The Human Subjects Protection Program at Valley Hospital has received full reaccreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc.
According to its website, the AAHRPP Accreditation Program is a voluntary, peer-driven, educationally based model of accreditation. It seeks to recognize high-quality Human Research Protection Programs of organizations that conduct or review research. AAHRPP promotes research excellence by offering accreditation to organizations that commit to high standards for research ethics and safety. Through accreditation, an organization can demonstrate the overall excellence of its research program by providing the most comprehensive protections for research participants.
The Valley Hospital was the first organization in New Jersey to receive AAHRPP accreditation in 2016, and to date, there are only two other organizations in the state that have achieved this accomplishment. The latest accredited is good for five years.
Valley’s Human Subjects Protection Program ensures that all research at Valley is performed ethically and in compliance with strict regulatory standards. At Valley, every patient who participates in a clinical trial is guided through a thorough informed consent process, providing clear, comprehensive information about the study’s risks and benefits so they can make an informed decision about participation.
Valley’s research program works with an external Institutional Review Board, a committee of medical and non-medical professionals who ensure that human research is ethical. The IRB serves to protect patients’ rights and their welfare before and during the research study.
“We are proud to have achieved reaccreditation by the AAHRPP,” Dr. Lisa Allen, director of the Okonite Research Center, said. “Valley is committed to conducting responsible research, ensuring that all clinical trials and research initiatives meet rigorous regulatory standards, while keeping patients fully informed about the risks and benefits of participation.”
The Okonite Research Center serves as Valley’s home for translational research and clinical trials. The state-of-the-art center provides a centralized, dedicated space for our teams to conduct leading-edge research. Research and clinical trials are also conducted at The Valley Hospital and Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care.
