Biosafety panel’s approval process for protocols to go online
The university's procedure for submitting research protocols that require approval by the Administrative Panel on Biosafety (APB) will soon switch from a paper-based system to one that is done entirely online. Researchers may sign up now for in-person presentations on the new eProtocol Biosafety system, which is scheduled to debut on Oct. 27.
eProtocol systems are already in place for the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care (APLAC) and Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO). Currently, each system is separate, but the university's research compliance office is expected to merge them in the future.
The new biosafety system is designed to allow principal investigators to check approval status online and around the clock, as well as improve communication with biosafety program staff. The new system also is expected to improve and centralize record creation and maintenance, provide automatic reminders and reduce use of paper.
Existing active protocols that were approved via the paper-based system are being entered into the new eProtocol system. When first using the system, principal investigators are urged to check their protocols to ensure that they have been entered correctly.
Environmental Health and Safety is constructing a website to help guide new users through the eProtocol Biosafety workflow, and it will feature downloadable documents and list specific procedures for submitting new protocols, communicating with panelists and accessing all online information. The site is set to launch on Oct. 23 at http://eprobio.stanford.edu.
In-person presentations for faculty and staff on the new system will be held on Thursday Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon, and on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. Those who would like to attend either session should contact Robyn Barron at rbarron@stanford.edu or 724-0798.