EDGE 3 launch scheduled for autumn 2021

We recently shared the exciting news with our users that we are planning the launch of EDGE 3 for autumn 2021. This will be following years of hard work by both our Development and Knowledge teams who have been devoted to bringing a new and improved version of the programme to all users globally.

EDGE 3 will be a complete system overhaul from EDGE 2, not only having a brand new interface but it will also contain enhanced features and functionality, making things easier and faster to use. Other positives include: improved user experience using new browser technology, support on multiple devices, faster turnaround time for new functionality development and an improved help & support centre. Further innovation is in the pipeline for EDGE 3 which will be communicated to EDGE users, along with regular updates on the progress. We will also be sharing important information regarding the shutdown of EDGE 2, as well as training and support guidance to ensure users are fully prepared for the new programme.

We will also be engaging with users on the development, testing and feedback of EDGE 3 at relevant times so keep your eyes peeled for further updates from us. Whilst all of the EDGE 3 work is taking place, our Knowledge and Development teams are continuing to support users on EDGE 2 as well as keeping up with the systems maintenance and working on any critical changes when required.  

We are looking forward to sharing more information in the upcoming months - watch this space!

And to finish this short but sweet post, Dave Osler, Head of Knowledge provided me with the following quote which I thought I would share here:

“To say I am excited about the release of EDGE 3 is an understatement. Software is a rapidly evolving area, just look at the companies in the world like Apple, Tesla and Netflix, all able to deliver experiences to people that could barely be imagined 20 years ago. Building applications using new technologies is critical to achieve this, old technology simply cannot cut it anymore in today’s rapidly evolving environment. By utilising these new technologies, we can make huge strides forward at pace to deliver the solutions people need, when they need them. Clinical Research itself is rapidly evolving and needs organisations that can keep pace with it. Ultimately, research management is about delivering better care for patients and EDGE 3 will be the cornerstone that supports us all in delivering this”.

Check out our EDGE 3 promotional animation here.

A trip to the EDGE office by Viswin Mallayan

We had Viswin Mallayan, Research and Innovation Information Manager at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust join us in the EDGE office a few months back and we thought we would share his story with you:

"I had the great honour of working with the EDGE team in Southampton last month, where I spent my time sharing and gaining knowledge reporting in EDGE and Microsoft Power BI, as well as presenting two webinars on “'Using EDGE and Microsoft Power BI to provide intelligent reports and improved business decisions” to a Canadian Team and all the UK NHS trusts.

I have been an EDGE user for over 18 months and use the system to capture recruitment data and prepare reports for senior management and clinical management groups. I utilise EDGE in conjunction with Microsoft Power BI to provide intelligent reports and help shape and inform clinical management groups’ decisions.

EDGE is one of the best tools with greater flexibility for the end user. This means we are benefiting as we can use the system as an intelligent data management tool to fully integrate information from all departments to produce meaningful and quality data for outcome analysis.

Leicester’s Hospitals uses Microsoft Power BI as a primary reporting tool for research data and we are working with the EDGE team to make common Microsoft Power BI dashboards where any Trust using Edge can see their performance (similar to open data platform).

Since the EDGE Accelerate conference in March of this year, my colleague Carolyn Maloney has guided around 20 NHS trusts in the UK on how to use EDGE for Clinical Research." 

EDGE Case Study by Helene Jones

The Lincolnshire Clinical Research Facility facilitates the implementation and management of clinical research for the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust across its multiple hospital sites within the large rural county of Lincolnshire in the East Midlands. The research undertaken within the trust encompasses a wide range of therapeutic areas including oncology, haematology, stroke, cardiology, paediatric, dermatology, diabetes, midwifery, ophthalmology, respiratory, anaesthesia, gastroenterology, renal and orthopaedics. The breadth of research disciplines managed by the research facility and the diversity of hospital sites within the trust called for a flexible clinical trials management system to support its continued growth and build upon operational processes. In April 2016 ULHT implemented EDGE across all of its sites providing a fully-integrated data platform for the benefit of clinicians, research nurses, radiologists, pharmacists and other research professionals, supporting their clinical research and providing real-time trial data and business intelligence.

The nature of research in the region is influenced by the diverse needs of a population and healthcare system in the large rural county of Lincolnshire, and Lincoln as one of the fastest growing cities in the UK. The trust needed a system to provide the flexibility to manage differing scales of operations and the requirements of individual units within its organisation but maximise communication, and provide consistent metrics and reporting. One of EDGE’s greatest qualities is its adaptability which makes it so flexible in managing the complexities of clinical trials and the range of contexts in which they are conducted. 

EDGE is an application which is logical and scalable. During the implementation of the CTMS within the organisation we were able to train and roll out the application around the busy work schedules of the research teams and do this in a stepped process by site. The software is user-friendly yet provides powerful functionality and the option to adapt the application, at multiple levels, to meet the needs of the organisation. A core strength of the system is its flexibility for end-user process adaption, allowing individuals and trusts to creatively develop their particular instance. This in turn contributes to the evolution of EDGE through the perspective of sites and researchers who understand evolving operational needs the most and builds benefits for the EDGE community. The developers have cleverly, through the provision of an attribute based system, created an application which is future-proofed and keeps pace with evolving processes. We can build on the global knowledge of users across the UK and beyond in how we can better use data and systems in the delivery of efficient clinical trials. The role out of the system within our Trust has also provided the unanticipated yet immeasurable benefit of engagement with the wider community of EDGE users in delivering research and in sharing best practices, both in terms of the application itself and sharing research ideas in general. 

Within the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust we use EDGE to support the setup, feasibility and approval process for studies, track recruitment, manage patient visits, record resource, interventions and inter-disciplinary departmental involvement such as logging studies requiring ECGs, RECIST criteria, all blood sciences requirements etc. We also use EDGE for substantive reporting and monitoring of metrics by maximising the use of core EDGE reports alongside bespoke attribute reporting at a study level, site level and patient level. We are also seeking to develop the system as a trial evaluation tool and workforce management application. 

EDGE has provided ULHT with an IT platform to support its strategic planning and growth, enhancing its reporting, communication and trial management to support enhanced participant engagement and patient outcomes. All this supports the delivery of efficient clinical trials. The following principles demonstrate the benefit of EDGE for individuals, trusts, networks and the NHS.  

EDGE provides; 

1. Complete flexibility to support specific needs of trusts, sites and individuals in managing clinical trials.
2. Creative power for trusts and sites to develop their own instances to meet local needs.
3. an EDGE community who collaborate to collectively evolve the system.
4. a system which is developed through the perspective of the end users who understand their individual needs the most.
5. a robust and secure integrated system and data set for enhancing operational delivery at trust, regional and national levels.

Post by Helene Jones, Research Support Officer
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Helene.Jones@ULH.nhs.uk