In collaboration with partners and in alignment with our clinical programs, the Ascension St. Vincent’s Clinical Research department is committed to improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities through discovery, development and care.
Clinical research trials test the safety and effectiveness of new therapies in a controlled environment with volunteer participants. Whether it's a promising new cardiac medication, a new medical device or surgical approach, clinical trials are essential to advancing medicine and improving care. Trials also give volunteers access to potential treatments before they become available.
Volunteering for a clinical trial
Our researchers participate in clinical trials supported through the government, medical and device companies. We also conduct our own independent research. The advancements made through clinical research are not possible without the volunteers who participate in research studies. Your participation may or may not help you personally, but the results of the research could help other people in the future.
It is up to each person to decide if they want to be in a research study and participation is always voluntary. You can stop at any time. Your decision to participate will not affect the care you receive.
Before you decide to participate in a study, be sure that you understand the research study, and the risks and responsibilities involved. Our researchers will provide you with information and can answer any questions you may have. Common questions include:
- Who can participate in clinical trials?
- How can I decide if a trial is right for me?
- What is a clinical trial?
- What is informed consent?
- Is it safe for me to participate in a clinical trial?
- What questions should I ask before I volunteer for a clinical trial?
- What happens to the information from the study?
Deciding to take part in a clinical trial is personal. There are many reasons you may choose to participate. For example, clinical trials can give you the opportunity to receive the latest treatment options. During the trial, you are watched closely by your care team for side effects from the treatment or medicine being tested.
Why choose Ascension St. Vincent’s?
If a doctor thinks a clinical trial may be right for you, you may be asked to visit a university medical center. Most community health systems don't have the expertise or facilities to conduct ongoing clinical research. However, Ascension St. Vincent’s does conduct clinical research trials with multiple locations near you. We provide:
- Clinical research trials, including the same national trials offered at university medical centers
- Clinical trials led by doctors and include a research team to monitor your progress throughout the trial
- Protection of participant rights and safety by the Ascension Institutional Review Board that reviews every clinical trial for approval
Ascension St. Vincent’s is following more than 300 patients in clinical research trials (at any given time) across specialty therapeutic areas, such as cardiology, diabetes, infectious disease and orthopedics.
Benefits of participating in clinical research
- Advancing medical knowledge with research helps doctors understand diseases better, develop new treatments, and improve on existing knowledge, leading to better healthcare outcomes for everyone
- Access to cutting-edge treatments that are yet not available to the general public, potentially improving patient outcomes
- Contribution to the greater good and the collective effort to support medical science and improve healthcare for future generations
- Personalized healthcare with tailored treatment options for your specific health needs
- Close medical monitoring, which can lead to early detection of health problems and better health management
About the IRB
The Ascension Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews study protocols to ensure the protection and ethical treatment of human subject research participants, as well as the scientific integrity of the research. The Ascension IRB operates under a domestic Federal Wide Assurance for the Protection of Human Subjects (FWA00015877) granted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
As of October 1, 2022, we have a single Institutional Review Board (IRB) with regional panels and an office focused on streamlining minimal risk studies. If you are participating in a study that already has a review by a central IRB, our reliance team can work with you and the central IRB.
Our organization uses an electronic IRB system called eIRB for all IRB submissions, including those that are requesting reliance on a central IRB. This system is available at: eirb.ascension.org. Our Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Plan and its other associated HRPP and IRB policies are publicly available at the eIRB home page.
Interested in clinical trials?
If you would like to learn more about clinical trials at Ascension St. Vincent’s, please fill out this form. A care team member will reach out to you by email or phone.
