How will we know if we must suspend face-to-face human subjects interactions?
Background:
In the OVCRGE Research Reboot guidance it was stated that at any time UW–Madison may again suspend face-to-face human subjects interactions if events dictated the need to do so.
- On March 15, 2020, UW–Madison paused face-to-face human subjects interactions for all studies except therapeutic studies using a drug or device, or those studies where in-person interactions were critical to the participant’s health and safety.
- On June 1, 2020, a gradual restart of face-to-face human subjects interactions began with studies that could mitigate risks, had the potential for direct and meaningful benefit to individual participants, and that had approval from the relevant School/College/Unit.
- On July 1, 2020, face-to-face human subjects research interactions were phased-in further to include all other studies, pending approval of restart from the School/College/Unit.
For safety information for face to face human subjects research, go to: https://d1cjb8q1w2lzm7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/06/F2F-Research-Study-Team-Guidance-for-Minimizing-COVID-19-Risks.pdf
The dashboard below contains criteria monitored by the campus leaders to allow decision-making on continuation or suspension of face-to-face human subjects research interactions. Individual criteria or a combination of criteria may lead campus leaders to suspend most face to face human subjects research interactions, or to roll back particular activities.
OK: indicates that a particular criterion has not been reached and is within acceptable limits for face-to-face human subjects study interactions.
WARNING: indicates that caution must be applied to a particular criterion, which may be approaching or outside of acceptable limits.
If another suspension of face-to-face human subjects interactions is warranted, study teams will be informed with an email message to PIs and on the research.wisc.edu webpage.
| Points to Consider | Decision Criteria for continuation of face-to-face human subjects research | Level |
| 1. National, State, or local directives restrict public movements, such as safer-at-home orders. |
|
OK |
| 2. UW–Madison staff availability to serve critical campus functions | Critical staff are available | OK |
| 3. Capacity within local healthcare systems to accommodate treatment of COVID-19 cases | Capacity is within acceptable limits | OK |
| 4. Percent positivity rates of COVID-19 cases in Dane County and on UW–Madison campus |
No substantial increase over 7-day period https://covidresponse.wisc.edu/dashboard/#positivesCommunity |
OK |
| 5. PPE availability at UW–Madison for research use |
Sufficient PPE are available for research use |
OK |
| 6. COVID-19 test availability at UW–Madison for researchers and staff | Testing is available | OK |