Directors: Nancy Mueller, Frederick Li
Location: 677 Huntington Avenue, Kresge 824, Boston
| Core Summary: |
The Rapid Case Identification Core (RCIC) is designed to support and facilitate epidemiologic and clinical research conducted by DF/HCC investigators by providing rapid case identification and related services. The RCIC is a service-based core that is designed to identify study eligible cases shortly after diagnosis, ascertain relevant study data via medical record review, assist with IRB approval, provide potential case numbers for grant planning purposes, retrieve pathology specimens and identify population controls.
The RCIC greatly enhances the capability of DF/HCC members to undertake translational, population and clinical research by providing experienced staff to perform common research tasks. Utilization of the core has the potential to shorten the data collection phase of a study by eliminating the need for individual investigators to recruit hire and train research assistants to perform this task. It provides a substantial economy of scale to investigators and facilitates the incorporation of pathology specimens as part of translational research
| Personnel/Contact Information: |
Leadership and Staff:
Dr. Nancy Mueller
Dr. Frederick Li
Coordinator: Carol Lowenstein
Phone: (617) 432-2199
Email: clowenst@hsph.harvard.edu
| Facilities: |
Location of Core:
The facility is located at the Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Kresge 824, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
| Services: |
- Rapid identification of new cancer diagnoses: RCIC staff will identify cases eligible for IRB approved studies at Boston area and surrounding hospitals within 2 to 4 weeks of diagnosis.
- Medical record review: RCIC staff will obtain relevant study data via medical record review. RCIC staff will work closely with investigators to tailor the data collection efforts to meet the specific needs of each individual study.
- Provide potential case numbers: For any given cancer site, the RCIC will provide case numbers from area hospitals to assist researchers in determining adequate potential patient populations during grant planning and preparation. Information regarding the racial breakdown of potential patient populations can also be obtained.
- Retrieval of pathology specimens: RCIC staff will provide the retrieval, transport and return of pathology blocks and slides with appropriate approval.
- Identification of population controls: RCIC staff will provide demographic information on potential population controls, via the Town Book Resource, a comprehensive collection of current and recent Resident Lists for the cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts.
- Assistance with IRB approval: RCIC staff will provide on-going assistance with IRB approval for studies utilizing the rapid case core.
| Fee Schedule/Rates: |
| Service | Price (DF/HCC) | Price (non-DF/HCC) |
| Database Set-up | $2,000/project | $2,300/project |
| IRB Approval | $842/hospital | $968/hospital |
| Case Identification | ||
| Boston Hospitals | $1,091/month | $1,255/month |
| All Mass Hospitals | $2,216/month | $2,548/month |
| Slide/Block Retrieval | ||
| RCIC Personnel Costs | $440/month | $506/month |
| Hospital Charges | $160/month | $184/month |
| Getting Started: |
To access the core, please contact Carol Lowenstein
at (617) 432-2199 or by email at
clowenst@hsph.harvard.edu.
| Departmental Web Link: |
http://www.dfhcc.harvard.edu/core-facilities/rapid-case-identification/
