Are You Considering Participating in Research?
What You Should Know . . .
If you are a Veteran and considering volunteering in research, please click here for more information about research and what it means to participate in research.
New ORO Guideline for Enforcement of VA Handbook 6500 §6.c(4)(j) Regarding VA Sensitive Research Information on Non-VA “Other Equipment”
This Guideline applies solely to ORO’s enforcement of VA Handbook 6500 §6.c(4)(j) as it pertains to VA sensitive research information. It does not impact the enforcement of the §6.c(4)(j) requirement by any other relevant office within VA. ORO will continue to enforce regulations and policy requirements for the disclosure of PHI to non-VHA entities, e.g., VHA Handbook 1605.1.
New ORO Handbooks Released
VHA Handbooks 1058.05 (VHA Operations Activities That May Constitute Research) and 1058.06 (Research Conducted By Employees of VHA Program Offices) have recently been issued. Click here for more information about these Handbooks.
Research Compliance Reporting Requirements
The latest revision of VHA Handbook 1058.01 RESEARCH COMPLIANCE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (November 15, 2011) is now in effect. The following documents provide guidance on the revised Handbook:
Have Questions for ORO?
Facilities can communicate quickly and easily with specified ORO workgroups by using the eMail-ORO system. Click here for more information.
How to File a Complaint About VA Research
Complaints related to VA research can often be resolved by contacting the VA Medical Center conducting the research.
When direct contact with the Medical Center is not desired, complaints related to the protection of human research subjects may be directed to the Office of Research Oversight (ORO) by contacting the appropriate ORO Regional Office. Complaints related to research information protection, research safety and security, or laboratory animal welfare should be directed to ORO Central Office by telephone (202-266-4577) or through eMail-ORO (click here).
Specific allegations related to fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism (“Research Misconduct”) should be presented to the Research Integrity Officer (RIO) at the VA Medical Center conducting the research. When direct contact with the Medical Center is not desired, research misconduct complaints may be directed to ORO Central Office at 202-266-4574.
ORO does its best to honor the confidentiality of persons who file complaints about VA research.
However, persons who do not wish to identify themselves and would rather remain ANONYMOUS may call ORO’s toll-free COMPLAINT LINE at 1-877-343-6562.
Please provide as much information as possible when calling the Complaint Line. ORO may not be able to follow-up effectively without sufficient information.
Complaints in the following areas should be directed to the appropriate office listed below:
• Medical Treatment – VHA Medical Inspector Hotline (1-800-634-4782)
• Fiscal Waste/Fraud/Abuse – VA Inspector General (1-800-488-8244)
• Billing/Payment – VHA Compliance & Business Integrity (1-866-842-4357)
• VA Benefits – Veterans Benefits Administration (1-800 827-1000; 1-800-4833 TDD).
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