All research at Southwest Washington Medical Center involving human research subjects must be reviewed by an IRB. The purpose of these reviews is to determine if subjects will be placed at risk and if the benefits of the research warrant the risk. The IRB review process assists in determining the following:

• The potential risks to the subjects are clearly identified in the research protocol and in the informed consent form. 
  
• The research risks are outweighed by the benefits to the research subjects, and the importance of the knowledge to be gained. 
  
• The rights and welfare of all research subjects are adequately protected. 
  
• A process provides an adequate explanation of the potential risks and safeguards as well as the benefits of participating in a research study. 
  
• The process and documentation conform to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), International Conference of Harmonization for Good Clinical Practice, the US Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP) and Southwest Washington Medical Center IRB guidelines.