The Medical College of Georgia is in the process of obtaining accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP).  Accreditation is a voluntary process that involves ensuring the quality and integrity of a human research protection program of an institution.  The Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP) is spearheading the effort which is an enterprise-wide endeavor that will involve several departments and individuals.  OHRP will submit the application for accreditation on May 1^st.  AAHRPP will visit MCG in December 2007 for a site visit.

About AAHRPP

Founded in 2001, AAHRPP is a non-profit organization that offers accreditation to organizations that conduct or review research with humans.  AAHRPP’s mission is “protect the rights and welfare of research participants and promote scientifically meritorious and ethically sound research by fostering and advancing the ethical and professional conduct of persons and organizations that engage in research with human participants. AAHRPP achieves its mission by using an accreditation process based on self-assessment, peer review, and education.”

 Benefits of Accreditation

Research participants receive more comprehensive protection from accredited organizations.  AAHRPP’s accreditation standards exceed the federal requirements for protecting research participants.  Their standards include policies on conflict of interest and community education.  AAHRPP also requires accredited organization to maintain systems for monitoring the wellbeing of research participants. Organizations that receive accreditation have demonstrated the overall excellence of their program by providing the most comprehensive protections for research participants.  AAHRPP’s accreditation standards exceed federal requirements for safeguarding research participants and their standards apply to all research studies.

Organizations that seek accreditation find that putting safeguards enhances their reputation and the quality of their research.  It also streamlines or reorganizes their operations becoming more efficient and better at utilizing staff and resources.  This safeguarding and streamlining process gives accredited organization a competitive edge with sponsors.

AAHRPP accreditation makes a research organization the best choice for sponsors, funding agencies and government agencies.  Accreditation signals an efficient operation and quality research.  Records are organized, which allows the organization the ability to avoid delays and confusion.  Sponsors can be assured of reliable, credible data from accredited organizations.  Due to the accreditation process, accredited organizations are able to avoid costly shutdowns, duplicative inspections, and misinterpretation of regulations.

 

 Accredited organizations include:

v Baylor College of Medicine

v Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes

v Chesapeake Research Review, Inc.

v Vanderbilt University

 

Time Line:

December 2006 – Accreditation team finalized

December 2006- March 2007 – Final policy review and new web site in place

April – May 2007 – Application to AAHRPP

December 2007 – AAHRPP site visit

March 2008 – AAHRPP council decision

 

Questions regarding Accreditation