Biorepository Services

LabVantage Tracking System

The Biorepository uses the LabVantage software to track all biospecimen activities from the patient consent to distribution. The Biorepository accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) ensures quality biospecimens by implementing and monitoring best practices thus improving research outcomes. The LabVantage system links to important clinical and pathological databases:

• Comprehensive Oncology Research Environment (CORE)
• Enterprise Data Warehouse (clinical records link; pathology, medicine and radiology)
• Oncology and Tumor Registry (cancer stage, outcomes, vital statistics)
• Cancer Clinical Research-CCR (subject registry, cohort studies, medical events, clinical pathology)
• Utah Population Database (genealogy, birth and death certificates)
• Genomex (molecular data)

Project Registration

This required registration reserves biospecimens for specific projects as defined by the investigator or disease group. The Biorepository manages these registrations using the LabVantage tracking system and JIRA intake system.

HCI Centralized Protocol

Investigators may use the centralized protocol, Total Cancer Care (IRB# 89989), to procure, process and store biospecimens for cancer research.

Project Coordination

We provide research team meetings and training sessions to define the key procurement activities for each staff member involved in the process.

Informed Patient Consent

The Biorepository coordinators provide consent training to the clinic and surgery staff. They are also available to assist consenting patients as needed. Written informed consent from each donor is in accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations.

Consent Management

Consents are validated, uploaded, and linked to the biospecimen collection events using the LabVantage tracking system while following HIPAA regulations and maintaining protected health information.

Blood and Body Fluid Procurement, Processing and Storage

Project specific blood collection kits are prepared and stocked in the clinic and surgery areas. Blood and body fluids are procured, de-identified, processed, stored, and assigned to a registered project using the LabVantage tracking system.

Tissue Procurement, Processing and Storage

We prepare tissue collection kits before the surgery. We transport tissues from the operating rooms to pathology. Surplus tissue is verified for research after the clinical diagnosis. We then de-identify, process, store, and assign the tissues to a registered project using the itBioPath tracking system.

Biospecimen Distribution

Blood, body fluids, tissues, and their derivatives stored in the Biorepository are available upon request. Tissues distributed for research are confirmed by the Biorepository or collaborating pathologist prior to release. Permissions to release specimens may require investigator or group approval.

Please contact us at BMP-Disbursement@hci.utah.edu for requests or with any questions.