IRB Advisor – August 1, 2009
August 1, 2009
View Issues
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Pandemic paralysis: H1N1 influenza underscores barriers to timely research
As the world faces its first flu pandemic in more than 40 years, researchers say slow, complicated ethics review processes hinder their ability to respond effectively to emerging infectious diseases. -
Prepare your IRB now for disease outbreaks
Taking steps now to streamline approval processes for fast-moving diseases will better prepare IRBs to handle not just the current H1N1 virus, but future viruses as well, says Raphael Saginur, MD, FRCPC, chief of the infectious disease division and chairman of the research ethics board (REB) at Ottawa Hospital in Ontario. -
Software tool aids research protects confidentiality
Improving ease of access to potential research data while aggressively protecting identifiable patient information it's a goal that many institutions struggle with. -
IRBs tie up study with informed consent changes
Gaining approvals from 36 IRBs for a multisite, multilingual epidemiologic study of tuberculosis gave Dolly Katz, who serves on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's IRB, insight as to what it's like on the other side of the protocol. -
Small IRBs weigh benefits, buy-in when going green
Some larger research institutions in recent years have taken incremental steps to having an electronic IRB submission, review, and documentation process. But transitioning to a paperless process has been more of a challenge for smaller IRBs and institutions. -
Paperless pointers: How to make a smooth switch
No matter what size your IRB is, you can move to an electronic process for IRB submissions, reviews, and management. -
Binding order: IRB book improves communication
Keeping IRB chairs and members updated and well informed can be challenging when an institution's human subjects research is rapidly expanding. -
Best Practice Pointers: Reduce IRB meeting length with even slate
It was clear to IRB coordinators that something had to be done to improve the length of IRB meetings. Some of the four biomedical IRBs at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, were fairly fast in reviewing protocols, but others took too long.