VAIRRS Updates: What's New in April

Veterans Health Administration sent this bulletin at 04/20/2023 11:09 AM EDT

April 2023

HOT TOPICS

IRB Information Sheet Updates
ISSO and PO Reviewer Designations
Research Administration Workspace

IRB Information Sheet Wizard Completion Campaign

The IRB Information Sheet wizard completion campaign is currently underway, and we need your help to reach our goal of 100%. As of now, 57% of the active human research projects have completed an IRB Information Sheet wizard. As a reminder, all human research projects must complete this wizard. Projects under the oversight of an affiliate or external IRB are also expected to complete the IRB Information Sheet wizard.

IN FOCUS

VAIRRS Mentor Program

We are pleased to announce that the VAIRRS Mentor Program will kick off this month with the selected mentors and mentees. Thank you to everyone who has applied to participate. In May, we will begin to introduce the VAIRRS mentors.

Please note that applications for either role can still be submitted throughout 2023. As new mentorship slots become available, we will contact applicants from the backlog. You can access the mentor/mentee applications via the VAIRRS Mentor Program SharePoint page.

VAIRRS University

VAIRRS University has added a new IRBNet energizer to the administrator/submission coordinator role, “Responding to RCO Audits” (task area button 23). This energizer walks users through the steps involved in responding to an RCO (research compliance officer) audit recorded for their board.

If you would like to learn more about VAIRRS University, the recording of the VAIRRS University walk-through webinar is available. The presentation is led by VAIRRS experts who dive into the details of the new training library.

If you have questions about VAIRRS University, please contact the VAIRRS Support Team at VAIRRS@va.gov.

IRB Information Sheet Updates

We need your input! The IRB Information Sheet is still under revision to improve clarity and response options. The draft wizard outline is currently available for review on the VAIRRS SharePoint portal under the VAIRRS Change Control Board menu option.

The next round of updates include changes to the following sections:

Tool-Tips and Additional Guidance Throughout
Exemption Categories
Expedited Categories
Recruitment Strategy
Informed Consent
Participant Compensation Details
Research Procedures

ISSO and PO Reviewer Designations

When assigning a package for ISSO (information system security officer) or PO (privacy officer) review in the research administration or R&DC (Research & Development Committee) workspaces be sure to select the appropriate reviewer designation from the drop-down list. The ISSO and PO reviewer designations are very helpful when tracking reviewer activity.

Research Administration Workspace

Did you miss this month’s VAIRRS webinar, “How to Properly Utilize the Research Admin Workspace in IRBNet”? If so, you are encouraged to review the webinar recording and available training resources. A summary of the activities discussed at the webinar are highlighted in the table to the left.

RCO Module

The "Audit Document Published" notification has been updated to include the name of the board with oversight of the audited project. The notification now includes the following data:

Auditor Name
Project Information
Board Name
Audit and Audit Document Information

VAIRRS Monthly Webinar

Reminder: All committee administrators should be included in the VAIRRS administrators distribution group. Email VAIRRS@va.gov to let us know if anyone at your site should be added to the distribution group.

UPCOMING VAIRRS NEWSLETTER

May VAIRRS Ambassador
May VAIRRS Webinar
VAIRRS Mentors

Thank you,

VAIRRS Program Team

VAIRRS WEBSITE: https://www.research.va.gov/programs/orppe/vairrs/default.cfm

VAIRRS SharePoint: https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VHAORPPE/VAIRRS

ORD Policy and Guidance FAQs: https://www.research.va.gov/resources/policies/faq-search.cfm


	You have received this message because you are subscribed to Veterans Health. Access your Subscriber Preferences to make changes to your subscription or Unsubscribe. Get this as a forward? Sign Up to receive updates from Veterans Health. Having questions or problems? Please visit Subscriber Help for assistance.