Abstract Background and aims Researchers must rapidly identify eligible participants for time critical clinical stroke trials. At Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, around 3,000 patients are admitted each year via the stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) pathway. The team aims to screen all patients for all recruiting trials. Historically, this process relied on manual screening and documentation, which was time-intensive and prone to error and inefficiency. Methods To address these challenges, the team developed the Stroke Trial Tracker (STT), an electronic screening and patient management tool. It integrates hospital electronic health records with user-entered data and uses bespoke algorithms to automatically assess eligibility across multiple trials. It was developed using a Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle in collaboration with the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre and the Trust’s scientific computing team. Results Implementing STT reduced weekly screening from six hours to one, over 80% reduction. The system eliminated duplication, reduced errors, and provided real-time visibility and coordination across teams. Benefits included improved patient experience through fewer repeated or missed approaches, better protocol adherence, and enhanced data quality and auditability. Staff feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with all preferring the system over the previous manual method. Conclusions STT improved the efficiency, accuracy, and coordination of screening stroke patients trial eligibility. Its modular design supports expansion to other specialties and Trusts. National evaluation showed strong interest across other UK stroke centres, indicating wide applicability and scalability. STT demonstrates how a digitally enabled, nurse-led initiative can transform clinical research operations, improving both staff workflows and patient trial participation. Conflict of interest Emma Richards. Nothing to declare
Richards et al. (2026) studied this question.