Accellacare was contracted by a large pharma organisation to recruit and provide In-Home Services to paediatric patients with autism. For this study, the sponsor needed decentralised patient services to draw and process blood samples, conduct timed PK draw 4-hours post-dose, review patient temperature log and diary, and check for changes in health, medications, or hospitalisation. The study staff faced the challenge of sourcing experienced paediatric nurses that could draw blood from a patient population with sensory issues, using speciality tubes.

This sensitive patient population required extra consideration for successful visits. Leveraging internal expertise in the care of autism, we developed and administered training for in-home nurses on best practices for working with an autistic patient population, to help minimise stress for patients and aid the success of the blood draws taken during the in-home visits.

This training began with a “meet and greet” so the nurses could learn more about treating children with autism and how to educate patients and caregivers on what to expect during visits. The training also gave the nurses the skills to develop a plan with the patient and their families to introduce the patient to the equipment and the visit schedule. The training also included patient profile considerations, for example the importance of routine to this patient population and ensuring scheduled visits were punctual. The training also nstructed the nurse how to navigate the patient’s fears and anxieties. For example, if a child had a fear of needles, the nurse should invite them to practice on a doll or teddy bear, let them hold their favourite toy or item, or invite them do some exercises before a blood draw.

Accellacare In-Home Services conducted 2,000+ home visits, minimising the study burden for children and their caregivers. Being able to offer home visits allowed us to exceed expected enrollment by 33%, with enrollment reaching 230 patients.