Research Resources

Research Support Services and Review Committees

Most studies require engagement from areas outside of their department or division during different phases of the study lifecycle. Whether that be space, lab processing, or recruitment from other areas or populations. Engaging with the available research support services will require an internal feasibility review. 

To initiate the internal feasibility review process with any of the services listed below, research teams will complete the support service feasibility intake form which requires information such as the IRB number, final study protocol, and manuals. The information submitted through the form will be accessible to all support service areas requested by the submitter.  

Support Service Feasibility Intake Form

View detailed instructions for the intake form

View fiscal year 2025 service rates for certain support services.

Research Support Service Types 

Anesthesiology review is required for studies that include:  

  • Patients undergoing research-related procedures under the supervision of anesthesia services or staff.
  • Patients require general anesthesia, local/regional anesthesia, sedation, and/or monitoring.  

Please note: Requests for cardiac anesthesia services should contact cardiopulmonarylabLOS@luriechildrens.org. 

Contact: Anesresearch@luriechildrens.org 

Audiology provides services for patients undergoing audiology research-related procedures. 

Contact: AudiologyResearch@luriechildrens.org 

Cardiopulmonary provides support for studies that involve cardiology or pulmonary testing for research purposes as a part of the study protocol.  

The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a 6,565-square-foot dedicated space for investigators to engage in clinical research within an optimal environment that offers a flexible infrastructure and highly trained staff, thereby assuring excellence in the conduct of clinical research. 

This state-of-the-art facility on the 19th floor includes eight outpatient rooms and six private inpatient beds as well as consultation rooms. Experienced research nurses and medical assistants are on hand to assure the proficient implementation of research protocols in a child- and family-friendly setting. 

The CRU provides investigators with the specific clinical services required for their projects. Ongoing quality control programs and frequent communication with the research teams allow for the highest standard of patient care and data collection. 

Other facilities available to meet the needs of investigators include study coordinator touch down space, work areas for study auditors and monitors, and storage for study equipment and materials. 

The CRU at Lurie Children’s is under the direction of the Clinical and Translational Research Program and is the pediatric component of Northwestern University’s CRU, which receives funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the Clinical and Translational Sciences Award. 

Emergency Department (ED) review is required for studies that include direct recruitment from the ED, indirect recruitment from the ED (i.e., EPIC pages or EPIC in basket notifications), and/or utilize services or staff for research purposes. 

Please note: The Emergency Department requires four weeks’ notice prior to the start of study activities that will take place within ED. The Emergency Department should not be written into grant or project proposals without consulting the above contacts. 

The Investigational Drug Service (IDS) Pharmacy provides investigational drug management services with the primary goal of promoting patient safety for those participating in human clinical drug trials. The IDS Pharmacy assumes direct oversight responsibility for the storage, handling, preparation, dispensing, disposal, and coordination of all investigational drugs intended for human use. The IDS pharmacists are graduates of accredited Colleges of Pharmacy and are licensed to practice in the State of Illinois by the Board of Pharmacy. Certified pharmacy technicians work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. 

IDS Pharmacy provides support for studies that involve preparation, storage or dispensing of investigational medications, devices, or biologics.  

  • To activate services with IDS pharmacy: 
    • Set up Site Initiation Visit (SIV) with sponsor. If no sponsor, set up meeting/phone call with CRP and IDS pharmacy. 
    • Provide grant number, most up-to-date protocol, Investigational Brochure (IB), and pharmacy manual to IDS pharmacy. 
    • Inform IDS pharmacy of approximate start date of study. 
    • Inform IDS pharmacy of patients and appointments dates and times (as soon as appointments are made). 
  • Questions: email idspharmacy@luriechildrens.org.  

MIRO provides support for studies that include imagining (x-rays, US, MRI, CT scans, etc.) as a part of the study protocol. Refer to MIRO SharePoint Site for additional information and resources  

 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Perinatal Origins of Disease (POD) review is required for studies that directly recruit from the Lurie Children’s, Prentice Women’s Hospital NICU, and/or NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program Early Childhood Clinic, conduct research with NICU inpatient babies or families, utilize NICU services or staff for research purposes, and/or clinical research projects interested in utilizing the collaborative infrastructure of the POD research initiative. 

The OR requires a letter of support when conducting research activities such as recruitment, informed consent, administration of surveys and more. 

  • To activate services:
    • After review of this application, the OR Education team will set up a time to conduct education for all non-OR staff conducting research on floors. 
  • Contact: Chris Pytel

Ophthalmology review is required for studies that include eye exams and ophthalmologic services for research purposes.  

Review by the PICU is required for studies that directly recruit from PICU floors and/or utilize the PICU services or staff for research purposes. 

Research Lab provides support for studies that require the handle, process, and shipment of samples to external entities, test any specimens, and/or request and utilize samples from Pathology as a part of the study protocol.  

 

 

Review Committees

The following are not support services but committees that require review based on criteria of the study population, procedures, and what is being studied. These reviews are required prior to study start. 

Infection Prevention and Control

Review is required for studies that utilize equipment or instrumentation (provided or purchased) that will be used on more than one patient including items that require sterilization/disinfection before the first time use and/or involve the administration of a microorganism or a product that contains one or more microorganism (i.e., bacteria, fungi, or virus even if attenuated/non-replicable) to a participant. 

Contact: Anna O'Donnell 

Institutional Biosafety Committee

All clinical research at Lurie Children's hospital involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules; cells, organisms, and viruses containing such molecules; and human gene transfer require prior approval from the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). 

The IBC is responsible for the review of all clinical research utilizing recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids in accordance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) and the Institutional Biosafety Program at Lurie Children's. 

Visit Institutional Biosafety Committee Resources 

Nursing Research Council

Review is required for studies that focus primarily on the nursing procession or nursing care, include nurses as the study population and/or include nurses listed as principal investigator or sub-investigator on the study. 

Contact NRC@luriechildrens.org 

Radiation Safety Committee Review

Review is required for studies that involve the use of ionizing radiation on a human subject that would not have been received otherwise. This includes:

  • Any non-standard-of-care (SOC) ionizing radiation exposures due to study participation including cases where the study dictates an imaging protocol resulting in higher radiation exposure than when the exam is performed clinically. 
  • Any SOC exams or procedures performed at an increased frequency due to study participation. 

Examples of use of ionizing radiation include: 

  • Radiography (x-ray)
  • DXA
  • Fluroroscopy (to include IR and cardiac catherization procedures)
  • CT
  • Nuclear Medicine and PET imaging 
  • Radiopharmaceutical therapy
  • Radiation Therapy (e.g. external beam radiation)

Contact: Radiationsafety@luriechildrens.org or Radiation Safety Office: Nicole Murphy