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VAIRRS Program Update | October 2024 |
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Data integrity continued to improve in September. The "Data Integrity" page on the Field Staff Reporting (FSR) Dashboard provides each VAIRRS site with the data and tools to ensure the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and reliability of their program’s data. Last month, Research and Development Committee (RDC) status flags decreased by 77% and Institutional Review Board (IRB) risk level issues decreased by 53%.
Note: RDC flags occur when a project's status is inconsistent with boards outside of the RDC. IRB issues occur when a discrepancy exists between IRB status and risk level.
Our goal is to reduce all flags and issues within the system to ensure VA researchers have access to the most accurate data. On average, research facilities have one RDC status flag and three IRB risk level issues. Help us improve data integrity. Please continue to review any overall project status flags on an ongoing basis and send them to reviewers or committees to make the necessary updates. Visit the FSR Dashboard and use the left-hand navigation section to see your site's "Data Integrity" page.
Need assistance with resolving data integrity issues? See our "Learning Corner" below to learn more about the new Data Integrity office hours VAIRRS will begin hosting next month.
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DID YOU KNOW?
IRBNet Training Resources
You can access IRBNet training resources through the "Forms and Templates" tab on IRBNet. To access the training resources:
- Log into IRBNet.
- Navigate to the "Forms and Templates" tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
- Click the "Forms and Templates" tab.
- Once you are on the "Forms and Templates" page, click the "Select Library" dropdown and scroll to the very bottom. You will find IRBNet training resources based on your role.
This feature allows members of the research community, who are not VA employees, to access guides and instructions that will guide users through submitting information in IRBNet. VAIRRS is also working to provide additional resources to all researchers through a public VAIRRS University website. This website will house trainings and in-depth navigational guides. More information will be shared in future VAIRRS newsletters.
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 The VAEDA–Artificial Intelligence (VAEDA–AI) tool is now available. This new tool provides a determination regarding whether your activity uses AI. VAEDA-AI streamlines a required administrative process that adheres to executive order (EO) 14110 – Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence and EO 13960 – Use of Trustworthy AI in the Federal Government.
Note: VAEDA–AI is only accessible on the VA network.
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VAIRRS University
In October, VAIRRS University added the Principal Investigator (PI) Change Instructions User Guide. This guide outlines how to change a PI within IRBNet once a project is active. It also includes step-by-step instructions on how to update the PI among research institutions.
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To learn more about VAIRRS University, watch the expert-led VAIRRS University Walk-Through Webinar.
For questions about VAIRRS University, contact the VAIRRS Support Team.
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COI Module
For disclosures submitted to the Office of General Council (OGC) Ethics workspace, the "Board Action" in the local COI workspace should be updated to "Forwarded" with the appropriate "Effective Date." The local COI administrator may update the "Next Disclosure Due Date" to send reminder notifications to the disclosure owner.
The ORD Central COI Administrator is responsible for updating the disclosure status once OGC Ethics has completed their review. If there is no conflict, the signed 450 Alt-VA will be uploaded as a "Board Document" in the OGC Ethics workspace and made available to the disclosure owner.
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VAIRRS End User Support Program
The VAIRRS End User Support Team provides administrative assistance to VAMCs to facilitate the adoption of VAIRRS and increase compliance with related protocols and directives. The support team works closely with VAMCs, for an average duration of six to nine months, assisting in pre- or post-submission validation of VA Project Cover Sheets, translation of board actions from a site's local database to IRBNet, consolidation of duplicate projects, and rectification of data discrepancies. If your VAMC is interested in assistance, please send an end user support request to begin the onboarding process.
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LEARNING CORNER
VAIRRS is hosting office hours in November!
New VAIRRS Office Hours: Data Integrity Issues
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Starting next month, VAIRRS is offering office hours to users seeking guidance on correcting issues on the "Data Integrity" page within the Field Staff Reporting Dashboard.
The new office hours offer expert advice, training, demonstrations, and/or direction to the VA research community regarding data integrity in VAIRRS.
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Wednesday, November 20, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)
Angela Foster, ePROS Program Manager
Alex Devine, VAIRRS Support Team
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Note: VAIRRS office hours will be replacing the VAIRRS Monthly Webinar Series until further notice. Office hours will be hosted via Microsoft Teams. Please hold the date/time on your calendars with the link provided below if you would like to join the first session of VAIRRS office hours.
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Wizard Updates
Reminder: The Enterprise Research Data Security Plan (ERDSP) Wizard is live. This tool streamlines the process for obtaining centralized information security reviews from the Office of Research Reviews. To learn more about the new wizard, please view the ERDSP Wizard Training Webinar from the VAIRRS Monthly Webinar Series archive (linked below). Questions related to the ERDSP and Information System Security Officer (ISSO) review should be directed to OISISPSSDCDORR@va.gov.
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VAIRRS Office Hours
We appreciate your continued commitment to excellence in VA research. The VAIRRS newsletter will return next month with the latest updates and information, such as additional VAIRRS office hours. We look forward to sharing more with you soon.
Thank you,
VAIRRS Support Team
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