title: An electronic specimen collection protocol schema (eSCPS). Document architecture for specimen management and the exchange of specimen collection protocols between biobanking information systems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The integrity of collection protocols in biobanking is essential for a high-quality sample preparation process. However, there is not currently a well-defined universal method for integrating collection protocols in the biobanking information system (BIMS). Therefore, an electronic schema of the collection protocol that is based on Extensible Markup Language (XML) is required to maintain the integrity and enable the exchange of collection protocols.
  
  
  METHODS
  The development and implementation of an electronic specimen collection protocol schema (eSCPS) was performed at two institutions (Muenster and Cologne) in three stages. First, we analyzed the infrastructure that was already established at both the biorepository and the hospital information systems of these institutions and determined the requirements for the sufficient preparation of specimens and documentation. Second, we designed an eSCPS according to these requirements. Finally, a prospective study was conducted to implement and evaluate the novel schema in the current BIMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We designed an eSCPS that provides all of the relevant information about collection protocols. Ten electronic collection protocols were generated using the supplementary Protocol Editor tool, and these protocols were successfully implemented in the existing BIMS. Moreover, an electronic list of collection protocols for the current studies being performed at each institution was included, new collection protocols were added, and the existing protocols were redesigned to be modifiable. The documentation time was significantly reduced after implementing the eSCPS (5 ± 2 min vs. 7 ± 3 min; p = 0.0002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The eSCPS improves the integrity and facilitates the exchange of specimen collection protocols in the existing open-source BIMS.
authors: Okyaz Eminaga, M.D., Department of Urology/Prostate Center, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Street 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany, E-mail: okyaz.eminaga@uk-koeln.de.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Eminaga
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Semjonow
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Oezguer
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Herden
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Akbarov
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Tok
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Engelmann
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Wille
mesh_terms: D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D005858:Germany; D066275:Health Information Exchange; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D011381:Programming Languages; D013048:Specimen Handling
keywords: Biobanking; eSCPS; electronic specimen collection protocol; prostate cancer and BIMS