Category Archives: Relying HRPP

Updated Feature: Email notification includes helpful guidance when new sites added

When a site that has not joined IREx is listed on a study, the “Participating Sites Added to Study” email now includes helpful text to guide how the site HRPP/IRB can initiate access for their site through the Join IREx page. This is an existing email sent to Reviewing IRBs and SMs if either party adds new sites to a study, but now updated for clearer guidance.

Updated Feature: Agreement Checker includes other Broad Reliance Agreements.

The Agreement Checker, which can be accessed from the IREx homepage after logging in, has been updated to reflect whether relying sites have executed any non-SMART reliance agreements with the selected single IRB. The Agreement Checker also reflects whether relying sites have executed a broad indemnification agreement with the selected single IRB. Study-specific agreements are not reflected in the Agreement Checker since execution of those agreements cannot count towards other studies.

New Feature: Capture any reliance agreements in IREx.

SIRBs can now use IREx to track broad or study-specific reliance agreements, such as an IRB Authorization Agreement (IAA) or MOU, for sites who are unable to join SMART IRB. These reliance agreements can be designated as “broad” – to be used across multiple studies – or “study specific” – for use on a single study only. An sIRB can offer both SMART IRB plus another reliance agreement on the same study; when this happens, Relying Institutions that are part of SMART IRB will automatically default to using SMART IRB so no additional tracking is needed.

Updated Feature: SIRBs can now track study-specific indemnification.

SIRBs have been able to track the use of broad indemnification agreements, such as Letters of Indemnification (LOIs), since February 2019. Now, SIRBs can utilize IREx to track study-specific indemnification agreements. When indemnification is required on a study, an “Indemnification” column will appear on the Status Summary tab, and Relying Institutions will be unable to rely until the SIRB indicates the indemnification agreement has been executed.

Updated Feature: Relying HRPP Getting Started Checklist reflects agreements offered by SIRB.

When an SIRB offers an IAA or MOU on a study, it will be reflected on the Relying HRPP’s Getting Started checklist. The agreement must be negotiated and executed outside of IREx. The agreement will appear complete in the Getting Started Checklist after the SIRB enters a date executed for the Relying Institution.

New Feature: Relying Site HRPPs receive email when their site can indicate reliance.

If a Relying HRPP registers for a study but has incomplete reliance or indemnification agreements, the Relying HRPP can confirm their local study team and complete local considerations. However, they cannot indicate reliance until all reliance and/or indemnification agreements are executed. Now, IREx will send an email notification to the Relying HRPP when the sIRB indicates all the required agreements have been executed. This email lets the Relying HRPP know they can indicate reliance.