Overview

The Institutional Ethics Committee for nursing courses in Sri Manakula Vinayagar Nursing College was constituted in 2023. The major responsibility of IECs is to ensure compliance with ethical standards in research, with a focus on safeguarding the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all participants


Purpose
The IEC has been established to formalize and specify the Institution’s commitment to promotion of high ethical standards in clinical research, and teaching.


Mandate

The IEC through its delegated sub-committees functions independently for maintaining consistent ethical framework in research, and in the integration of ethical values into practice, policy relationships, and organizational activities.

• The purpose of the IEC is to promote a pluralistic and democratic exchange of ethical values and concerns, and to critically evaluate them in order to identify opportunities for enhancing the ethical integrity of the institution.
• The mandate of IEC, SMVNC essentially targets ethical aspects of research and education.

The terms of reference for the IEC are as follows:

1. To ensure that all proposed research projects adhere to established national and international ethical guidelines, while safeguarding the dignity, rights, and well-being of research participants.
2. To initiate and commission research studies on ethical aspects of practice in SMVNC.
3. Continuing education in research bioethics and ethical aspects of clinical practice by seminars, workshops and interactive discussions for all categories of staff members including nursing and paramedical staff.
4. To promote continuing education in research bioethics and the ethical dimensions of clinical practice through seminars, workshops, and interactive discussions for all staff members.
5. The Ethics committee endeavours to produce guidance on a broad range of topics.
6. Assessments of risk benefit ratio, informed consent process etc. are some examples.
7. The committee does not address or interfere in matters of an administrative nature, nor does the committee function as a grievance cell for staff members.

Functions of IEC:

The IEC screens the research proposals for their completeness and depending on the risk involved categorize them into 3 types:

1. Exemption from review for proposals that involve less than minimal risk.
2. Expedited review for more than minimal risk proposals, minor protocol amendments, research on disaster management.
3. Full review for more than minimal risk and proposals that involve vulnerable subjects.

Responsibility

IEC has responsibility within the institution with the following objectives:

• To ensure the competent review and evaluation of all ethical aspects of research projects received, to ensure compliance with the appropriate laws and safeguard welfare of subjects.
• Clinical ethics consultation.
• Education of professional, administrative, and support staff about ethical issues.
• Creation, developing revising and implementing ethical guidelines (SOPs).
• Initiate studies in ethics.
• Continuing education and training programs to ensure that IEC members are qualified to perform their specific duties.