2.4 IRB Review of Changes in Previously Approved Research

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to describe the Organization’s requirements for IRB review of changes in previously approved research, including single subject protocol deviations.


2.0 Policy


3.0 Definitions


4.0 Procedures for Change Request in Protocol (other than Single Subject Protocol Deviation)


5.0 Procedure for Single Subject Protocol Deviation*


6.0 Changes in a research activity requiring immediate implementation


7.0 Provision of new information to subjects which requires immediate implementation


Appendix to HRPP Policy 2.4 (Changes in Previously Approved Research)

Examples of Major and Minor Changes in Protocol or Single Subject Protocol Deviations (per Sections 3.1 and 3.2)

Examples of Major Changes:

 Changes in inclusion or exclusion criteria that broaden eligibility (i.e., broadening the range of the inclusion criteria or narrowing the range of the exclusion criteria) when risks to new subjects will be different than to previously eligible subjects

 Addition of a vulnerable population (e.g., children, cognitively impaired, prisoners, socially or educationally disadvantaged, students)

 Increase in target accrual of subjects in studies where UNMC. CHMC and/or UNO are the only sites

 Increase in study wide accrual of subjects in a multi-institution study

 Increase in subject payment amount that exceeds criteria in HRPP Policy

 Change in study design, where such change might affect risk, potential benefit to subject or scientific value or validity

 Alterations in the dosage or route of administration of an administered drug

 Addition of research activities that carry greater than minimal risk

 Change in research activities where the change might negatively impact the potential benefit of the research (e.g., change from one questionnaire to another which is not substantively similar, or to a non-validated questionnaire; change from CT-based staging to clinically based staging of a tumor)

 Modification of research questionnaires or data collection instruments/processes to collect sensitive information (e.g., depression, sexuality, illegal activities)

 Addition of an element that may affect subject confidentiality (e.g., specimen banking or genetic testing; addition of focus groups or identifiable surveys)

 Extending substantially the duration of exposure to the test material or intervention

 Deletion of laboratory tests, monitoring procedures, or study visits directed at the collection of information for safety evaluations

 Addition of serious adverse events, serious UADEs or other significant risks to the Informed Consent process or form

 Addition of a new (additional) consent form

 Addition of a qualified investigator with a disclosable conflict of interest

 Changes, which, in the opinion of the IRB chairperson or his/her designee, do not meet the criteria or intent of a minor modification

Note: Multiple minor changes in the protocol, instruments, and/or consent may, together, be considered a major change subject to convened IRB review

Examples of Minor Changes:

 Changes in inclusion or exclusion criteria that narrow eligibility (i.e., narrowing the range of the inclusion criteria or broadening the range of the exclusion criteria).

Note: such changes should not appreciably reduce the likelihood that the research can be completed in a timely manner

 Changes in inclusion or exclusion criteria that broaden eligibility (i.e., broadening the range of the inclusion criteria or narrowing the range of the exclusion criteria) when the investigator provides evidence that risks to the new subjects will not be different than to previously eligible subjects

 Increase in local enrollment of subjects in a multi-institution study without a change in the overall study wide enrollment target

 Addition of research activities that constitute no more than minimal risk.

Note: addition of clinically indicated procedures where data will be used for research purposes (i.e., where the incremental risk is no more than minimal) are considered a minor change

 Addition of research activities that would be eligible for expedited IRB review (per §_.110(b)(ii)) under categories 1-7 (unless specifically defined as “major” above)

 Alterations in the dosage form (e.g., tablet to capsule or oral liquid) of an administered drug, provided the dose and route of administration are unchanged

 Decrease in the number or volume of biological samples collection, provided that such a change does not affect the collection of information related to safety evaluations;

 Decrease in the length of hospitalization or number of study visits, provided such a decrease does not affect the collection of information related to safety evaluations

 Alternations subject payment schedule, provided such payments remain fairly pro-rated

 Increase in subject payment amount provided such amounts are within criteria in HRPP Policy

 Changes to improve the clarity of statements or to correct typographical errors in the protocol, CF or any questionnaire, provided that such a change does not alter the content or intent of the statement

 Changes in recruitment materials and advertising, provided such items continue to satisfy criteria in HRPP Policy

 Revision of subject identification and recruitment strategy to include use of the Nebraska Medicine Conditions of Treatment Opt-In database.

 Addition or deletion of qualified investigators or personnel

 Addition of study sites (that have a valid FWA and Reliance agreement as appropriate); or that serve as performance sites where informed consent will not be obtained; or that serve as performance sites where informed consent will be obtained by a UNMC, CHMC or UNO investigator.


DOCUMENT HISTORY:

 Written: 1/5/2016 (Approved: 1/5/2016) - original author not recorded

 Revised: 1/24/2018 - revision not documented

 Revised: 10/4/2018 - revision not documented


Revision #9
Created 24 October 2019 21:26:39 by Autumn M Eberly
Updated 31 August 2023 20:13:42 by Robert A Lewis