May a VA medical center (VAMC) with a small research program rely on the RIO of another VAMC instead of appointing its own RIO ?
A number of VAMCs with smaller research programs have established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a larger VAMC to use the latter’s IRB and Research and Development Committee for oversight of the smaller VAMC’s protocols. Regardless of these arrangements or the size of a VAMC’s research program, VHA Handbook 1058.2, Paragraph 7.a., requires that each VA medical center with research involvement designate a permanent RIO position responsible for overseeing misconduct allegations at that facility.
