Site Management Organizations Operations amidst COVID19 Pandemic

During the pandemic, countless organizations were forced to halt operations while others had no choice but to completely shut down. A swift change in businesses and organizations brought by the COVID19 pandemic has affected hundreds of thousands if not millions of workers across the globe.

But amidst this crisis, there are still organizations that continued to operate including pharmaceutical companies, food manufacturers, logistics, health care, and site management organizations, among others.

What is Site Management Organization (SMO)?

SMO refers to a person or a company that provides clinical trial-related services to a clinical research organization, clinical investigator, and pharmaceutical or Biotechnology Company, hospitals, or medical device company. An SMO specializes in managing clinical research sites.

SMO services include:

  • managing and identifying both investigators and sub-investigators
  • preparing and making submissions to institutional review boards
  • hiring of study staff
  • helping in site-specific study activities, patient recruitment, or site initiation, or close-out operations

 

What are the benefits of a Site Management Organization?

Over the years, SMOs have greatly helped address the issues related to clinical trials and studies. Today, SMOs have proven to be essential parts of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies especially now that the world is still combating the fatal effects of coronavirus.

Accuracy and Consistency

Manual processes and paper work is replaceable with new technology to streamline workflow. With this shift, Site Management Organization helps in detailed documentation at the same time accelerating the process in any clinical research even when physical contact is almost impossible to contain the spread of the virus. Essential documentation, regulatory files, logs, and signatures still carry on through the use of wireless and non-contact technology.

Reduced Study Timeline

The ability to adapt quickly to technology and quick study start up assisted companies in shortening study period.

Accelerated Patient Recruitment

The time taken to recruit patients is considerably reduced due to SMOs efficient follow-up skills and connections.

Time and Cost Savings

SMOs’ ability to properly conduct multi-eccentric trials helps companies save money and time.

During the pandemic, everyone learned to cope including multi-billion companies. Companies are working hard despite the ongoing pandemic and they have quickly adapted to face the challenges. At the same time, they have to identify the most effective options without disrupting operations.

Despite the availability of COVID19 vaccines, the challenges and disruptions are here to stay. With that said, Site Management Organization will still play an essential role in clinical trials, research, and many studies moving forward.

With new virus strains being discovered in different regions of the globe, research will remain a priority. Health and biotech companies will need the help of SMOs more than ever from collecting data, patient recruitment, participants’ or patients’ safety, more accurate doctor contact information, and more.

The takeaway

The health scare necessitated by COVID19 will continue to challenge the health and pharmaceutical industries. However, with researchers, scientists, and SMOs’ help, this daunting process will come to an end.

 

Interested in what we have been up to at NICR? Click here to read another blog post that discusses the importance of dialysis centers in the distribution process of the COVID19 vaccine.


The National Institute of Clinical Research is an SMO/CRO with offices and labs in the following cities and states: New Jersey, North Carolina, Austin, San Diego, San Francisco, Bakersfield 93309, Fountain Valley 92708, Garden Grove 92840, Hacienda Heights 91745, Huntington Beach 92648, Las Vegas 89106, Long Beach 90806, Los Angeles 90048, Ontario 91762, Rosemead 91770, San Antonio 78207, Santa Ana 92704, Upland 91786, and Westminster 92683.