1. Introduction: The initial part of the audit for the subjects for the Cultured Skin Substitute (CSS) study began August 1, 2010 with the Morley Research Consortium (formerly the Walter B. Morley Research Foundation) modifying the electronic database created solely for the purpose of collecting the data for the CSS audit. This second audit was conducted for the initial subject numbers 1 through 81 that the University of Cincinnati was unable to complete due to lack of available personnel. Morley Research Consortium (MRC) was retained to review these subjects based on the corrective action plan submitted by the University of Cincinnati (UC) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The case report forms and subject records were reviewed by MRC personnel. The Edmonton Alberta Canada site requested that MRC audit on site, rather than transport records to the MRC office. This was due to the fact that the site did not want to ship the subject records internationally. MRC auditors J ane Green, PhD, and Donald J ohnson audited the one subject on site in Edmonton, Canada in late November, 2010. This report includes the findings of each section that was to be specifically reviewed, and a copy of each individual subject record as an attached appendix.
2. Demographics/ Subject Status Summary The demographics of the subjects of the Cultured Skin Study were captured on the case report forms for general use. There were no restrictions per the protocol for age, gender, or race. The age for the study participants ranged from a few months old up to 42 years old. The breakdown for race, shown in figure 1.1, indicates that the majority of subjects were Caucasian, then followed by Hispanic and African American, and Asian. As shown in figure 1.2, the overall gender of the study audit population was male. Males are shown to be five times more likely to be a burn patient with respect to the make-up of this study. Per figure 1.3, the majority of study subjects were enrolled by the Cincinnati Shriners site, followed by Sacramento Shriners, then the Boston Shriners, with one subject enrolled at the Edmonton, Canada University Hospital site. The questions that evolved from the enrollment of these outlying sites will be addressed within the specific section where the question occurred. 4 | P a g e
Figure 1.1- Subject Race Summary There were fifty (50) subjects identified as White in the audit sample. One subject (Subject 60) was allotted two separate subject numbers (60 and 72) thus explaining the use of 51 subject numbers, yet only having 50 subjects in the sample identified as White. Fifteen (15) subjects identified as Black in the audit sample. Fourteen (14) subjects identified as Hispanic and one subject identified as Asian in the audit sample. 5 | P a g e
Figure 1.2- Subject Gender Summary There were eighty (80) consented subjects in the audit population. Fifty-two (52) subjects consist of the male sample and twenty-eight (28) subjects consist of the female sample. One subject (Subject 60) was allotted two separate subject numbers (60 and 72) thus explaining the use of 53 male subjects, yet only having 52 subjects in the audit sample. The audit population was eighty-one (81), which includes subject 60 being allotted two separate numbers (60 &72).
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Figure 1.3- Subject Hospital Summary Sixty-six (66) subjects that participated in the study enrolled at Cincinnati Shriners. One subject (Subject 60) was allotted to have two separate subject numbers (60 and 72) thus explaining the use of 67 subjects, yet only have 66 enrolling at Cincinnati Shriners. Eleven (11) subjects enrolled at Sacramento Shriners. Two (2) subjects enrolled at Boston Shriners and one (1) subject enrolled at Edmonton, Canada University Hospital.
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3. Microbiology
Figure 2.1- Microbiology Summary The N/A column refer to the subjects that expired, discontinued/ not treated with study device, covered with AG before CSS grafts were ready, or received skin reconstruction. The No column refer to 163 Site As had no as a field for microbiologys completed and 322 Site Bs had no as a field for microbiologys completed. The Yes column refer to 747 Site As had yes as a field for microbiologys completed and 551 Site Bs had yes as a field for microbiologys completed. The sum of Site A (N/A, No, & Yes) completed is 1230 and the sum of Site B (N/A, No, & Yes) total is 1196. N/A under the Site column refer to the Sources that were not skin (i.e. blood, sinus tract, chest, sputum, tracheal aspirate, and urine) so, they received N/A for the site location as it relates to the cultured organism that grew. Conclusion: The microbiology report does not provide any useful information given that the sites did not record sites A and B correctly and accurately identify the exact body area (so that CSS could be correctly identified) as opposed to the AG sites. Also the case report forms do not indicate which set the microbiology reports represent. As many sets were performed together or within a week of another set, it is impossible to determine any accurate data points from this information as should have been if the protocol had been accurately followed.
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4. Skin and Wound Organisms
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Figure 3.1- Skin and Wounds Organisms Summary
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5. Site Regrafted
Figure 4.1- Site Regrafted Summary
Conclusion: It appears that there were less regrafts needed for the CSS device, however the fact that there were 87 unable to verify plus 1 unknown, makes it difficult to determine the outcome. If one looks at the percentages of what was documented, one could assume that of that 88 probably 85 would have been AG and 3 would have been CSS. However this is not documented, therefore the numbers again, do not provide the scientifc validation required for good clinical research.
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6. Site Regrafted Wound Closure
Figure 5.1- Site Regrafted Wound Closure Summary The above graph identifies that the vast majority of the regrafting did have wound closure. As most of the graphs were AG, this is not a significant finding for the study.
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7. Nature of Infection
Figure 6.1- Nature of Infection Summary The collection of the Infection data was inconclusive. There was no documentation as to whether the infections were related to any of the CSS placement or the burn. The vast majority of the source documentation (Physician records) indicates that most of the infections were related to conditions of the burn. The Physicians did not mention the CSS other than in the surgical reports to say that the CSS was being placed on the subjects. This obviously follows that same pattern as the previous audit, in the manner that the physicians were not trained in good clinical practices (GCP). Individual records of the infections can be found in the appendix of this report in the subject individual records.
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8. Survival
Figure 7.1- Survival Summary Subjects that received CSS before expiration: Subject 2 (TBSA 87.5%) received 2 sets of CSS and had 24 days of treatment. The AE occurred 9 J uly 1998, which the patient temperature spike suddenly to 42.9 degrees centigrade, had a seizure, became tachycardic then bradycardic. ACLS protocol was implemented for an hour, but patient was unresponsive to all cardiac medications. The episode occurred 2 months after the burn. His wounds were covered and he was not under treatment for any infection or complication. The coroner found no immediate explanation for death at this point postburn, on gross exam. Exact cause of death has not been identified pending coroners final report. No final coroners report was in the subjects file. Subject 16 (TBSA 85 %) received 3 sets of CSS (days of treatment unknown). The AE occurred 19 August 1999, which the patient death was the result of multi-system organ failure and sepsis. Subject 36 (TBSA 69%) received 2 sets of CSS (days of treatment unknown). The AE occurred 22 December 2000 despite efforts to achieve burn wound excision and coverage, this patient became septic on two separate occasions, experienced hepatomegaly, compartment syndrome 15 | P a g e
(abdominal), respiratory distress and renal failure. More than 2 months after the initial injury, the patients status was critical/unstable, and the site was unable to oxygenate or ventilate the patient. Despite maximal support, the patient was unable to survive his injury. Subject 38 (TBSA 69.5 %) received 3 sets of CSS (days of treatment unknown). The subject was in ICU on 8 April 2001 as a result of second bout of sepsis, started on triple antibiotics. Condition worsened and on 11 April 2001 patient went into Septic Shock/ Renal & Pulmonary failure. Despite aggressive treatment, patient experienced MSOF resulting in death on 18 April 2001. Subject 42 (TBSA 93%) received 3 sets of CSS (days of treatment unknown). The subject developed a fever of 42 degrees centigrade; her sputum revealed she was infected with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. The secretions increased and her ability to adequately ventilate required for her to be placed on a ventilator. Despite multiple antibiotics the patient continued to have high fevers. Patient expired on 14 August 2001 due to acute cardiac decompensation, sepsis and complications from her initial burn injury. Subject 64 (TBSA 95%) received 4 sets of CSS (days of treatment unknown). On 6 December 2002 the patient endured a septic event requiring ventilation, inotropic and CPR support. A blood culture was positive for Klebsielia. Patient was treated for Klebsielia sepsis. According to the Coroner Investigators worksheet from Sacramento County, the deceased was an 8 year old male that was diagnosed with an intracranial bleed caused by a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm. A doctor at Shriners Hospital attributed the aneurysm to an infection in the deceases blood that was caused by his extended hospitalizations after the patient suffered 90% TBSA burns during a Molotov cocktail explosion. According to St. Josephs Medical records, the patient went into the Emergency Room on 8 February 2008 for an apparent fall, due to possible seizure, which caused an altered level of consciousness. A CT scan showed a large left sided subdural hematoma. A craniotomy was done to relieve pressure. There was a permanent tracheostomy in place, as well as PICC lines. Arrangements for transfer to UC Davis Medical Center for continued care after the craniotomy was made. The patient arrived at Shriners Hospital via helicopter and was in ICU unit at the time of coding. They noted slow systems failure, along with decreased brain activity. Apnea tests were conducted and showed signs of brain death. The death summary by the treating physician stated at that time, he was not expected to survive those burn injuries. Over the course of approximately 4 years, the patient was in and out of Shriners Hospital for medical care and was well known by them. The most significant complicated hospitalization was for cardiomyopathy, which lasted for 2 years, multiple infections, and sepsis episodes. He was able to recover sufficiently to be discharged home for care provided by the mother. It was an opinion of the treating physician for Shriners Hospital, that had not the burn injuries occurred, the patient would have never acquired the infections associated and the Endocarditis would not have been there to contribute cause to the aneurysm. Patient expired 9 February 2008. 16 | P a g e
Subjects that died before CSS was applied: Subject 1, Subject 8, Subject 18, Subject 21, Subject 26, Subject 32, Subject 37, Subject 43, Subject 44, Subject 45, Subject 46, Subject 54, Subject 59, Subject 66, Subject 71 and Subject 81. Six subjects were either discontinued/not treated with study device, received reconstruction, or covered with AG before CSS grafts were ready. Subject 23 (Living w/ problems)-discontinued from study without treatment. Subject 24 (Living no problems)-was not treated but was a reconstructive case. Subject 30 (Living w/ problems)- did not receive device but was a reconstructive case. Subject 49 (Living w/ problems)-was covered with AG before CSS grafts were ready. Subject 52 (Living no problems)-was not treated with study device. Subject 61 (Living w/ problems)-was not treated with study device. Final Outcome: 6 Subjects received CSS before expiration. 16 Subjects died before CSS was applied. 6 Subjects are in other category. 45 Subjects are living with problems 8 Subjects are living no problems
Conclusion: There does not appear to be any deaths related directly to the study device. The deaths appear to be related to the burn event. There are no subject survivors that are living with problems that are related to the CSS device.
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9. Final Conclusion and Assessment
Study documentation data from the subject audit for numbers 1-81 of the CSS study show similar flaws that the study audit of numbers 82-138 produced. The reasons have all been previously documented in the prior audit report. At this time, the auditors would like to note that treating physicians for the burn subjects all feel very strongly that the Cultured Skin Substitute helped save many lives. The fact that the majority of subjects that did receive the CSS device are still alive and functioning with minimal releases and regrafting required is significant enough to note. An opinion of the Edmonton, Canada primary burn physician is that the CSS is superior to all other alternative treatments for burn patients. This opinion was given during an interview with the physician that was in charge of the CSS study. While the study information cannot stand up to the scientific rigor that is required by a clinical trial, survival statistics show that the CSS has significant merit. A proper well controlled redesigned study utilizing the CSS, with meticulous attention to details of the protocol, and thorough training and documentation processes being provided to the physicians, nursing and research staff would be beneficial to the scientific community. The audit shows that the benefit of the CSS has a major importance to offer to burn victims.