POLICY
The CPHS Executive Committee (hereafter referred to as Executive Committee) will oversee the operations of the IRB panels of the CPHS (hereafter referred to as IRB) and set policies and guidelines for research ethics in UTHealth Houston.
Membership requirements - The Executive Committee will consist of at least five (5) members who collectively have the qualifications and experience to carry out the Committee’s stated objectives and terms of reference. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Executive Chairperson of CPHS (who is also the VP, HRPP), the IRB Chairs and IRB Vice Chairs and the IRB Director. Additional members may be recruited by the Executive Chairperson.
Charge of the Executive Committee
- To establish, administer and oversee the UTHealth Houston Human Research Protection Program.
- Develop, implement and maintain a set of written policies and procedures relevant to human research protections.
- Provide oversight to IRB panels.
- Evaluate whether the number of IRB panels is appropriate to the volume and types of human research reviewed so that reviews are accomplished in a thorough and timely manner and make recommendations to SVP Faculty and Academic Affairs.
- Evaluate the workload of each IRB panel and make adjustments as needed.
- Ensure that members of the IRB panels are given adequate training opportunities to perform their roles.
- Manage allegations of investigator and research staff noncompliance with approved protocol and UTHealth Houston policies and procedures.
- Manage allegations of noncompliance by IRB members.
- Manage allegations of undue influence to IRB members and staff.
PROCEDURE
Executive Committee Meetings - The Executive Committee will meet at a convened meeting once a month. When there are no new items for discussion, the Executive Committee chair person may cancel the meeting. If necessary, the Executive Committee will meet at more frequent intervals.
Regular Updates - At each Executive Committee meeting, the Committee will be provided information regarding any compliance issues or other concerns identified since the previous meeting.
HRPP Policies and Procedures Updates - The IRB Director will submit new policies and procedures and any substantive changes to existing policies and procedures to the Executive Committee members for comments and suggestions. When necessary, the Executive Committee will seek advice from legal counsel.
Undue Influence – IRB Members and staff must report any attempt to unduly influence the IRB panel’s decision making process to the VP HRPP. The VP HRRP will review the information and may seek additional information as necessary and determine appropriate course of action. The VP HRPP will include this issue for discussion at the subsequent Executive Committee meeting.
UTHealth Houston officials may not approve human subjects research that has not been approved by the IRB, however institutional officials may disapprove research that has been approved by the IRB.
Outreach Activities –The Executive Committee will review ongoing outreach activities to evaluate if they are adequate. The Executive Committee will also recommend if the additional activities must be implemented for outreach to investigators, research staff and community.
REFERENCES
- None
If you find errors in this document, contact [email protected]
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Document Number: |
101-B01 |
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Document Name: |
CPHS Executive Committee |
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Reviewed by: |
Associate Vice President, Research Compliance |
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Effective: |
1 Aug 2008 |
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Revision History: |
1 Aug 2011, 1 Jun 2016, 21 Jan 2019, 1 Jun 2021, 1 Jun 2026 |
Please contact the IRB office for answers to questions, express concerns, and convey suggestions regarding human subjects protections.
IRB Office House: Thursdays, 1–4pm via Teams Room
Email: [email protected]
IRB Helpline: 713-500-7943 (please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible)
iRIS Helpline: 713-500-7960
IRB Review Feedback: IRB Survey
Houston, Texas 77030
Phone: 713-500-7943
Email: [email protected]
Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects
IRIS Support: 713-500-7960
