Code lists are only relevant to double blind trials. The code list provides the link between the randomisation code and the true treatment group. It is used by the drug packager or pharmacist, for instance, to label the active and placebo treatments with the randomisation code - see the FAQ for more information. Here is an example of a code list in the randomisation system:
| Block | Code | Site | Treatment group | On site? | Used? | Date used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QB2 | UCL | Placebo | Yes | No | |
| 1 | AV3 | UCL | Placebo | Yes | No | |
| 1 | QM9 | UCL | Active | Yes | No | |
| 1 | FW0 | UCL | Placebo | Yes | No | |
| 1 | KP8 | UCL | Active | Yes | No | |
| 1 | EW3 | UCL | Active | Yes | No |
The randomisation system does not display the treatment group, but it is useful for administrators to view the remainder of the code list because it shows the location of trial treatments and whether they are available for use.
For trials that have a code list, a Code list link will be shown in the left-hand sidebar to administrators. The list can be searched in the same way as the randomisations. Some trials have expiry dates on codes - these are shown in the list if this option is enabled.
Individual codes or blocks of unused codes can be assigned to different trial sites and marked as on site using the form provided. Only codes marked as on site and unused are available for randomisation. Multiple codes or blocks can be updated by specifying lists (e.g. 3,7,8). In addition, multiple blocks can be specified with ranges (e.g. 1-6).
Tip: check the ‘Drug stocks’ report frequently and make sure that sites have enough codes on site and available. If minimisation is being used, randomisation may fail unless all treatment groups are available on site.
For some trials, the expiry dates of blocks of codes may also be updated using the form provided. Only unexpired codes will be used for randomisation.
Notes may be added to codes in the list. This might be useful to record when kits are lost or damaged, or removed for testing etc.
The full code list can be downloaded by clicking on the ‘Download as CSV’ link shown at the bottom of the code listing. The code list will be sent as a plain text comma separated value file. The field names are given in the first row. For example:
id,randomId,siteId,block,expiryDate,code,onSite,used,dateUsed,siteName
1,7,23,2000,2012-11-29,2000/21,1,1,"2007-04-18 12:45:43",Bath
2,6,23,2000,2012-11-29,2000/22,1,1,"2007-04-14 22:12:17",Bath
3,,23,2000,2012-11-29,2000/23,1,0,,Bath
4,,23,2000,2012-11-29,2000/24,1,0,,Bath
5,8,23,2000,2012-11-29,2000/25,1,1,"2007-04-23 20:37:12",Bath
6,,23,2000,2012-11-29,2000/26,1,0,,Bath
7,13,23,2000,2012-11-29,2000/27,1,1,"2007-04-28 22:59:45",Bath
8,,23,2000,2012-11-29,2000/28,1,0,,Bath
9,,,2001,2011-12-30,2001/21,0,0,,
10,,,2001,2011-12-30,2001/22,0,0,,
The fields will necessarily vary depending on the trial but the following core fields will always be present: