Maintaining high ethical standards in education, patient care and research is vital to upholding WMed's mission, vision and values. Ethics, compliance and integrity in regards to research ensure compliance with all federal, state and university policies. Most of these regulations are put in place to protect people, animals, even institutional integrity, and cover a broad range of activity from general guidelines to specific regulations like financial conflict of interest. Student, residents, faculty and staff are all obligated, along with the guidance of the research compliance department, to understand their role in upholding these research standards in advancing knowledge through innovation and discovery.
Research Compliance Violation Reporting
WMed relies on you to speak up if you believe that you have observed unethical, illegal or suspicious behavior. When you speak up, you provide the information necessary to investigate and remedy a potentially damaging situation. Every report will be acted on in a confidential manner, with notification to other appropriate individuals made on a need-to-know basis. If anonymity is desired, it will be protected to the extent possible.
- How can I report a possible violation?
- Compliance and Concern Hotline: Go to www.lighthouse-services.com/wmed or call 1.833.222.1416. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Research participants are encouraged to share their concerns or complaints regarding their involvement in a research study with the investigator or study staff. However, research participants may also report their concerns to the WMed IRB at 269.337.4345, by completing the Compliance Violation Report or by contacting the Compliance and Concern Hotline at www.lighthouse-services.com/wmed or by phone at 1.833.222.1416.
- Who should use the Compliance and Concern Hotline?
Research participants, employees, students or anyone with concerns that research is not being conducted in accordance with WMed policies, with external sponsor requirements, or with federal and state regulations. Research concerns can be reported confidentially and or anonymously and without fear of retaliation against individuals who report them in good faith.
- When should the Compliance and Concern Hotline be used?
If you believe that you have observed unethical, illegal or suspicious behavior and suspect that a research compliance issue has occurred.
- What about protection from retaliation?
Employees, students or research participants who call the hotline will not be retaliated against. If an employee perceives that they are being retaliated against after making a call or submitting a concern, the employee is referred to the appropriate office to file an administrative grievance procedure.
- May I report anonymously?
Yes, you may choose to make your report anonymously at www.lighthouse-services.com/wmed or by phone at 1.833.222.1416. We ask that if you choose to report anonymously you provide as much detailed information as possible for the review.
- What happens if I contact the Compliance and Concern Hotline?
The Compliance and Concern Hotline is not intended for reporting criminal or medical emergencies (for emergency assistance, please call 911). Employee grievances such as work conditions, performance evaluations, hours of work etcs that do not require anonymity should be sent to WMed HR department. The Research Compliance Hotline is not intended for reporting criminal or medical emergencies (for emergency assistance, please call 911), nor is it intended to handle employee grievances such as work conditions, performance evaluations, hours of work etc., (please use non-research “Compliance Hotline” form located under WMed Directory). The Research Compliance Hotline has been established for complaints related to research activities.