Study-wide and site-specific amendment email notifications have been updated to include the protocol version number (as entered by the Reviewing IRB), the automatically assigned “Revision #” when a study-wide amendment does not change the protocol, and the change summary for the amendment. That now means sIRBs and Study Managers are required to provide a description of changes when uploading site-specific amendments, as is already required for study-wide amendments. IREx recommends starting the change summary with the amendment number to help the site identify the change. This information is then embedded in the notification email to help sites and sIRBs communicate more clearly about amendments.
Category Archives: Reviewing IRB
Updated Feature: Enhanced Study-wide and Site Amendment Email Notifications
To provide more information about amendment approvals uploaded to IREx, the study-wide and site-specific amendment approval notifications will now include the study protocol version number and the change summary, both of which are entered by the Reviewing IRB. TIPS:
- Minimize confusion for the study teams by ensuring the “protocol version” matches the version that is listed on the protocol.
- Increase consistency by including the amendment # from your IRB system at the beginning of the change summary.
Additionally, when uploading site-specific amendments, sIRB Liaisons or Study Managers will now be required to provide a description of the changes. TIP: We recommend starting the change summary with the amendment # to help the site identify the change.
Updated Feature: Status Summary Export Now Includes Dates of sIRB Submission, Review and Approval, if available
Two new fields were added to the Status Summary Export – “Date Submitted” to the sIRB and “Date Reviewed” by the sIRB. The Export already includes “Date Approved” by the sIRB. These additional fields can be used by Study Managers as a flag/reminder that a site has been submitted for review to the sIRB. The sIRB or SM can enter dates of sIRB submission and review in the “site approvals” dialogue.
New Feature: Capture Site-specific Comments
Reviewing IRB Liaisons and Study Managers can now include site-specific comments on the Status Summary tab in IREx. Comments are only visible to the Reviewing IRB Liaisons and Study Managers on a study. No notifications are generated by these comments. Any information that helps keep track of site’s progress can be logged, such as:
- the last time you contacted a site
- when you sent reliance instructions
- unique workflow challenges or alternatives for a site
- status updates from a PI or a site’s HRPP
- reason a site’s local review might be delayed
New Feature: Indicate “No Further Review Required” for Qualifying Studies
In line with the revised Common Rule, IREx now allows sIRBs to indicate “No Further Review Required” and NOT enter an expiration date for studies that no longer require continuing review (more here). For studies where this feature is used, sites will no longer have an expiration date listed in IREx and the IREx approval notifications will direct site investigators to refer to the approval letter from the sIRB and their local HRPP for ongoing reporting requirements.
New Feature: Download a Report of Your Status Summary Tab
IREx Study Managers and Reviewing IRB Liaisons can download a CSV export of the Status Summary Tab for each study. On the Status Summary Tab, click Export Data > Export Status Summary Tab to download the data displayed on the Status Summary Tab.
New Feature: Introducing Indemnification Tracking in IREx
IREx now supports Letter of Indemnification (LOI) Tracking. The LOI is a unique agreement between the Reviewing IRB and participating institutions concerning indemnification and related terms, if required, when using the SMART IRB Agreement. Both Reviewing IRBs and Participating Sites can use IREx to easily track the status of their LOI agreements. Reviewing IRBs can track which institutions have signed their LOI and, if they choose to, store the executed agreements in IREx. Participating Sites can view which LOIs they have signed for other institutions.
System Enhancements – February 18, 2019
Enhanced: We have added help text in the IREx Project Settings window for Reviewing IRB liaisons to explain why Reviewing IRB liaisons cannot be listed as IREx Study Managers. As a reminder, liaisons already have IREx Study Manager privileges for all studies at their institution and do not need to be designated for each study.
New Feature: See Who Has Access to Your Study in IREx
Reviewing IRB Liaisons and IREx Study Managers can now view or download a list of Participating Site Personnel that have access to their studies in IREx. On the study page, click “Participating Personnel” above the study title to view the list.
New Feature: Manually Notify HRRPs and Investigators About Your Study in IREx
IREx now allows Reviewing IRB Liaisons and IREx Study Managers to manually notify sites about their study in IREx instead of automatically emailing sites as soon as they are added to a study. Now sites can be notified at different times if they are being onboarded at different times.
When an IREx Study Managers lists a site on a study, they will enter a PI name and email. The site will appear on the Status Summary Tab. Click the “Notify HRPP” button to notify the site HRPP (and the PI identified) of the study in IREx. This does not give the PI access to IREx. The purpose of this email is to connect the investigator to their local HRPP.