Research

The Vail Health IRB protects the rights, safety, and welfare of human subjects through the initial review, approval, and continuing oversight of human subjects research that is conducted by or under the auspices of Vail Health.  Specifically, the IRB ensures that research involving human participants is conducted following the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report (written by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research), as well as the regulations set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration. The Vail Health IRB Committee meets monthly to review research protocols involving human subjects and evaluates both the risks to and protection of those subjects. 

AAHRPP promotes high-quality, ethically sound research through an accreditation process that helps organizations worldwide strengthen their human research protection programs (HRPPs). An independent, non-profit accrediting body, AAHRPP uses a voluntary, peer-driven, educational model to ensure that HRPPs meet rigorous standards for quality and protection. To earn accreditation, organizations must provide tangible evidence-through policies, procedures, and practices—of their commitment to scientifically and ethically sound research and to continuous improvement. As the "gold seal," AAHRPP accreditation offers assurances—to research participants, researchers, sponsors, government regulators, and the general public—that an HRPP is focused first and foremost on excellence.