Office for Education & Quality in Clinical Research
The Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute established the Office for Education & Quality in Clinical Research (EQ) in October of 2002. Its purpose is to provide a centralized office for the guidance and facilitation of the clinical research process. All HHRI and HHS clinical researchers and their staff are welcomed and encouraged to use the resources the EQ provides. There is no charge, as HHRI continues to honor its commitment to ethical research practices and the protection of subjects who consent to participate.
The provided services of the EQ are multifaceted and can vary with the specific request of the investigator or staff. See more about services below.
Office for Education and Quality in Clinical Research (EQ) Staff
Bonnie Crissman – Director | bcrissman@hhrinstitute.org
Deb Grillo – Manager | dgrillo@hhrinstitute.org
Chris Waller – Clinical Research Administrator | cwaller@hhrinstitute.org
Policy & Procedure Updates
Clinical Research Guidance - 501 MANUAL Conducting Human Research
The Clinical Research Guidance provided in the 501 MANUAL Conducting Human Research is implemented and maintained by the Office for Education and Quality in Clinical Research (EQ) and the Human Research Protection Office (HRPO). Guidance is provided as part of HHRI's commitment to ethical research practices and the protection of subjects who consent to participate.
OEQCR Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
OEQCR administrative and compliance SOPs are maintained by the Office for Education and Quality in Clinical Research (EQ). Guidance is provided as part of HHRI's commitment to ethical research practices and the protection of subjects who consent to participate.
Services
The provided services of the EQ are multifaceted and can vary with the specific request of the investigator or staff. Examples of provided services are listed below.
Introductory Training for New Research Staff
CITI online training for investigators and other research staff
Intro to Research (in-person/virtual): primarily for the non-investigator research staff, but all are welcome
Consent Competency (in person/virtual): an introductory training for research staff that provides the forum for practicing the requirements and recommendations for connecting and informing participants about a study.
Hazardous Materials Shipping (Hazmat) and Bloodborne Pathogen training: Hazmat has an online and in-person component to ensure understanding of federal requirements for shipping hazardous material; Bloodborne Pathogen training is an online course with some in-person follow-up
Phlebotomy Competency: Annual requirement for any research staff conducting research blood draws. Exception: HHS employee who conducts blood draws as a job task in the HHS role.
Mentorship
EQ provides specific hands on training for new to HHRI/research staff who are in need of specific job task training, and/or help acclimating to HHS/HHRI systems. These staff may be providing sole study support or are part of a smaller group that is supporting several studies.
Study Start-up Program
This program is designed to provide support to investigator-initiated interventional/full committee studies. Since the IRB requires study pre-review for these types of studies, the EQ works to identify these studies as early as proposal time to help provide feedback and support during the planning phase for study feasibility and implementation, as well as to work towards a quicker IRB review.
Post-Approval Audits
As part of AAHRPP accreditation and HHRI’s commitment to the safety of its research participants, EQ conducts annual not for cause post-approval audits. EQ also conducts audits at the request of the IRB or a Principal Investigator. EQ uses a risk-based approach when identifying studies for the annual audits. It can be helpful to request an internal EQ audit when a study team is new to research, the level of risk for a study has increased, or it is known that an outside auditor will be reviewing a specific study.
Other EQ supported Services:
ClinicalTrials.gov: Guidance for PI/study team who are responsible for managing the requirements of the CT.gov clinical trial record.
External monitor management: In collaboration with HR, EQ works with study coordinators to secure on-campus and remote monitor access to study records and source documentation.
Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Program (AAHRPP) Accreditation: EQ in collaboration with HRPO strives to ensure the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) continues to provide the highest level of protection for human research participants through AAHRPP accreditation.
