What is an Institutional Review Board?

An institutional review board, also known as the IRB, is a group of individuals from varied disciplines who review, monitor and approve research at an institution. Southwest Washington Medical Center conducts multiple research studies that include leading edge technologies.

Southwest Washington Medical Center has an IRB that is made up of a multidisciplinary group that may include, but not be limited to, four or more physicians, the Southwest Chief Medical Officer and/or his/her designee, representatives with experience in Nursing, Pastoral Care/Ethics, Pharmacy, HIPAA/Privacy and at least two non affiliated community members. 

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Southwest Washington Medical Center (Southwest) has been granted authority by the Southwest Executive Administration and Board of Trustees as the responsible administrative body to ensure the protection of human subjects at Southwest. IRB members are appointed for three-year (renewable) term(s). Appointment is managed by any of the following: Southwest Washington Medical Center President, Institutional Official, Chief Medical Officer or Southwest Administration in consultation with the IRB Chair/Co-Chairs and IRB Program Administrator. This multidisciplinary group reviews, approves, and monitors all research on human subjects at the hospital conducted by Southwest Washington Medical Center medical, nursing and ancillary staffs.