Health Sciences

We plan, design, manage, and evaluate science-driven clinical research. Our work and influence in clinical research spans analytical, epidemiological, laboratory, medical, social, and behavioral sciences. Over the years, our research scientists have supported clients and collaborators in developing publications accepted in peer-reviewed journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Environmental Health Perspectives, Cancer Research, and Maternal and Child Health Journal.

Constella’s clinical research expertise extends well into the global product development market, where we support pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients with services ranging from pre-clinical to market approval.

Specific offerings that Constella provides include:

• Bioinformatics
• Genetic and Genomic Data Analysis
• Bio- and Mathematical Statistical Consulting
• Record Linkage Methods, Development and Practice
• Clinical Study Design and Operations
• Survey Research

Selected Projects

• NIEHS Clinical Research Support
• National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System

NIEHS Clinical Research Support

Client: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Constella supports the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences by performing a wide range of clinical research studies on behalf of the Institute. This long-term contract encompasses numerous individual studies, and includes intervention trials, case-control, and prospective observational studies. Constella provides study planning and development expertise, and facilitates Institutional Review Board processes, subject sampling and recruitment, oversight and monitoring of patient treatments and lifestyle interventions, questionnaire administration, collection and testing of both environmental and biological samples, medical record abstraction, tracing and follow-up, data management, biostatistical analysis, and reporting.

National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System

Client: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Hospital Infections Program

The Hospital Infections Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Infectious Diseases wanted to assess the accuracy of nosocomial infection surveillance data that had been reported by hospitals participating in the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system. Constella was tasked to evaluate methods of facilitating nosocomial infection case finding and to collect and to analyze the data.

We recruited and trained 34 infection control practitioners to perform chart reviews of approximately 125 to 150 patient records in each participating hospital. Working with the client, we developed and deployed software that facilitated on-site record management and processing. Our comprehensive data analyses identified important correlates and trends associated with case-finding performance that were reflected in subsequent guidelines for reporting to the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system.