Best Practices for Submission to the Institutional Review Board

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) exist to protect the rights and safety of individuals who participate in clinical research. The IRB is a group of clinicians, community members, and patient representatives charged with the responsibility to protect patient rights. Individuals who participate in quality improvement (QI) projects have the same rights as those who participate in research. Although the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) is not a researcher, under some conditions, the DNP project will require review and approval by the IRB prior to its conduct. This chapter explains the role and the work of IRBs, distinguishes between research and QI projects, and identifies proposals (for investigations and evaluations in either area) that require IRB review. It describes practices that promote smooth submission and approval of the DNP projects, and supports effective collaboration between the DNP and IRB committee members and staff.