COVID-19RETURNNCT04472793
Repeated Employee Testing for Understanding Our Recovery to Normal
An observational study of COVID-19, run by Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this research study is 1) to conduct a prospective longitudinal surveillance research trial, enrolling up to 200 CCHMC employees as they come back to work, and then following their clinical and laboratory parameters for up to 12 months; and 2) to support the ongoing development of diagnostic techniques… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- COVID-19
- What is being tested?
- SARS-CoV-2
- How many people
- 236 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 11 May 2020to 31 Dec 2023
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Adult men and women who are employed full time at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Who may be able to join
- Current full-time employees at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
- Age: >18.0 years of age, at the time of enrollment
- Cell phone that can be used for text messaging or web-based viewing of surveys
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
- Ability to comply with all study related evaluations and follow-up
Who cannot join
- Previous proven SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive PCR-based molecular test)
- Any condition or illness that makes study participation ill-advised
- Currently or planning to enroll in a COVID-19 vaccine or prophylaxis study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229
About this study
The purpose of this research study is 1) to conduct a prospective longitudinal surveillance research trial, enrolling up to 200 CCHMC employees as they come back to work, and then following their clinical and laboratory parameters for up to 12 months; and 2) to support the ongoing development of diagnostic techniques for COVID-19. The overall goal is to investigate patterns of SARS-COV-2 infection, including immunological recovery and genetic risk factors, among CCHMC employees to better understand how to safely reintroduce the CCHMC work force back into their normal routines.
Read the detailed description
As the global and pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) continues, many knowledge gaps remain with regard to the epidemiology and transmission of infection, as well as the normal immunological responses after viral exposure. Cincinnati only recently (March 14, 2020) had its first confirmed case of COVID-19, and through shelter-in-place and social distancing efforts, has avoided the community spread experienced by some other large metropolitan areas. As investigators contemplate the gradual reintroduction of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) workforce back into the hospital, it is imperative that investigators determine the current prevalence of infection among CCHMC employees, measure the cumulative incidence of infection over the next 12 months, investigate the normal antibody patterns after infection, and help elucidate what constitutes a protective immunological response. Investigators have a unique but time-limited opportunity to optimally track the epidemiology and natural history of SARS-CoV-2 infection at CCHMC, including risk factors for transmission and immunological recovery. RETURN will investigate epidemiological and immunological features of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in a limited cohort of CCHMC employees, as they return from the current shelter-at-home directive toward a normal work environment. By collecting and analyzing weekly serial samples for SARS-CoV-2 (nasal swab for virus by PCR) and monthly serological exposure (serum antibodies by ELISA), investigators will determine the prevalence and cumulative incidence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2; document the antibody responses over time; identify cases of apparent viral recrudescence or re-infection; and create models of transmission risk among CCHMC employees.
- Conditions
- COVID-19
- Being tested
- SARS-CoV-2
- Medical subject headings
- COVID-19
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SARS-CoV-2Diagnostic test
- Testing weekly samples from nasal swabs to promptly diagnose acute COVID-19 infection.
- Testing monthly serum samples to document post-viral infection.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time CCHMC Employees | Not described Receives: Diagnostic Test: SARS-CoV-2 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The 6-month cumulative incidence of acquired COVID infection in the study cohort.
Acquired COVID is defined as testing negative for COVID at baseline and having 1 or more weekly nasal swab samples testing positive for the virus by PCR
Measured: Weekly for 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Jul 2020
- Study start11 May 2020
- Primary completion31 Dec 2022
- Study completion31 Dec 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for COVID-19Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Children's Hospital Medical Center, CincinnatiThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 236 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Russell Ware, MD, PhD, Principal investigator, Children's Hospital Medical Center, CincinnatiMary Allen Staat, MD, MPH, Principal investigator, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04472793
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RETURN
- Acronym
- RETURN
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 3 Jun 2020
- Last updated
- 17 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Repeated Employee Testing for Understanding Our Recovery to Normal
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04472793
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- RETURN / RETURN
- Conditions
- COVID-19
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 236 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Children's Hospital Medical Center, CincinnatiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 11 May 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Jul 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this research study is 1) to conduct a prospective longitudinal surveillance research trial, enrolling up to 200 CCHMC employees as they come back to work, and then following their clinical and laboratory parameters for up to 12 months; and 2) to support the ongoing development of diagnostic techniques for COVID-19. The overall goal is to investigate patterns of SARS-COV-2 infection, including immunological recovery and genetic risk factors, among CCHMC employees to better understand how to safely reintroduce the CCHMC work force back into their normal routines.
Detailed description
As the global and pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) continues, many knowledge gaps remain with regard to the epidemiology and transmission of infection, as well as the normal immunological responses after viral exposure. Cincinnati only recently (March 14, 2020) had its first confirmed case of COVID-19, and through shelter-in-place and social distancing efforts, has avoided the community spread experienced by some other large metropolitan areas. As investigators contemplate the gradual reintroduction of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) workforce back into the hospital, it is imperative that investigators determine the current prevalence of infection among CCHMC employees, measure the cumulative incidence of infection over the next 12 months, investigate the normal antibody patterns after infection, and help elucidate what constitutes a protective immunological response. Investigators have a unique but time-limited opportunity to optimally track the epidemiology and natural history of SARS-CoV-2 infection at CCHMC, including risk factors for transmission and immunological recovery. RETURN will investigate epidemiological and immunological features of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in a limited cohort of CCHMC employees, as they return from the current shelter-at-home directive toward a normal work environment. By collecting and analyzing weekly serial samples for SARS-CoV-2 (nasal swab for virus by PCR) and monthly serological exposure (serum antibodies by ELISA), investigators will determine the prevalence and cumulative incidence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2; document the antibody responses over time; identify cases of apparent viral recrudescence or re-infection; and create models of transmission risk among CCHMC employees.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time CCHMC Employees | – | Diagnostic Test: SARS-CoV-2 |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Adult men and women who are employed full time at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Current full-time employees at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
- Age: >18.0 years of age, at the time of enrollment
- Cell phone that can be used for text messaging or web-based viewing of surveys
- Willing and able to provide informed consent
- Ability to comply with all study related evaluations and follow-up
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Previous proven SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive PCR-based molecular test)
- Any condition or illness that makes study participation ill-advised
- Currently or planning to enroll in a COVID-19 vaccine or prophylaxis study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SARS-CoV-21. Testing weekly samples from nasal swabs to promptly diagnose acute COVID-19 infection. 2. Testing monthly serum samples to document post-viral infection. | Diagnostic test | Full-Time CCHMC Employees |
Primary outcome
The 6-month cumulative incidence of acquired COVID infection in the study cohort.
Time frame: Weekly for 6 months
Acquired COVID is defined as testing negative for COVID at baseline and having 1 or more weekly nasal swab samples testing positive for the virus by PCR
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Jul 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Russell Ware, MD, PhD principal investigator
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Mary Allen Staat, MD, MPH principal investigator
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of COVID-19, run by Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The 6-month cumulative incidence of acquired COVID infection in the study cohort. (time frame: Weekly for 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jul 2025.