Category: Clinical Trial Units
Level: Gold
Author: King's College London & Cardiff University
The Impact: <p>Reduction of data storage energy use, e-waste reduction</p>
Details
Clinical trial documentation is increasingly shifting toward digitilisation, which can streamline time-consuming trial processes. However, the logistics of shifting to electronic systems – such as clinical trial management systems – requires resources, infrastructure and training, with additional cost and energy burdens. While the storage of trial data may be defined by regulators, CTUs should aim for post-trial and data storage methods to be as sustainable as possible, with efficiencies in data storage helping to ensure uneeded digital infrastructure isn't introduced into the supply chain. As such, digital data retention policies should be balanced with necessity, impact, and sustainability and CTUs should engage suppliers of information systems to consider the environmental impact how their systems function.
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