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Research Administration

Research Policy & Process

Operational/Administrative Review

All research activities that involve Covenant Health facilities, equipment, supplies, patients, staff, physicians and volunteers requires operational/administrative review prior to any research activity taking place.  Recruitment and screening of patients is considered to be a research activity and requires approval, even if the research does not take place at a Covenant Health facility.

NOTE:  If you will be accessing health records as part of your study, download General Guidelines

Email CHRC 

Research Process

The research process for studies involving Covenant Health includes:

1. Initiate the research ethics approval process at either the HREB, CHREB, or HREBA (or REBX if multi-site) based on your study focus and affiliation. Ensure “Covenant Health” is listed as a location:

  • ARISE 1.5, 2.0 Research Locations and Other Approval
  • IRRIS 2.0, Impact and Operational Approvals

2. If the study proposes access to Connect Care, please also indicate “Alberta Health Services” as a location

  • If the REB deems that the project does not require an ethics review, a letter from the REB stating same will be required to proceed with your project. Please send a copy of the letter to the CHRC office for file.

3. Submit all documents to research@covenanthealth.ca: 

  • a completed CHRC application form signed by the principal investigator
  • a completed HIA Agreement signed by the principal investigator
  • any sponsor or granting agency agreements for Risk Management/Legal Review
  • any relevant protocols and quotation requests to Lab, Pharmacy or Diagnostic Imaging Services as appropriate.

4. Once both REB and Covenant approvals are in place, contact the manager responsible for the department(s) impacted by your study to arrange for an orientation(s) to your study. If manager is unknown, please contact the CHRC for assistance.

5. Acknowledge Terms of Reference and establishment of a Research Trust Account if appropriate to your study (trust accounts are managed by Covenant Finance).

6. Ensure that REB approval is renewed every year prior to the expiry date throughout the duration of the study, and submit any Adverse Events Reports to the REB.

7. Submit any amendments/modifications to study protocols, agreements, etc. to both the REB and the CHRC.

8. Notify the REB and CHRC when the study is formally closed and submit a Final Report to the CHRC for file.

9. Contact the CHRC for knowledge transfer and dissemination opportunities for your study.

Process for Researchers requiring access to Connect Care

Covenant Health would like to acknowledge that what we refer to as Alberta is the traditional ancestral territory of a diversity of Indigenous peoples and home to Treaty 6, 7, and 8. We honor the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika, the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, the Tsuu T’ina Nation and the Métis People of Alberta. This includes the Métis Settlements and the Six Regions of the Métis Nation of Alberta within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland. We recognize and give thanks to the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations, all who continue to grace these lands, and all future generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.

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