The project, which will analyse the health of 4,000 people in the Girona region over a decade, relies on a high-precision logistical framework to connect local primary care with research laboratories.
Behind every great scientific discovery lies a methodical and often invisible process. With the deployment of Girostudi across different towns and villages in Girona, the volume of data and biological samples keeps growing. But what exactly happens from the moment a resident agrees to participate until their contribution is securely stored in a laboratory?
This is the journey these samples take to ensure that every drop of community support is transformed into medical knowledge.
The journey begins at home
It all starts with a “yes” to the call from our coordination team. From there, a face-to-face interview conducted by Ipsos interviewers is scheduled to gather data on lifestyle habits, as well as physical and cognitive health.
During this same meeting, the first biological contribution is made: a small hair and nail sample, which travels directly to the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI). Before leaving, the participant receives kits with instructions to collect urine, stool, and saliva samples at home, along with a reminder for the most important appointment: the blood draw at their local health centre.
The clinic as the operations hub
On the day of the appointment, the participant arrives at their Primary Care Centre (ABS) with the kits prepared at home. There, the nursing team from the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) Girona or the Health Assistance Institute (IAS) performs the blood draw. Local clinics thus become the primary reception points for the study.
From this point on, a race against the clock begins. The tubes and kits are placed in special containers that guarantee a stable temperature and travel, via the region’s regular medical transport network, to the Martí i Julià Hospital Park in Salt.
Results straight to the patient’s medical record
The first stop on this journey is the Clinical Laboratory at Santa Caterina Hospital. Here, the project gives back to participants by offering a direct benefit: part of the blood sample is used to perform a comprehensive clinical analysis.
These results are uploaded directly to the participant’s profile on ‘La Meva Salut’, ensuring they have immediate access to this information for their own health management and preventive medical care.
Anonymity and ultra-freezing
The remaining blood, urine, stool, and saliva are quickly transferred to the IDIBGI Biobank facilities, joining the hair and nail samples from the first day.
First, a strict security protocol is applied: all samples are anonymised, completely stripped of any names or personal details, and converted into a fully confidential numerical code. Technicians then divide them into tiny portions (called aliquots) and store them in ultra-freezer systems. This allows the Biobank to act as a true time capsule, preserving the viability of these samples throughout the project’s 10-year duration.
The value of saying yes
This rigorous logistical framework is the only way to transform thousands of small individual contributions into the largest public health map of our region.
The Girostudi route continues to move through Girona’s local areas, and the response from selected residents is the true engine of the project. So, if you receive a call from our team, we encourage you to participate: your time today is tomorrow’s health.
