Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The Riverside Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a federally registered entity responsible for overseeing all research conducted with human subjects at Riverside institutions. Our purpose is to make sure that human subjects participating in research are protected, and that research is conducted according to established ethical principles, as well as Riverside policies and procedures.
We are comprised of health care professionals and representatives from around the community. These IRB members are dedicated to making sure that research at Riverside is safe and ethical for all involved.
Contact & Meeting Information
IRB meetings are scheduled for the third Wednesday of every month.
Investigator Tools & Applications
Start a New Study
Determine if your study requires review and access the necessary forms to begin.
- Requirement: All research involving human subjects must undergo IRB review or exemption.
- QI/EBP Studies: May require approval if they fall into the research category.
Need help determining status?
Contact the IRB Coordinator.
Manage Your Study
Maintain compliance through amendments and annual reviews.
Amendment Requests
Changes to procedures, consent forms, or investigators require an Application for Amendment at least two weeks prior to the IRB meeting.
Continuation Review
Studies require annual review. Submit the Application for Continuation Review two weeks before your approval expires.
Safety & Reporting
Report events or close your study officially.
Adverse Events
Immediately report unanticipated problems to the Research Office and submit an Adverse Event Form.
Study Closure
Completed studies must submit an Application for Study Closure along with final results.
Research Policies & Guidelines
What qualifies as research?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines research as "a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge." An activity may be considered research even if it is part of a non-research program.
When do I have to go through the IRB?
Research at Riverside has to go through the Riverside IRB if it involves human subjects. A "human subject means a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains (1) Data through intervention with the individual, or (2) Identifiable private information."
Quality Improvement & EBP
Quality Improvement (QI) and Evidence Based Practice (EBP) projects may not require IRB approval if their primary aim is institution-specific knowledge rather than generalizable knowledge. However, definitions can overlap. We recommend contacting the Research Office to confirm.
Investigators must report protocol deviations (e.g., inclusion errors, consent errors, unapproved procedures) to the IRB immediately. Submitting a Protocol Deviation/Violation form allows the IRB to assess if patient safety or data integrity was compromised.
Investigators must familiarize themselves with the following ethical regulations:
- Code of Federal Regulations: 45 CFR 46 (Human Subjects) and 21 CFR 50 (FDA Clinical Investigations).
- The Belmont Report: Identifies basic ethical principles: Respect for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice.
- Nuremberg Code: Establishes the necessity of voluntary consent and scientific validity.
- Declaration of Helsinki: Guidelines from the World Medical Association on human experimentation.
Investigators must disclose any potential conflicts of interest in the IRB Application. This includes funding conflicts (financial interests in the sponsor/product), subject conflicts (authority over subjects like students/employees), or results-based compensation.
Compensation is permitted to aid recruitment but must not be coercive. Payments should accrue as the study progresses and not be contingent on completion. All compensation details must be included in the informed consent document and IRB Application.
Investigators must minimize risks to subjects. Risks must be reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits. "Minimal risk" means the probability of harm is not greater than that encountered in daily life or routine physical exams.
The IRB conducts random or for-cause audits at least annually. Investigators will typically be notified to schedule the audit. These are separate from FDA or sponsor audits.
Complaints Associated with Research
We value transparency and accountability. If you have any concerns or complaints related to research activities, ethics or integrity, please share your feedback:
- RMC IRB Coordinator: 815-933-1671 Ext 34212
- RMC IRB Chair (Dr. Ahsan Basha): (815) 432-0250
All submissions will be reviewed promptly and handled with confidentiality. Your input helps us maintain the highest standards of research quality and ethical conduct.
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