Enrolling subjects before theElectronic Data Capture (EDC) systemis ready poses majordata integrity and compliance risks. The primary issue is thatdata cannot be accurately captured, validated, or monitoredwithout the system in place.
Per theGCDMP (Chapter: Data Management Planning and Study Start-up), data collection systems must befully validated, tested, and releasedbefore enrollment begins to ensure:
Real-time data entry and quality control
Proper tracking of adverse events (AEs/SAEs)
Audit trails and traceability for regulatory compliance
Option A highlights the most critical consequence — without an operational EDC, data collection and verification processes cannot occur, compromising data quality and study oversight.
While options B, C, and D may be partially true, they aresecondary effects. The fundamental consideration is data capture capability and monitoring control, makingoption Acorrect.
Reference (CCDM-Verified Sources):
SCDM GCDMP, Chapter: Data Management Planning and Study Start-up, Section 4.2 – EDC Readiness and System Validation
ICH E6(R2) GCP, Section 5.5.3 – Computerized Systems Validation Before Use
FDA Guidance for Industry: Computerized Systems Used in Clinical Investigations, Section 6.1 – System Qualification Prior to Data Entry