Policy Name:  Quality Improvement Projects Policy and Procedures
Approved:
Effective Date:01/27/2012	Page 1 of 2	Section: HRPP 3.8
/Replaced Policy: 10/01/2010

  I.  POLICY A. Introduction Quality Improvement (QI) activities are done to improve quality of programs, improve services, or improve the provision of medical care, customer service, etc. QI projects are usually done for internal purposes only. However, some QI projects may fall under the federal definition of human subject's research, and therefore may require IRB review. B. Requirements To determine whether QI activities involving human participants or individually-identifiable data must be submitted to the IRB, consider the definition of research. This policy defines when a QI project involves research and is subject to IRB review. II. DEFINITIONS Definitions for the following terms may be found in the HRPP Program Guide Section 1.3 - Definitions of terms: A. Research - DHHS and FDA Definitions B. Human Subject - DHHS and FDA Definitions  

HRPP 3.8 Quality Improvement Projects Policy and Procedures

1. What often distinguishes QI activities from research is whether the activities are intended or designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. For purposes of this policy, "generalizable knowledge" is information (findings) that can be applied to populations or situations beyond those eing immediately studied. 2. If there are no intentions to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge, IRB review is not required. 3. If QI activities are a systematic investigation AND will develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge, IRB review is required. It is important to note that at the onset, many QI projects have only local (organizational) improvement intentions, but during the process of data collection or analysis, it becomes clear that findings could be generalizable or benefit others. IRB review should occur when there is an intention to make findings generalizable. 4. When an IRB Chair, designee or IRB staff member cannot in all fairness decide or agree on whether a submission is research or QI, that application may be referred to the full board for discussion and vote. C. The QI project must be submitted to the IRB if any of the following are true: 1. there is an intent to use the data to contribute to generalizable knowledge, 2. there is a random assignment of participants to compare outcomes, 3. the activities are not normally done as part of standard operating procedures, 4. results will be used to apply knowledge to other programs outside the institution, 5. the project is subject to peer review (designed to be used outside of the institution), 6. anonymity of participants cannot be assured, or 7. the activities involve more than minimal risk to participants. D. If an investigator is unsure as to whether or not the project meets, or does not meet, the definitions above, please consult with the IRB.