A novel, patient-focused approach to home sample collection improves rate of return & sample quality and enables research to continue during the covid-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background: Successful continuation of research involving blood sample collection during the covid-19 pandemic is particularly challenging due to restrictions on visits to clinic and limited research staff capacity. C-peptide measurement from capillary (finger-prick) samples has been robustly validated. Aim: To increase the rate of return and viability of home finger-prick samples in a prospective multicentre study by combining a more patient-centred approach with improved sampling method. Methods: Original procedure for home sampling involved data collection by telephone followed by independent participant collection of finger-prick samples onto a blood spot card. Following poor rate of return and of successful sample collection, an adapted protocol & novel sampling method were introduced. The improved approach involved the pre-booking of an appointment for both data and sample collection, so that the researcher could support sample collection, and used a blood spot stick (Mitra® VAMS® absorptive device) to enable more user-friendly sampling. We assessed rate of sample return and viability for participants first remote capillary sample collection. Results: 282 participants were followed up using the original method, 173/282 (61%(95% confidence interval 55-67%) samples returned and 112/173 (65%(57-72%) were viable. 115 participants have been followed up using the improved approach, 97 (84%(76-90%) samples returned and 93 (96%(90-99%) were viable for analysis. Summary: A more patient-focused approach with improved method of sample collection was associated with dramatically increased sample rate of return and viability. This novel approach may aid other projects where samples have the stability for home collection.