Return to Research: Phased Reintroduction to CTRC Research

Current CTRC OP hours are Monday through Thursday, 7am – 4pm. CTRC OP will be open Monday through Friday 7am - 4pm, beginning March 1. CTRC IP will be open all weekends beginning March 1.

February IP weekends

• February 6 - February 7
• February 20 - February 21

Effective February 19, UCH IP and OP CTRCs will review and schedule visits for Groups 1-5. UCH OP CTRC is currently accepting Group 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3f, 4a, 4c applications only. UCH inpatient (IP) CTRC is accepting new appointments reviewing and accepting appointments for Group 1 and 2a - d studies only.

All CU-AMC employees must report to a screening location and obtain a wrist band before coming to the UCH OP CTRC, per AMC policy. Investigators and study team members without a valid wristband will not be allowed access to the UCH OP CTRC.

UCHealth has revised its general guidance for access and presence of research personnel at UCHealth locations, including the UCH IP and OP CTRCs:

• All investigators, their research staff, and CTRC staff, are required to wear a surgical or procedural mask at all times while on the CTRC Inpatient or Outpatient Units. The mask must cover the nose and mouth.
• Investigators, research staff, and CTRC staff are not permitted to wear cloth masks or gators on the CTRC Inpatient or Outpatient Units.

If you have already applied for protocol reactivation through the AMC portal and received CTRC confirmation of your priority Group number but were denied approval because your group was not yet activated at the CTRC, you do not need to reapply through the portal. If your study uses only CTRC space, you will receive an approval email and can proceed. If your protocol utilizes any non-CTRC AMC space such as Barbara Davis Center, RC1 or the Pharmacy Building, your application will need AMC approval before receiving CTRC review. Please wait for AMC to call for your Group number before proceeding with your research restart portal application.

Approved protocols in active groups may schedule visits as soon as the protocol is reactivated by CTRC Scheduler, which usually occurs within three business days of final approval. You will receive an email when your approved study is open for scheduling. You must reply to this email for your study to be re-activated.

Study staff must follow all UCH Outpatient CTRC guidelines and rules for both regular study visits and study visits involving COVID-19 positive participants.

UCH has updated the way that COVID status is displayed in Epic. Please familiarize yourself with the new view.

Currently, all CU-AMC employees must report to a screening location and obtain a wrist band before coming to the UCH OP CTRC, per AMC policy. Investigators and study team members without a valid wristband will not be allowed access to the UCH OP CTRC.

UCH IP CTRC is exempted from the UCHealth requirement for COVID-19 testing pre-admission except for aerosolizing procedures (bronchoscopy, max or stress exercise testing). Participants must still be pre-screened prior to admission by study staff and will also be screening upon CTRC arrival. Check the UCH guidelines for the latest screening questions.

For visits involving aerosolizing procedures or where COVID testing is required as part of the protocol, for both IP and OP visits, COVID-19 tests need to be scheduled and ordered in Epic and the research project will be charged for the test. These tests will require an amendment submitted through the Human Subject Research Portal to have the test added to the calendar/MCA. While the amendment is pending, please utilize the billing notes to designate that these tests are to be billed to research. The participant will need to have the test done at a UCHealth designated COVID testing center. Results may take 1 - 2 days to return so this should be performed 48-72h before of the study visit. Contact Laurie Blumberg-Romero with any questions.

Due to capacity restrictions, all tasks that can be conducted remotely will continue to be conducted remotely. If you do not need to be in the CTRC clinic space for a specified face to face participant encounter, please do not enter the space. Study teams will be encouraged to reduce the number of study personnel needed at a visit. If one person can be delegated to do all tasks at the visit, that is the best practice and when possible. This will allow the CTRC to schedule more research visits per day.

If you have a CTRC visit that does not require fasting, please try and schedule after 10am, whenever possible. This will facilitate all protocols obtaining equal access to CTRC appointments.

Study staff are responsible for checking all relevant building access and PPE guidelines before entering the CTRC. This guidance changes frequently and it is your responsibility to comply with the most recent regulations.

You should be able to access UCH information, using your AMC login. If not, please contact UCHealth Admin. Questions for the UCH CTRC should be directed to Diane Branham.

CHCO IP and OP CTRCs, including mobile nursing services, are currently accepting 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3f, 4a, 4c applications only. Group 1 - 5 applications will be accepted effective February 19.

If you have already applied for protocol reactivation through the AMC portal and received CTRC confirmation of your priority Group number but were denied approval because your group was not yet activated at the CTRC, you do not need to reapply through the portal. If your study uses only CTRC and CHCO space, you will receive an approval email and can proceed. If your protocol utilizes any non-CTRC AMC space such as Barbara Davis Center, RC1 or the Pharmacy Building, your application will need AMC approval before receiving CTRC review. Please wait for AMC to call for your Group number before proceeding with your research restart portal application.

You should be able to access CHCO information, using your CHCO login If you do not have a CHCO login or cannot access this content, please contact Michelle Middleton to gain access.

CHCO OP CTRC hours are currently Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am - 5:30 pm, and Fridays 7.00 am - 1.00 pm.

Please review the capacity of each CHCO CTRC space, including shared space.

Due to capacity restrictions, all tasks that can be conducted remotely will continue to be conducted remotely. If you do not need to be in the CTRC clinic space for a specified face to face participant encounter, please do not enter the space. Study teams will be encouraged to reduce the number of study personnel needed at a visit. If one person can be delegated to do all tasks at the visit, that is the best practice and when possible, schedule multiple visit for a single coordinator on the same day so that you are entering the facility less days per week. This will allow the CTRC to schedule more research visits per day.

If you have a CTRC visit that does not require fasting, please try and schedule after 10am, whenever possible. This will facilitate all protocols obtaining equal access to CTRC appointments.

Study staff are responsible for checking all relevant building access and PPE guidelines before entering the CTRC. This guidance changes frequently and it is your responsibility to comply with the most recent regulations.

See more in our CHCO FAQ

Questions regarding this should be directed to Lisa Lewis.

Return to work summary:

• You will need to wear a cloth face covering as you enter CHCO. 
  
• Only enter through the employee entrance.
  
• You will scan a QR code and complete a RedCap survey prior to entering the building. When you enter, you will have your temperature taken.
  
• You will be issued a face mask if you will be in a clinical area.
  
• If you are in a non-clinical area, you will continue wearing your cloth face covering.
  
• Don’t come to work sick – Reminders –
  
  • If you don’t feel well, stay home!
    
  • If you feel ill, contact your supervisor for guidance.
    
  • Complete the daily health assessment and wellness check.
    
  • Wear the appropriate face mask for the area you will be working.
    
  • Follow 6 ft social distancing.
    
  • Clean and disinfect any and all equipment that you use