Policies

Current policies related to the Duke Health IRB and Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) are located here. View the complete list of policies.The policies are below, and you can search for policies in the following categories:

Advertisement of Research

Recruitment

The policy describes what content can and cannot appear in study advertisements, flyers, and online postings.  The IRB must review the information contained in all advertisements and the mode of their communication.

Amendments

Review by the IRB

This document defines the different types of amendments and procedures for IRB review and approval.  The policy also discusses when participants must be notified or reconsented, the Investigator's responsibilities, and the IRB's responsibilities.

Appropriate Study Personnel to Conduct the Consent Process

Consent

This policy describes the requirements for a study team member to conduct the consent process in a research study over which the DUHS Institutional Review Board (IRB) serves as the IRB-of-Record. The requirements described in this policy also apply to any study conducted by a Duke investigator that has external IRB oversight.

Assessing the Data and Safety Monitoring Plan

Review by the IRB

This document describes how the DUHS IRB assesses the adequacy of a study's data and safety monitoring plan.  Also, this policy provides considerations for when a Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) may be required for a study.

Autopsy Authorizations

Conduct of Research

This policy discusses the process for seeking an autopsy authorization from a study participant when an autopsy is proposed as part of a research study.  While pre-death autopsy permission may be obtained during the informed consent process of a research study, the DUHS IRB, in accordance with North Carolina law, requires post-death confirmation of the permission from the research participant’s legally authorized representative.

Blood Drawing

Conduct of Research

As a general rule, investigators must not draw more blood from any research subject than is needed to answer the research question, and should design the research to minimize that volume. This policy covers blood drawing limits for protocols reviewed using the expedited procedure, and the convened board procedure.  Also, the policy discusses exceptions to blood drawing limits.

Case Reports

Review by the IRB

This policy describes when case reports must be submitted to the IRB for review.  If you plan to present or publish a single case report, or a case series of multiple case reports, please read this policy.

Certificates of Confidentiality

Conduct of Research

The Principal Investigator and/or IRB must determine if it is appropriate to obtain a Certificate of Confidentiality for a study.  The Certificate of Confidentiality is an additional protection for the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of their data in sensitive research.  The policy discusses parameters to consider when deciding whether to obtain a Certificate of Confidentiality.

Children Who Are Wards of the State

Vulnerable Populations

The policy describes additional requirements for the review of research involving minors who are Wards of the State.  A “Ward” or “Ward of the State” shall mean a minor (under 18 years of age) who is under the legal custody of a state or a subdivision of the State (e.g., a minor placed in foster care in accordance with applicable state law).

Children's Research

Vulnerable Populations

This policy describes additional responsibilities assigned to the IRB and to the investigator under DHHS regulations (45 CFR 46 Subpart D) and FDA regulations (21 CFR 50 Subpart D), as applicable.  These regulations protect children who are the subjects of research.