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1.32 Confidentiality of the Review Process

Last Reviewed: 11/26/2025

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to describe the Organization’s requirements and practices for assuring confidentiality of the process of review of human subjects research

2.0 Policy

It is the policy of the Organization that

  • 2.1. The deliberations of the IRB in a convened meeting or subcommittee meeting, or of an expedited reviewer, are confidential, and details of such discussions and deliberations may not be shared with the investigator or any other person outside the IRB or the ORA, without the express consent of the convened IRB or the IRB Executive Chair.
  • 2.2. Findings and decisions of the IRB, or of a subcommittee of the IRB, or of an expedited reviewer (as opposed to deliberations and discussions) will be shared with the investigator as per HRPP 2.2 (Full IRB Review) and HRPP 2.3 (Expedited Review) .
  • 2.3. Violation of this policy, and especially the deliberate communication of the details of the deliberation of the IRB, the subcommittee or the expedited reviewer, is cause for action against that IRB member, ORA staff member or other responsible party as described below.

3.0. General Comments

  • 3.1. IRB members will sign a Confidentiality Agreement at the time they are appointed to the board, and again at every re-appointment.
  • 3.2. ORA Staff will sign a Confidentiality agreement at the time they are hired.
  • 3.3. Guests at a convened IRB meeting will sign a Confidentiality agreement prior to attending the meeting as per HRPP policy 1.31 (Observers at IRB Meetings).
  • 3.4. Non-member consultants at a convened IRB meeting, or acting as or with an expedited reviewer, will sign a Confidentiality Agreement prior to attending the meeting.
  • 3.5. Allegations of violation of this policy will be handled as described in HRPP policy 8.5 (Noncompliance by the IRB or Other Components of the HRPP).
  • 3.6. Violation of this policy may lead to actions against the IRB member, the ORA Staff, or other responsible party, as determined by the IO. These actions could include, but are not limited to, dismissal from the board, disciplinary actions, or termination of employment.

DOCUMENT HISTORY:

 Written: 1/12/2018 (Approved: 1/12/2018) - original author not recorded

 Revised 11/26/2025 – clarified “discussions and deliberations” vs “findings” (section 2.2); clarified that use of a consultant by an expedited reviewer also requires a signed confidentiality agreement (section 3.4); stylistic changes

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