Human Subjects Protection Program Reduces Turn Around Time

March 2004

The Human Subjects Protection Program received feedback from research personnel that turn around time for Social/Behavioral Science projects was too long. A goal was set to address the problem as part of Quality Improvement and Assurance. Initial data collection ensued to determine average turn around times for full committee, expedited and exempt projects. The table below illustrates the outcome of this data collection period.

Project
Classification		 Average Time to
Project Approval
Exempt 23
Expedited* 31
Full Committee* 46
Table 1. Time From Submission of Project to Project
Approval (data obtained between 3/02 and 3/03)

Several solutions resulted in hiring a new staff member to assist with Social/Behavioral Science expedited projects. Additionally, review goals were determined for initial review of projects. After six months another round of data collection ensued. The table below illustrates current turn around times for projects submitted to the Human Subjects Protection Program. Strategies for decreasing the turn around time for projects have resulted in an average reduction time of 13 days for exempt projects, 20 days for expedited projects and 32 days for full committee projects.

Project
Classification		 Average Time to
Project Approval
Exempt 10
Expedited* 11
Full Committee* 14
Table 2. Time From Submission of Project to Project
Approval (data obtained between 1/1/04 and 1/31/04)

Turn around time will continue to be monitored in order to solidify progress made in this area.

*Includes Social/Behavioral Science projects only