Beginning in January, the review of human subjects protocols that typically require review by the convened UGA IRB (Full Board) will be delegated to Western IRB (WIRB), a commercial IRB. \u00a0This review arrangement is temporary and will last\u00a0for the next\u00a0four to six months.<\/p>\n
Very few studies will be affected by this change since only about 3 percent of IRB protocols require Full Board review.<\/p>\n
The OVPR has engaged WIRB review\u00a0services\u00a0to allow the IRB to advance major initiatives that will strengthen the University\u2019s human subjects protections program.\u00a0 These initiatives include enhancing the e-Research Portal for IRB, training two new employees, developing policies and procedures, and taking definitive steps to achieve accreditation of the human subjects protection program.\u00a0 Since Full Board reviews are lengthy, rigorous and time-consuming, this review arrangement will enable the IRB to focus on these initiatives and, more importantly, ensure the review of the majority of the submissions is done expeditiously.<\/p>\n