Research Outcomes in Children's Surgery (ROCS)

• CHCO Study Start Up (HSR Portal Submission)
• IRB submission
• Multi-site IRB
• PRMS submission (cancer center)
• Research Agreements (data sharing, data transfer)
• REDCap build (database, survey)

• Data abstraction
• Patient study enrollment support
• Qualitative interviews with study participants
• Epic/OnCore documentation 

• Assistance setting up and administering participant stipend requests
• Assistance in ordering research supplies
• Provide reference materials/ instructions (regulatory requirements, translation services, etc)
• Can refer out to other research groups depending on needs (RI, Compass, EPIC)

• Sample size calculation
• Analysis plan and protocol development
• Big data analysis (PHIS, TQIP)
• Retrospective data consulting
• Prospective data consulting
• Database structure and review (REDCap, data format)
• Randomization schedules
• Clinical trial and general study design
• Abstract and poster development
• Manuscript and grant preparation

• Study design
• Study protocol development
• Aims and hypothesis
• Recruitment approaches including appropriate inclusion and exclusion
• Developing a research program
• Creating a game plan for submitting grant proposals
• Develop conceptual models to guide data collection including appropriate outcomes measures 

In August 2024, ROCS conducted our 6th annual research bootcamp with three virtual sessions, designed for new researchers and trainees. The series provides an overview of key phases of research, didactic content including best practices, and opportunities for interactive engagement of material. The presenters also shared lessons learned and available resources across campus.

You can find more info of these sessions here:

• Grant Writing and Research Fundamentals (PDF)
  
• Conducting a Study (PDF)
• Data Collection Practices (PDF)
• Data Preparation for your Biostatistician (PDF)
  
• Building a Manuscript (PDF)
• Designing a Presentation (PDF)

The 2025 bootcamp will be held in August (date TBD)

Please contact Samantha Wilson at Samantha.wilson@cuanschutz.edu for access to the full presentation video files from previous years.

*SAVE THE DATE*
The Center for Children’s Surgery’s 8th Annual Research Symposium is scheduled to be held Friday February 21, 2025.

The symposium will highlight and celebrate the excellent work conducted by faculty, trainees, and research staff within the CCS. This event will include research presentations, a poster session, and panel sessions related to pediatric surgical care in the areas of Basic Science, Translational Science, Outcomes/Health Services, Multidisciplinary Team Science, and Quality Improvement. RSVPs will be required.

Please contact Samantha Wilson at samantha.wilson@cuanschutz.edu with questions.

Under the direction of Dr. Jill Kaar, Associate Professor for the Department of Pediatrics & Department of Surgery, the CCS hosts weekly works in progress (WIP) meetings on Fridays.

During each meeting, attendees present their research ideas, projects, proposals, manuscripts and more to the group for feedback. We have a blend of experience from assistant, associate, to full professors.

Dr. Kaar is very excited to connect faculty across various areas of expertise and build more excitement for conducting research within the CCS community.

Please contact Dr. Kaar with questions jill.kaar@cuanschutz.edu.

ROCS has established a collaborative space for all clinical research coordinators within CCS departments and divisions. The forum meets quarterly. This is typically an in person meeting with an option to Zoom in.

During these meetings we work with coordinators to navigate existing or new research processes at both CHCO and CU as well as provide a platform for coordinators to share new information or tips/tricks they have developed on their own.

Our primary objective with this forum is to establish a community across all CCS coordinators and centralize information dissemination and processes.

Please contact the ROCS team at rocs@childrenscolorado.org

ROCS now has research coordinators available to assist with study operations. Areas of support include: data abstraction, patient study enrollment support, qualitative interviews with study participants and Epic/OnCore documentation. This support is meant to supplement current research staff within Divisions/Departments (not replace) and to assist those faculty with no research coordinator support.  

Requests for support must be submitted via the intake processand will be reviewed for approval and assignment on a rolling basis. We will do our best to accommodate as many requests, across as many units as possible. 

• Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) dataset
  • Comparative pediatric database comprised of 49 pediatric hospitals nationwide
  • Patient abstract, diagnoses (ICD-9/10), procedures, billed transactions, utilization
• Benefits of PHIS
  • Clinical and resource utilization for inpatient, ambulatory surgery, emergency department, and observation unit patient encounter
  • Good source for gathering preliminary data using CHCO’s own operational data or comparing nationwide data
• Other Big Data available
  • Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID), Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), Trauma Quality Program (TQP), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)