint/outcome in the data collection form should be documented Evaluate the ability to calculate timing of treatment and treatment outcome (e.g., stroke at discharge or at 30 days post index procedure)
Timing of data collection: Data collection/entry can occur at any time The system should be live 24/7 and web-based
Data completeness and accuracy: Data should be complete, accurate, and attributable

Missing data should be minimized and statistically assessed

Assure processes are in place for data collection and entry with documented training

The system should allow identification of the data originator (e.g., person[s] performing procedure[s]), data source (e.g., point of care, EHR, procedural record), and data entry person

Data logic checks should be included at the time of data entry

Processes should be in place to assure accuracy of the data

Registry has assurance of patient protections

Documentation of informed consent or IRB waiver of informed consent is needed for access to the data (e.g., by investigators, patients, regulators)

Patient privacy must be assured: Assess for use of de-identified data vs. line-item data

Access to the data needs to be supported by patient informed consent or IRB waiver of informed consent

Use a single IRB of record where possible with a broad-use informed consent document

Data encryption and security protections should be in place

Control/ownership of proprietary data should be addressed

If informed consent is waived by the IRB, additional patient protections must be in place to share line-item patient level data (i.e., HIPAA consent or waiver for research)

EHR electronic health record, IRB investigational review board, vs versus