Institutional Review Board

LSUHSC-NO IRB EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 

The LSUHSC-NO IRB Emergency Preparedness Plan is intended to ensure sustainability of the IRB and continuing protection of research participants during emergencies. In the event of an emergency, employees, research participants, and their well-being is of highest priority. Overall, research personnel should prioritize the health and safety of human subjects when deciding how to move forward with research activities.

This information is provided for those research teams that do not have mandated emergency procedures.

Study teams should rehearse evacuation procedures so that they take subject lists, sponsor contact information, and other important information related to the study with them at the time of evacuation. Study teams should also be alerted to the need for maintaining contact with the Institution through guidance provided on the LSUHSC-NO emergency website.

A telephone number and email address should be established for each research study so that participants can contact the research team as needed during a disaster.

Research teams should ensure that all files (study records, participant contact lists) are maintained in a secure and accessible location.

Emergency contact numbers from study participants should be obtained prior to the hurricane season. Study teams must discuss emergency contact procedures with subjects during study visits and provide contact information letter and card.

The LSUHSC Emergency Weather Plan also has information related to requirements for research teams in a disaster: Emergency Weather Plan (CM-51)

 

Reminder:

Procedures undertaken during an emergency event do not need to wait for IRB approval as there may not be sufficient time for submission and approval.

All emergency procedures must be reported within 5 days when normal operations resume.

 

Resources

Wallet size cards templates have been developed to be provided to all active participants taking study drugs or devices. Cards are designed to provide subjects with:

  1. Principal investigator’s name
  2. Title of study
  3. Name of sponsor
  4. Study drug and whether study is a blinded placebo design
  5. Research Team contact number

LSUHSC-NO IRB Emergency Card Template               

Information will be listed on the listed on LSUHSC-NO IRB emergency website with links to television and radio announcements for emergency management and evacuation information.