Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) researchers have been involved in pediatric clinical trials for over 30 years. These clinical studies assure medicines, vaccines, and treatments for children are safe and effective. The majority of these studies are industry sponsored, while federal agency (FDA and NIH) and other grant awards supported the remaining trials. Many researchers conduct their clinical trials at ACRI’s Pediatric Clinical Research Unit (PCRU) located at ACH’s main hospital building. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the PCRU provides a 4,000-ft2 facility for high-quality clinical pediatric research. ACRI offers a staff of qualified nurse research coordinators to assist investigators with pre-site visits, IRB submissions, and day-to-day operations of their clinical studies. The costs associated with these services are direct expenses to the specific clinical study and are paid for by the sponsor. The PCRU has four semi-private and two private beds as well as a full laboratory and two freezers (−20°C and −70°C) for sample processing. It also includes a kitchen, offices, equipment storage, waiting area, and small conference room. ACRI provides a nearby on-site Research Pharmacy for the PCRU on an adjoining corridor.
Contact: PCRU Clinical Research Manager Robin Gibson, RN, M.N.Sc., CCRP at GibsonRobinA@uams.edu.