COVID-19 Information for Researchers

Human Research Protection Program

March 25, 2020
To: Investigators and Staff

COVID-19 Information for Researchers

Dear Colleagues,

Best practices for research conduct and IRB operations amidst the COVID-19 threat are evolving daily. The HRPP’s main priority during this time is the safety of our research participants, the safety of our researchers, and the continued compliance with human subjects protection regulations. To that end, we encourage you to stay up-to-date on UCSF’s policies and guidance regarding COVID-19 by availing yourself of the following resources:

1. UCSF’s primary source of COVID-19 information is https://coronavirus.ucsf.edu, and should be your first stop for guidance if you have questions about the Interim UCSF Policy on Human Subjects-Related Research Visits at San Francisco Campuses during COVID-19 Outbreak.

2. We understand that the Interim UCSF Policy may require you to deviate from your currently approved IRB protocol in order to ensure subject safety. Please note that modifications may be implemented per the Interim UCSF Policy without first obtaining IRB review and approval when the modification is necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject [45 CFR 46.108 (a)(3)(iii) and 21 CFR 56.108(a)(4)].

We have developed a COVID-19 resources page with FAQs to address your questions about if/when/how these changes should be reported to the HRPP. Please visit this page frequently, as the guidance will be continuously updated in this rapidly changing environment. 

 

From all of us at the HRPP, we thank you for all the work you are doing to protect the safety and wellbeing of research subjects at UCSF.