AAHRPP -AAHRPP accredits largest number of institutions at one time in organization's history

AAHRPP accredits largest number of institutions at one time in organization's history

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A Mix of Hospitals, an Independent Review Board, Universities and VA Facilities
Join Expanding List of Accredited Organizations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC, June 26, 2007 -- The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP) today announced the largest number of institutions to be accredited at one time in the organization’s history. A combination of hospitals, an independent review board, universities, and Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities join the list. The following were accredited:

Full Accreditation

Hospitals/Health Systems

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Independent Review Board

IntegReview Ethical Review Board, Austin, Texas

Universities

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia

VA Facilities

Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System, Honolulu, Hawaii
VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
Veterans Affairs Healthcare Network Upstate New York at Albany, Albany, New York

Qualified Accreditation

Lexington VA Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky

“This is a very exciting time for these organizations and for AAHRPP,” said Marjorie A. Speers, Ph.D., executive director, AAHRPP. “This is the largest number of accreditations we have awarded at one time and we expect the numbers to continue to grow as we see an ever-expanding list of applicants. Not only is it a significant achievement for these institutions, but accreditation is critical for the public’s trust in research.”

Through the intensive accreditation process, organizations must be able to demonstrate that extensive safeguards are built into every level of their research operation. AAHRPP standards exceed federal regulation in several ways. For example, the protections for research participants that the federal government requires only for federally sponsored or regulated research are extended to all research. In addition, AAHRPP requires additional protections, such as conflict of interest rules and community education. The rigorous accreditation process often results in system-wide improvements that provide greater protection for research participants and ensures the integrity of the research. Accreditation is valid for three years.

The 16 accredited today join the list of research organizations already accredited by AAHRPP, which now includes 68 organizations, representing a total of 261 entities. The list is comprised of organizations in the biomedical and behavioral and social sciences research fields, including community hospitals, teaching hospitals, independent review boards, research institutes, contract research organizations, and universities. AAHRPP is currently working with nearly 400 organizations that are in the accreditation process.

About The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc.

The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP), is a nonprofit organization that works with organizations that conduct human research to raise the level of protection for research participants. AAHRPP accredits organizations that can demonstrate they provide participant safeguards that surpass the threshold of state and federal requirements. The accreditation program utilizes a voluntary, peer-driven, educational model. For organizations interested in learning more about AAHRPP accreditation, visit www.aahrpp.org.

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