IWRS/IRT/RTSM: Are they different or the same?
Clinion Team / Oct 17, 2022
Clinical trials are not at all easy – they’re quite complex, lengthy, and challenging due to the rise of global regulatory norms. Before starting a clinical trial and while running it, organisations face a number of challenges, and clinical data managers need to keep themselves updated with the latest technologies and accompanying acronyms.
Some of these procedural acronyms are industry recognized, others are specific to internal operations. Some technologies that most clinical teams get confused about – IWRS, IRT, RTSM ー are they different or the same with a different name? We wanted to provide an insight into the evolution of some commonly used acronyms in the clinical trials industry and demystify the confusion related to these critical terms.
Some of these procedural acronyms are industry recognized, others are specific to internal operations. Some technologies that most clinical teams get confused about – IWRS, IRT, RTSM ー are they different or the same with a different name? We wanted to provide an insight into the evolution of some commonly used acronyms in the clinical trials industry and demystify the confusion related to these critical terms.
IVRS
IVRS or Interactive Voice Response Systems was developed in the 1990s to randomise patients via voice-based systems like phones. It evolved to also dispense IP (Investigational product) and resupply at clinical trial sites, all using voice-based systems.
IWRS
In the last decade, with the rise of the internet, web-based systems such as Interactive Web Response systems (IWRS) were introduced. These systems helped with patient randomisation, IP dispensation, and Inventory Management. IVRS and IWRS were initially used to distinguish between eClinical systems based on whether they used voice or web interfaces. As organizations started employing both IVRS and IWRS, the term IxRS was introduced to encompass either type of system.
IRT
IRT (Interactive Response Technologies) is considered a collective term encompassing diverse technologies, including Web and Voice. IRT is used in almost every industry, so clinical trial industry-specific terms were coined.
Why RTSM
Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) is the new buzzword within IRT. This term has been around since the advent of IRT technologies, but it refers more to the function of the actual system vs. the mode of delivery (voice, web, mobile, etc.). Not only does RTSM closely represent the clinical research industry, but also reduces the burden of coining newer terminologies, every time the technology evolves.
RTSM vs IRT
The terms RTSM and IRT are often used interchangeably. However, IRT’s key focus lies on patient randomization, trial-data management, and checking the onsite presence of drugs. It acts as a centralized system for study logistics, facilitating communication between stakeholders. But, in addition to these core functions, RTSM also deals with drug supply management, forecasting, inventory management, and supply chain optimization. RTSM operates on a wider spectrum and handles complex logistics to ensure seamless trial execution and continuity in drug supply. In short, RTSM emphasizes the capabilities of the system itself, rather than the way it delivers those capabilities (such as by voice, web, or mobile app)
Choosing Clinion RTSM Software enables you to experience the highly-integrated eClinical system allowing you to monitor complex randomisation and drug supplies using a single application. Further, you can integrate Clinion RTSM with Clinion EDC, enabling you to randomize patients and assign kits directly from Clinion EDC, thereby avoiding the need to switch between systems, enhancing time management, and reducing the likelihood of duplicate data entry.