INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION

 

ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING
INFORMED CONSENT PROCESS
AMENDMENTS
PROTOCOL VIOLATIONS/DEVIATIONS
CONTINUING REVIEW
RECORD KEEPING/RECORD RETENTION
DRUG/DEVICE ACCOUNTABILITY
REGULATORY DOCUMENTATION
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
SUBJECT SELECTION
FORM FDA 1572/1571
SUBJECT RECRUITMENT/REMUNERATION
HIPAA
SOURCE DOCUMENTATION /CASE REPORT FORMS/DATA COLLECTION

 

 

 

ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING

The Partners Human Research Committee has detailed and stringent Adverse Event (AE) Reporting Guidelines that are applicable to ALL investigators conducting human subject research at Partners institutions.  Please note that for investigators whose study sponsors have different AE reporting requirements, they need to meet both the Partners' and the sponsors' reporting requirements.

The Partners AE Reporting Guidelines can be found at: http://healthcare.partners.org/phsirb/adverse_events.htm

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AMENDMENTS

The study must be conducted in accordance with the approved study protocol.  Any amendments to the approved study protocol, including change of study staff, consent form, and/or recruitment materials require IRB approval.  Appropriate forms can be found at: http://healthcare.partners.org/phsirb/othfrms.htm.

If new investigators/staff are to be added to the study, they should not conduct any study-related activities, such as obtaining informed consent or screening potential subjects, until IRB approval is confirmed or written notification of IRB approval is received.

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CONTINUING REVIEW

Ensure that all required documents are gathered before submitting the continuing review (CR) application to the IRB.  The HRC office will not schedule an IRB review if the submission is incomplete. For further guidance on the requirements for continuing review, please click the following link:

http://healthcare.partners.org/phsirb/Guidance/Policies_Procedures/Ensuring_Continuing_Review.06.07.pdf

In addition, the following QI Logs can be submitted with the continuing review application:

The Subject Enrollment Log: Captures enrollment numbers, race and ethnicity data and subject enrollment status (e.g active, withdrew, and lost to follow-up).
Note: All subjects who sign a consent form are considered enrolled. If a subject is found to be ineligible, withdraws consent, or is lost to follow-up, they are still counted as enrolled and should be included when reporting enrollment figures to the IRB.

The Protocol Violation Tracking Log: Records any violations identified during the course of the study.

Adverse Event Tracking Log: Documents all adverse events that may be reported to the IRB, Sponsor, and/or other regulatory groups. The log captures the seriousness, expectedness, and relationship of these events to the study.

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DRUG/DEVICE ACCOUNTABILITY

The investigator is responsible for ensuring that study drug and/or study device is used in accordance with applicable regulations and the approved protocol.

Maintain an accurate record of shipment and dispensing, including date and amount of study drug or device.  A useful template for recording this information can be found at: http://www.partners.org/phsqi/QIWeb/logs/DrugLog.dot 

Study drug/device must be kept in an appropriate secure area (i.e. locked cabinet), and stored according to conditions specified in the protocol, where only approved study staff have access.

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FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

FDA financial disclosure regulations, outlined in 21 CFR 54 apply to sponsors submitting IND and IDE study data for pre-market approval.

Provide the required information to the sponsor prior to study start; update the information if there are any changes during the course of the investigation, and for one year after the completion of the trial. Send the original documentation to the sponsor and place a copy in the regulatory binder.

If sponsors do not request this information from you, contact the sponsor and request a written explanation as to why the sponsor has not requested this information or why they are exempt from these reporting requirements. File this documentation in your regulatory binder. 

It is not uncommon for this information to be collected from all individuals listed as study staff.  However, at a minimum for IND studies, all investigators listed on the Form FDA 1572 should provide this information to the sponsor.

Note: Investigators are also subject to the disclosure and other requirements of the Faculty of Medicine Harvard University Policy on Conflicts of Interest and Commitment (“Harvard Medical School Conflicts of Interest Policy”), and the Partners Conflicts of Interest Policy and Partners IRB Financial Disclosure.

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FORM FDA 1572/1571

Form FDA 1572: is a form that is completed by each investigator prior to participating in an investigational new drug study.  This form should be updated during the course of an investigation if any information on the form changes.  

Form FDA 1571: It is the responsibility of a sponsor to complete the form FDA 1571.  However, if the investigator is the IND holder, she/he would have to assume the sponsor's responsibility, and therefore complete the form.

Instructions for completing the 1571 and 1572 can be found at http://www.fda.gov/cder/forms/1571-1572-help.html. The actual forms can be found at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/morechoices/fdaforms/cder.html.

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HIPAA

Please refer to the Partners Human Research Committee HIPAA website at: http://healthcare.partners.org/phsirb/hrchipaa.htm; for helpful resources, including contact information for privacy officers listed by institution.  The QI Program is available for additional assistance and on-site consultation.

 

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INFORMED CONSENT PROCESS

The PI is responsible for the adequacy of the informed consent process regardless of who actually obtains and documents subjects' informed consent. If the responsibility of obtaining informed consent has been delegated to IRB approved study staff, ensure that adequate training and supervision is provided.

All subjects and study representatives must SIGN and DATE the consent form for him/herself. If a subject or PI/study representative fails to date, DO NOT enter date.  Write a signed and dated note to file explaining the consent process and when applicable, report this violation to the IRB. 

Ensure that subject identification is on all pages of the consent form. 

Always give a copy of the signed and dated consent form to the subject and document this practice in each subject's study file or on an enrollment log.

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PROTOCOL VIOLATIONS/DEVIATIONS

Report all protocol violations/deviations to the IRB. For example:

Over-enrollment (more subjects signed the consent form than the IRB approved enrollment goal). 

Unauthorized study representative obtained consent. 

All sponsor approved protocol deviations must also be reported to the IRB.

The appropriate form for reporting violations/deviations can be found at: http://healthcare.partners.org/phsirb/othfrms.htm.

 

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RECORD KEEPING/RECORD RETENTION

Good records are essential for verifying the quality of study data produced, and demonstrating investigator compliance with good clinical practice guidelines and applicable regulatory requirements.

To ensure that the study file provides an accurate history/timeline of activity from study start to completion, request a copy of any missing IRB correspondence from the protocol administrator. 

All copies of IRB correspondence (e.g. initial review, continuing review, amendment applications, AE reporting, and violation/deviation reports) on file should be copies of the signed and dated submission, and filed in reverse chronological order. 

Notification letters received from the HRC office should have an original signature. 

Double-check all HRC correspondence for accuracy. Contact protocol administrator if an error is found. 

File documents in each subject's file in reverse chronological order. Include any contact with the subject (e.g. correspondence, phone calls, appointment info). 

Maintain correspondences to and from sponsor. 

Where necessary, write a signed and dated note-to-file to clarify errors in record keeping or missing documentation. 

After the study is completed, retain records as required by the institution and sponsor.

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REGULATORY DOCUMENTATION

Depending on the nature of your study, the sponsor may request the following documentation.  Although your study may not be subject to these federal regulations, to improve the overall quality of your study and to promote the highest standard for human subject research, the following documentation should be maintained.

Protocol (all versions). 

Signed Form FDA 1571/1572. 

CVs: should be signed, dated, and updated every 2 years.  If filed collectively, write a signed and dated note-to-file indicating where CVs are located. 

Study logs: ensure that all logs contain essential information. 

Staff Signature: document the signature and initials of all persons collecting and recording study data. 

Delegation of Responsibility: document which study related procedures each study staff member has been delegated by the PI.  The PI should sign and date this documentation, and update it as new staff or study procedures are added. 

Enrollment/screening: capture all subjects who sign a consent form. 

Monitoring: document any form of study monitoring that serves to document the progress of the study, the authenticity and completeness of study data, and ensures that the rights of subjects are being protected.  For example, maintain a copy of meeting minutes, recording at a minimum meeting dates and attendees. 

Drug/device dispensing/accountability

FDA Financial Disclosure Form

Lab Documentation: to document the competency of the lab facility being utilized for a study and to support the reliability of results; maintain copies of normal lab values/ranges, lab certifications (e.g. CLIA, CAP), and a copy of the lab Director's CV.  For missing documentation, write a signed and dated note-to-file, or contact the sponsor or laboratory and request a copy.  Review binders regularly for expiration dates, and request updated copies of lab documentation when necessary. 

Investigator brochure or device manual: where applicable, maintain a copy of the Investigator's brochure, package insert, or device manual.  It is the responsibility of the investigator to read and understand the Investigator Brochure prior to study start.

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SUBJECT SELECTION

All subjects enrolled in a study must have adequate documentation indicating that they have been included or excluded appropriately.

Ensure that source documentation supporting eligibility is available in the subject's study file and/or medical record. 

Ensure the checklist or documentation of eligibility is signed and dated by the person obtaining the information.

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SUBJECT RECRUITMENT/REMUNERATION

The IRB must review and approve all methods used to recruit subjects, including for example, advertisements in various media, and recruitment letters to potential subjects. Once recruited and participating in a study, subjects may be compensated for their time and effort.

Refer to Partners Guidelines for advertising/recruiting and remuneration of research subjects found at: http://healthcare.partners.org/phsirb/guidance.htm.

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SOURCE DOCUMENTATION /CASE REPORT FORMS/DATA COLLECTION

Depending on the nature of the study, there may be a case report form (CRF) provided by the sponsor to capture all protocol required data for each subject. If there is no CRF for the study, ensure that all data relating to the study are captured, using for example, data collection sheets/worksheets.

All information entered on a CRF or data collection sheet must be supported by source documents. If data is recorded directly into a CRF there should be at a minimum, an entry in the subject's medical record or subject file that records the date information was obtained; how (e.g. physical exam) and by whom.

Source is wherever data is first recorded (original records or certified copies). Examples of source documents include:

Hospital records/medical record

Lab reports

Subject diaries

Evaluation checklists

Pharmacy dispensing records

X-rays

All CRF/source documents should be completed in ink. Do not use pencil.

Ensure that all CRF/source documents are initialed/signed and dated by the person making an entry, or reviewing and/or validating information the document contains.

Initial and date any cross-out/corrections made in the CRF/source documents. Do not use correction fluid. The correction being made should not obscure the original entry.

A signed and dated note-to-file can be used to explain:

How information was obtained.

Who obtained information.

Any discrepancies.

Missing or incomplete data.

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Human Research Quality Improvement Program 2008