By Afifa F. – 2K Clinical Consulting, Inc. 

 There is a popular saying in quality management that if you do not have the process written down, then it probably didn’t happen. Just like any other business, Clinical trials must have a management system as well. This needs to be well-conceived  as well as systemized.  

 What is a QMS in Clinical Setup? 

QMS are standardized procedures with guidelines. These particular guidelines are the backbone for all procedures to be carried out. A clinical quality management system (CQMS) is meant to keep track of all the records, activities, tasks, processes, important events, interactions, inspections, and training that must be administered and controlled during the study’s lifespan.. 

 What are the Benefits of QMS in a Clinical Trial? 

The Clinical Quality Management System program provides improved patient safety by enhancing quality, ensuring data security, reducing clinical trial bottlenecks, and bringing products to the market faster. 

 QMS Implementation Steps 

The following steps must be covered to effectively implement Clinical QMS: 

1.  Mapping and Defining Your Process  – The production of process maps will compel the associated clinical trial members to visualize and define its processes. They will determine the connection pattern of those operations to be carried out during the process. Process maps are essential for determining who is responsible. Lastly, they help to clarify the flow of the clinical trials execution. 
2.  Defining the Clinical Trials Quality Policy – Objectives are required in all quality management systems. Each employee must recognize the impact they have on quality. Your quality policy influences your quality objectives. It’s quantifiable and implemented across all the project team members involved in the clinical trials process.    The goal could be in the form of key success criteria. This aids an organization in stressing the path to its mission’s fulfilment. These performance-based indicators provide a metric for determining whether or not the organization is meeting its goals. 
3. Developing Scale to Track Critical Success Factor – Scales and measurements keep track of progress once important success criteria are defined. This can be accomplished using a data reporting technique that collects specified information. Leaders should be informed of the information that has been processed. The purpose of the method is to improve the customer satisfaction index score. There must be a goal and a metric for determining whether or not that objective has been met. 
4. Defining Defects for Each Process – Non-conformances occur as a result of a flaw in the product or a flaw in the process. It is necessary to measure and repair any problem that occurs. This can be done by determining what has to be done to fix the problem.
5. Documenting and Keeping Records – QMS includes keeping record of information in the form of documents. The golden tip is to start from a less hefty documentation and move onto the more important ones. 
6. Defining the Process Quality – Internal audits, management reviews, corrective and preventive action processes, and communication channels are all part of your quality assurance approach. 
7. Understanding the Trainings to be Included – Everyone must demonstrate competence in the job. Training is simply the beginning and can take place on the job, in a classroom, or virtually. Internal auditor competency and CAPA training are two significant training areas. 
8. Using the QMS – Using the QMS ensures that the highest quality product is produced. The procedure entails gathering non-conformances and their records, auditing data in accordance with the corrective and prevention plan and reviewing data in accordance with the Failure Mode Effective Analysis (FMEA) to be prepared for any concerns.
9. Measuring, Monitoring and Implementation of Plans to Improve Output – Using a quality management system entails gathering data and analyzing it to see if it is fit for purpose and can produce the desired results. You will have to keep track of objectives and define new metrics for performance. You must have a keen eye for details by recognizing trends, patterns, and correlation. After identifying trends, you and your team must prepare for arranging new objectives, plan prospects that will help you reach these new goals and must keep the mindset of “maintaining the quality”.  

 Key Takeaway 

In order to provide quality data and a clinical trial that is inspection-ready, a clinical QMS must be implemented. By doing so, you will be able to obtain and retain accreditation, which will be necessary both locally and internationally.