The European COMFORT project has launched this week in Catalonia its clinical study on the feasibility and acceptability of blood microsampling in healthcare. This technique is less invasive than traditional venipuncture and may therefore improve people’s experience during blood collection procedures. In Catalonia, the study is coordinated by the IDIAPJGol and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR).

The first microsampling procedures have taken place at the Roquetes primary care centre, part of the Catalan Health Institute (ICS) in Terres de l’Ebre, and at the Sant Martí de Provençals primary care centre, part of ICS Barcelona.

The aim of the project is to assess whether blood microsampling can enable faster and less uncomfortable procedures for patients, thereby improving the experience associated with blood draws, which can be traumatic for some individuals.

The COMFORT project is part of the European Innovative Health Initiative and involves the participation of 14 countries. The clinical study is being carried out simultaneously in Spain, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic, involving populations with diverse characteristics, including older adults, oncology patients, people with cardiovascular diseases, and paediatric populations.

COMFORT is a European project funded by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No. 101163781.