Investigator Responsibilities during COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Members of the VCU Research Community, As we respond to the rising number of local COVID-19 cases, the HRPP is reissuing the following guidance: 1. Continue to work with your Department Chairs, Deans, Building Managers, Human Resource Representatives, and the facility where your research takes place regarding the study’s approvals and permissions for building […]
Reminder about Masking Requirements for Research Participants
The HRPP reminds all investigators and study teams that masking indoors has been reinstated throughout the University and remains in effect for health system facilities. Study teams remain responsible for following all applicable federal, state, local, and institutional public health requirements, regardless of the vaccination status of the participants or study team members. Here are a few examples of times […]
IRB Reminders Regarding Updated Public Health Guidelines
The VCU HRPP appreciates the work and dedication of the research community throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. As VCU has recently announced an update to the University’s public health guidelines, the VCU HRPP would like to take this opportunity to remind investigators of continuing responsibilities related to human subjects research projects during this […]
Tiering System for Human Research Discontinued
The VCU Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) would like to notify the VCU research community that the tiering system initially implemented at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that required researchers to categorize their studies as one of 4 different tiers of research has been discontinued. Provided that PIs can determine that resources are available […]
Investigator Responsibilities Regarding COVID during the VCU Winter Closure
Dear Members of the VCU Research Community, As we approach the VCU Winter Closure, the HRPP and IRB would like to thank the research community for their collaboration with us this year. We faced some new challenges, and we are proud that we worked together to facilitate research that benefits our patients, students, and community. […]
IRB Mythbusters – Conducting Research During COVID-19
The VCU Human Research Protection Program presents IRB Mythbusters — a periodic newsletter clarifying common misconceptions about conducting human research and the IRB! In this issue, “myths” surrounding conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic are addressed. Access previous editions of IRB Mythbusters by visiting the “mythbusters” tag on our blog. MYTH #1: All electronic consent […]
VCUHS Guidance Available for Return to Research
The VCU HRPP would like to inform the VCU research community about guidance from VCUHS regarding infection prevention, PPE and cleaning/disinfecting protocols for VCUHS return to research. The guidance can be accessed on the One VCU Clinical Research Blog. Investigators are reminded that they are not required to submit amendments to their IRB submissions in […]
Update: Revised R2R Guidance Available
The VCU Human Research Protection Program would like to inform the VCU research community of an update to the HRPP’s Phased Return to Research (R2R) guidance. Minor clarifications were made to both the “Investigator Responsibilities to the IRB During the R2R” document and the “Supplemental Flowchart for Investigator Responsibilities During the R2R” document, to clarify […]
ACTION REQUIRED: Human Research Tiering Documentation
EDIT 4/28/2021: As of April 27, 2021, the Tiering system referenced in this post has been discontinued. Investigators are no longer required to make a Tiering determination for their studies. In order to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 in human research, VCU OVPRI has implemented a Tiering system to stratify research projects based on the […]
Updated Resource Page for COVID-19 and Human Research
EDIT 4/28/2021: As of April 27, 2021, the Tiering system referenced in this post has been discontinued. Investigators are no longer required to make a Tiering determination for their studies. The VCU Human Research Protection Program would like to inform the VCU research community about an updated resource on how COVID-19 is impacting human research […]