5 Proven Ways to Expand Clinical Trial Site Capacity

How sponsors keep patient enrollment moving and avoid ocular assessment bottlenecks

When recruitment outpaces assessment capacity, timelines slip, and qualified participants disengage. Traditional, facility-bound models were built for predictable volumes. Today’s studies require elastic capacity, distributed access, and standardized data collection, without the need for new capital projects.

Why assessment bottlenecks matter

• Timeline risk: Limited rooms, equipment, or staff create scheduling backlogs that push first-patient-in/last-patient-out.
• Access and diversity: Centralized facilities can exclude participants who can’t travel or take time off.
• Competing priorities: Multiple protocols chase the same slots and specialists, slowing all programs.
• Participant experience: Friction (distance, time, reschedules) increases attrition risk.

Where conventional site models fall short

• Facility-dependent operations: Capacity grows only with square footage and construction.
• Distance-based barriers: Participants must travel to hub sites for every assessment.
• Idle assets: Equipment sits underused between cohorts or studies.
• Staffing conflicts: Specialists are overbooked across protocols.
• Inconsistent methods: Multi-site variability adds noise and rework.

5 capacity multipliers that work and keep data first-time-right

1) Mobile Vision Clinics (Point-of-Need)

Bring ophthalmic exams and imaging to participants or satellite locations.

• Direct access: Reduce travel/time burden by positioning resources where enrollment is happening.
• Same quality, new location: Calibrated devices, certified staff, and SOPs mirror permanent sites.
• Regulatory alignment: Standardized workflows and documentation remain inspection-ready.

2) Modular On-Site Augmentation

Add temporary, protocol-specific exam stations inside existing facilities.

• No buildout required: Use under-utilized spaces for dedicated assessment lanes.
• Throughput relief: Separate high-demand procedures from general clinic flow to reduce clashes.

3) Distributed Assessment Networks

Stand up coordinated assessment days across a region.

• Geographic coverage: Meet participants closer to home while centralizing scheduling and data oversight.
• Method uniformity: Identical training, competency checks, and data-collection SOPs across all nodes.

4) Dynamic Scheduling Windows

Extend availability to match participant reality.

• After-hours/weekends: Flexible slots reduce cancellations and no-shows.
• Demand-responsive staffing: Scale certified teams during enrollment surges; right-size when demand eases.

5) Hybrid Assessment Architecture

Blend remote pre-visit steps with on-site imaging and exams.

• Smart sequencing: Complete eligibility confirmations and questionnaires remotely before clinic time.
• Clean handoffs: Standardized data capture and verification across digital and physical touchpoints.

Why capacity architecture beats “more of the same”

Modern trials need adaptive capacity, not just more appointments. The goal is to add throughput while protecting data integrity.

What changes with 20/20 Onsite

How we size the impact with your numbers

We model capacity and timelines using your actual constraints: rooms, devices, staff hours, expected visit mix, and enrollment targets. From there, we design a point-of-need plan (mobile, modular, distributed, or hybrid) with clear SOPs, QC steps, and reporting so you can add throughput without adding buildings.

Turn capacity limits into enrollment momentum

If your study includes ocular endpoints and assessment slots are the bottleneck, we can help you expand capacity quickly, while maintaining data accuracy and ensuring documentation is audit-ready.

"We want to see your trial succeed, and we do this by listening to your needs and delivering a solution, customized to your capacity concerns."

- Dr. Katherine Harkins, Director, Optometry, 20/20 Onsite

Request a Protocol Review by the 20/20 Onsite Ophthalmic Experts.

Note: Performance improvements depend on indication, protocol complexity, visit mix, geography, and baseline operations.