An overview of the advanced data collection techniques in the environmental exposure unit (EEU)

Methods Advanced scanning technologies are used with a customized two-step quality assurance data collection process. Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capture data from paper symptom diary cards into the EEU’s clinical data management system (CDMS). A template is configured to read the static diary card format and assign zones where the specific diary card data are located. The user configures field requirements within the zones to validate data captured. Cards that do not meet a predefined confidence level for any particular zone will be flagged for a quality check. The quality checking process involves one user visually confirming all data captured and a second user inputting all values from the card to ensure accuracy. Invalid data are rejected from the batch and returned to the participant for correction. Corrected cards are scanned again and all valid data are transferred into the CDMS.