Expedited IRB Review
Protocols may be reviewed either at a meeting of the full IRB or by “expedited review.”
For “certain types of research involving no more than minimal risk and for minor changes to existing research,” an IRB may choose to use an expedited review procedure. The expedited review may be conducted by the IRB chair or by designated experienced IRB member(s) (45 CFR 46.110).
Investigators should understand that expedited review is conducted by fewer individuals, but is no less stringent and not necessarily faster than a full IRB review. If any individual reviewer who conducts an expedited review is unable to approve a proposed study, the study must be discussed by the full IRB.
