A Pilot Project to Evaluate the Benefit of Additional Support in Haematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT) Research Data Management on Behalf of Anthony Nolan and BSBMTCT

EJHaem. 2026 Jan 31;7(1):e70235. doi: 10.1002/jha2.70235. eCollection 2026 Feb.

Abstract

Background: The participation of transplant centres in research studies that request detailed follow-up data on included patients can be challenging due to the amount of time centre Data Managers have to complete additional requests. The Research Data Manager (RDM) Pilot Project was designed to support Anthony Nolan's longitudinal Patient/Donor project and provide real-world evidence of the benefit of additional and dedicated data management resources in transplant centres.

Objectives: For Anthony Nolan to continue advancing the field of donor selection, up-to-date and accurate follow-up data is needed. This 12-month pilot project aimed to demonstrate how on-the-ground support could improve access to outcome data.

Study design: Following RDM placements at two participating centres, we reviewed the data quality and quantity collected, thus ensuring the methods used remain effective and are likely to result in successful and continuous data improvement. The cohort covered a broad timespan and included historical patient records, posing challenges in availability of prior data and long-term follow-up of discharged patients.

Results: Following the placements, over 400 patients now have the most up-to-date and complete patient clinical outcome data available within the EBMT/BSBMTCT registry database for any group to study, reducing the burden on these centres to complete research data requests for these individuals.

Trial registration: The authors have confirmed clinical trial registration is not needed for this submission.