NEWS

The IRB is Developing New Policies to Facilitate Research in a Culture of Conscience
Your Comments Are Invited—Drafts Are Posted on e-Workplace

In preparation for application by Baystate Medical Center for AAHRPP (Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs) accreditation, an IRB subcommittee is reviewing and revising all current IRB policies and procedures. The intent is to develop policies that facilitate research at Baystate in a culture of conscience. This process includes thorough review of federal regulations, OHRP guidelines, FDA requirements, JCAHO standards, AAHRPP criteria, template policies, and existing policies, especially of institutions that currently hold AAHRPP accreditation.

The process also includes input from the Academic Affairs Principal Investigator Advisory Group, all investigators and research staff, as well as other interested persons at Baystate.

The first section of draft policies on investigator responsibilities has been posted on eWorkplace (Departments -> Academic Affairs -> Research ->IRB) for your comment. As more sections of draft policies are posted, notices will be emailed to all active investigators and research coordinators, and included the Academics@Baystate newsletter.

Please become involved in helping shape these policies. Comments and suggestions about this process and about specific polices should be forwarded to Karen Christianson, the IRB Integrity/Education Coordinator.  Karen can be contacted at ext. 4-5714 or by email (karen.christianson@bhs.org).

Health Sciences Library to Purchase New Evidence-Based Point-of-Care Databases
Volunteers Needed to Evaluate Options

The Health Sciences Library will be comparing their databases to new products, and must evaluate the effectiveness of each database in answering clinical questions. The following evidence-based point-of-care databases will be reviewed:

• Clinical Resources at OVID

• DynaMed

• FIRSTConsult

• eMedicine

• UpToDate

• DiseaseDex

To Volunteer

To do the evaluation, you will need a clear clinical question that would be most appropriately answered using the medical literature.

1. Email the library at library@bhs.org stating your interest and availability.

2. You will receive a confirmation from the library.

3. Arrive at the appointed time with your clinical question.

Evaluation Sessions

If you would like to participate but aren't able to attend one of these sessions, email the library with your availability.