CMCs Research Program Earns National Accreditation CMC is Sixth Organization Nationwide to Earn this Designation

CMCs Research Program Earns National Accreditation CMC is Sixth Organization Nationwide to Earn this Designation

MANCHESTER, N.H. (PRWEB) January 9, 2004 --- Catholic Medical Center announced today that it has earned Qualified AAHRPP Accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP). CMC is the sixth organization in the nation and the first community hospital anywhere to receive AAHRPP accreditation.

Catholic Medical Center received this recognition after participating in a voluntary and rigorous peer review of its Human Research Protection Program, including its Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is responsible for oversight of all research conducted within the facility.

We are extremely pleased to be the first community hospital in the United States and one of only six organizations in the nation to achieve this important designation from AAHRPP," said Alyson Pitman Giles, CMC president and CEO. AAHRPP accreditation underscores our long-term and continued commitment to conducting ethically sound research."

A nonprofit organization founded in 2001, AAHRPP provides accreditation to those research organizations that participate in a voluntary, peer-driven, multiple-day assessment by outside experts. Accreditation is valid for three years. Each year, accredited organizations must submit reports to AAHRPP on the status of their human research protection programs.

Catholic Medical Centers IRB includes a group of individuals, representing various aspects of research and the community at large, who review, monitor and approve research at CMC. The IRBs main responsibilities are: protect the rights and welfare of human subjects from undue research risks; protect human subjects from invasion of privacy; and promote scientifically sound ethical research.

Catholic Medical Center has been involved in research since 1986 and has 40 active trials,
ranging from cholesterol-management medication to investigational orthopedic and cardiac devices. The IRB reviews, approves, modifies and monitors all research using investigational drugs and medical devices performed on human subjects at the hospital by members of the medical, nursing and ancillary staffs.

About the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs
The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP) is a nonprofit organization that offers accreditation to institutions engaged in research involving human participants. More information is available at ww.aahrpp.org.

About Catholic Medical Center
Serving the community for more than 100 years, Catholic Medical Center is a 330-bed full-service health care facility dedicated to providing health, healing and hope to all. Catholic Medical Center offers full medical-surgical care with more than 25 subspecialties. Catholic Medical Center is also home to The Moms Place and the nationally recognized New England Heart Institute. More information is available at www.catholicmedicalcenter.org.
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