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VAIRRS News | January 2025 |
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VAIRRS data integrity has continued to improve. The "Data Integrity" page on the Field Staff Reporting (FSR) Dashboard provides each VAIRRS site with the data and tools needed to ensure the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and reliability of their program’s data. To date, 51% of overall project status flags and 56% of institutional review board (IRB) risk level issues were resolved since the launch of the "Data Integrity" page in June 2024. The next round of Data Integrity emails will not include yellow, red, or risk flags that were identified in previous emails until the VAIRRS algorithm is updated based on user feedback.
Please Note: Overall project status includes the Research and Development Committee (RDC) blank yellow flags. Overall project status 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.
The goal of the VAIRRS team is to remove all flags and issues within the system to ensure VA researchers have access to the most accurate data. 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 (VA access only) and use the left-hand navigation section to see your site's "Data Integrity" page.
If this is your first time accessing the FSR Dashboard, please complete the FSR Dashboard Request Form to gain access.
We are continuously working to improve the "Data Integrity" page on the FSR Dashboard to enhance and facilitate the user experience. If you would like to speak with the dashboard team about a particular data insight relevant to a specific business need, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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DID YOU KNOW?
VAIRRS Best Practice Sandbox
You are invited to participate in the soft launch of the VAIRRS BPS, a collaborative platform designed to facilitate the sharing of local research-specific VAIRRS processes and best practices, as they relate to IRBNet, within the VA research community. During the soft launch, participants are asked to submit best practices.
 If you are interested and available to submit a best practice, please email the VAIRRS Support Team using the contact button below with the subject line “Interested in BPS Testing” by Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
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Is your research office tracking administrative items (i.e., meeting minutes, informational topics, etc.) as projects in IRBNet?
Meeting minutes should be captured using the IRBNet "Agenda and Minutes" feature. Minutes and other documents may be attached to an agenda by completing the following steps:
- Save a PDF copy of the meeting minutes.
- Click "Agendas and Minutes" on the left-hand navigation menu.
- Select the appropriate agenda date from the list.
- Click "Attach" to attach documents to the agenda.
- Upload the PDF copy of the minutes.
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The VAIRRS End User Support Team provides administrative assistance to VA research programs to aid in the adoption of VAIRRS, increase compliance with related protocols and directives, and alleviate workload for site administrators. The support team works closely with VA research programs (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 (yellow overall project status flags). If your VA research program is interested in assistance, please send an end user support request to begin the onboarding process.
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Request to Review: The quarterly Project Cover Sheet and Study Team Tracking wizard updates approved by the VAIRRS Change Control Board are now available for testing in the IRBNet sandbox environment. Please provide your feedback before Friday, January 31st.
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Study Team Tracking Updates:
- New field to capture ORCID
- New University Appointment page
- Additional Personnel page is no longer linked to EHR question
- Animal duties added to delegation of duties
- Clarified language for Duty Location response options
- Clarified FCOI guidance
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Project Cover Sheet Updates:
- New and revised Research Topic Areas
- Service ID removed
- New and revised Project Characteristics
- Revised multi-site language
- New Repositories page
If you have any questions or feedback regarding these changes, please contact the VAIRRS Support Team.
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VAIRRS University
Your feedback is crucial to further enhancing VAIRRS University. We encourage you to participate in the VAIRRS University survey and share your insights by clicking the "Share Your Experience" button below or visiting the VAIRRS University SharePoint page (VA access only). Your input will help VAIRRS identify gaps and improve usability, training content, and engagement within VAIRRS University.
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To learn more about VAIRRS University, watch the recording of the VAIRRS University walk-through webinar led by VAIRRS experts.
For questions about VAIRRS University, contact the VAIRRS Support Team.
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Please join the first VAIRRS Data Dictionary workgroup on Tuesday, January 28 at 2:30 pm ET. VAIRRS is establishing a standardized version of the VAIRRS Data Dictionary. We are requesting assistance from the field in this effort. A current version of the Data Dictionary is available through VAIRRS University. If you would like to participate in the workgroup, please send an email to the VAIRRS Support Team by Monday, January 27, 2025.
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The VAIRRS Monthly Webinar Series Returns Next Week!
VAIRRS Monthly Webinar Series: Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Training – Office of General Counsel (OGC) Ethics and Operationalizing for IRBNet
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The VAIRRS Monthly Webinar Series returns in 2025 with its January webinar, an FCOI training covering the documents required for IRBNet submission, OGC Ethics communication during the review and results process, and post-review IRBNet actions. The series offers the VA research community expert advice, along with training, demonstrations, and/or direction regarding various VAIRRS topics. |
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Tuesday, January 28, 2025
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM (EST)
Alex Miller, Attorney Advisor, OGC –
Ethics Specialty Team
Angela Foster, Program Manager, ePROS
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IRBNet support is available at govsupport@irbnet.org for technical issues and questions related to IRBNet. For regulatory questions or questions about processes subject to regulatory guidance, visit the ORD Policies and Guidance. If you still need help, email VAIRRS@va.gov. The VAIRRS User Group Listserv is also available if you would like to reach out to other users. Email the VAIRRS team to be added to the listserv.
Training resources and the VAIRRS Toolkit are available on the VAIRRS SharePoint portal.
The VAIRRS Change Control Board meets monthly to review requested changes and potential new forms and letter templates. If you wish to submit a change request, visit the VAIRRS CCB Request Form. Reminder: It is expected that all VAIRRS sites will use the standard library and supplement with local forms as necessary. The Project Cover Sheet, IRB Information Sheet, and Study Team Tracking wizards must be completed at the next study event as soon as possible.
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