Informed Consent:      (Top)

1 - 2 weeks before Check-In day.

Laboratory Screening:       (Top)

1 - 2 weeks before Check-In day.

Typically, you will have to "fast"  (not eat) for 8 to 10 hours before going in for the screening.  You may also be required to stop consuming caffeine products, foods containing poppy seeds, grapefruit products including grapefruit juice and to stop strenuous exercising.  Also, you should not have done any illicit drugs recently or consumed alcohol.  

Next, although not in this order:

The screening visit will typically last 2 to 4 hours depending on how many people are screening.  If you do have to fast, it is recommended that you bring a few snacks with.  The staff will advise you when you can eat.  Typically you cannot eat until you have done both your urine and blood samples.  Some facilities will provide snacks.

Physical Screening:      (Top)

1 - 2 weeks before Check-In day. 

This may be done at the first screening, or may be done after the lab results are completed and on a different day.

Most times, this is just simple open your mouth and say ahhh type stuff.  No turn and cough type stuff.  Although this can very depending on the requirements of the study.  Expect basic stuff like listening to your heart, checking eyes, ears and throat.  Doctor will usually check reflexes and hand eye coordination

The doctor will confirm the medical history you gave over the phone and may ask some simple questions from the "Informed Consent" form like the name of the drug company or the name of the drug you will be testing.  This doesn't happen always, but it's nice to know this information.  Doctors are looking for serious people who are going to be reliable during the study.  

24 hr Heart Monitor:     (Top)

1 - 2 weeks before Check-In day.

Certain procedures are allowed to be repeated if out of range. 

Your height and weight are pretty much set in stone, so if your BMI is out of range, then your out of luck.

Vitals are repeated on the spot using the machine and if still out of range, may be redone by a paramedic.  If out of range after that, then you'll be disqualified. 

Certain urine values can be repeated.  If blood is found in the urine or the urine PH level is too low, then you may get a repeat. 

Drugs and alcohol are zero tolerance, therefore no repeats as you will usually be banned from returning to the clinic.  You will have to come in at a later time to do this. 

Certain blood values may be repeated..  You will have to come in at a later time to do this. 

ECG's are typically set in stone unless there was too much artifact which should have been caught while the ECG was being done. 

There will be times when you don't qualify for a study after screening.  The recruiter will call you or if it was for vitals or BMI, you may be told at the screening. Unless the reason you were disqualified was deemed medically significant, you should be able to screen for another study.  Sometimes you will be referred to an outside doctor (at your expense) before they will allow you to screen again.  This will be explained to you if necessary. 

There is no payment for screening.  A few clinics will give you a stipend to assist with travel expenses (mainly on east coast).  This will usually be between $20 and $50.  No guarantees! 

Under very special circumstances, you may be paid for the screening.  This usually is because you may be required to stay a night or two as part of the screening process or do other unusual procedures. 

Selection Process:     (Top)

The clinic will first determine who qualifies for the study based on the screening results.  If more people qualify than spaces are available, then subjects are usually enrolled on a first screened, first qualified basis.