VAIRRS Ambassador Program

In each issue of the VAIRRS Newsletter (every other month), a leading site utilizing the VAIRRS program is selected as a VAIRRS Ambassador. Facilities are evaluated based on participation, enthusiasm, and commitment to improving the system and contributing to the benefits the VAIRRS enterprise has to offer. The select VAIRRS ambassador serves as a great role model to other sites across the country, who want to learn more about VAIRRS and how the program can make their job more efficient and effective.

VAIRRS MAY AMBASSADOR: VA PHOENIX HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

VAIRRS Experience:

The VA Phoenix Health Care System (HCS) research transition to VAIRRS started in 2020 and went live in spring 2021. Research staff prepared for the transition by copying pertinent documents for ongoing studies from a customized VA SharePoint database into VAIRRS and provided ongoing training to the research community. To date, VA Phoenix HCS has continued with training, currently offering weekly VAIRRS Q&A sessions developed and led by the R&DC Coordinator to committees and investigators. The Q&As facilitate their continuous effort to update guidance and reference documents for study teams, ultimately creating a dynamic improvement culture.

In early 2023, the COI administrators implemented the COI process through VAIRRS and provided in-depth training sessions to research staff, committees, and investigators prior to full implementation. Additionally, the VA Phoenix HCS Personnel and Training Manager transitioned managing the staff training records from an internal database to VAIRRS.