The overall goal of the Qatar Biobank (QBB) is to collect, manage, and distribute high-quality human biospecimens with appropriate clinical and/or research annotation and associated phenotypic data, aiming to be an important and essential resource of medical research and evidence-based health care system policies in Qatar. To manage and collect large volumes of data, the QBB has been investing in a number of information management solutions, trying to avoid inflexibility of traditional systems and accommodate changes in data sources and workflows. This article aims to present the information technology solutions of QBB based on a free, opensource software solution, considered a reliable alternative to commercial solutions. After evaluating the free, opensource software solutions available for biobanks, Onyx from ObiBa was utilized to develop custom components to interface various clinical devices, LIMS and Picture Archiving and Communication System, which has varying integration capabilities. This is a showcase for biobanks to carefully evaluate and select hardware and software to automate their operations providing the functions required for business continuity.
Background: During the COVID-19 outbreak, Qatar Biobank (QBB) adapted its services to collect, process, and store high-quality data and specimens. This transformation period brought opportunities, risks, and challenges. Methods: QBB holds College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification for Quality Management (9001:2105) and Information Security Management Systems (27001: 2013). These standards helped to effectively convert its operations to facilitate the COVID-19 national project. The COVID-19 Biorepository is a National Disease-based study aiming to collect adequate health information and biological samples from Qatar residents infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus to enable evidence-based research towards the discovery and development of novel healthcare interventions and to facilitate research projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic. QBB IT Department used open-source Onyx (ObiBa) software to newly develop a COVID-19 electronic system and interface for various clinical devices and Laboratory Information Management System. QBB operational services were adapted to accommodate the COVID-19 project by providing training to the personnel (n = 20; i.e. nurses, research assistants etc.) and developing work instructions (n>5) for the participants’ recruitment process, data and specimen collection in the different hospitals. A COVID-19 portal was also developed by QBB to facilitate data access for researchers from Qatar and worldwide. Results: Within 5 weeks QBB transformed to accommodate a disease/virus-based biorepository. At an operational level, multi-adjustments were implemented. QBB IT department developed an electronic system for the data collection and specimen traceability. Clinically trained staff were transferred to different healthcare facilities to recruit COVID-19 positive patients. QBB laboratory designed special collection kits. QBB Medical Review Office and Scientific and Education departments managed the recruitment process, set up of the study and provided training to the staff. The Communications and Participants Recruitment Department transformed its operations to fit the needs of the COVID-19 initiative. The Research Access Office designed the COVID-19 access portal and supported the project through purchasing of personal protective equipment and other administrative tasks. Conclusion: It is now time to consider lessons learned, as many countries have been affected by this pandemic, and to understand that biobanks are an asset for a country and there is a need to integrate them into a new standard with their sustainability in mind. Qatar Biobank is a good showcase of how a biobank can successfully assist in the collection of important data related to different health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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