Chang Gung Health System Earns US Accreditation for Human Research Subject Protection

(CNA, Taipei, May 21, Reporter: Shen Pei-Yao) The Chang Gung Health and Medical System recently attended the 25th anniversary conference and accreditation ceremony of the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) in the United States, receiving a 5-year full reaccreditation. This accreditation, which covers 8 major campuses across Taiwan, showcases the international recognition of its protection for human research subjects. In a press release today, the Chang Gung Health and Medical System shared this achievement. A team led by Cheng Wen-Chun, Chairman of the Chang Gung Decision-Making Committee, traveled to Detroit, USA, from May 19 to 21 to receive the "Full Reaccreditation." The 5-year validity period symbolizes the system's long-term commitment and practice of the core value of protecting research subjects. Chang Gung stated that AAHRPP is a key international accreditation body for the protection of human research subjects, with evaluation focusing on subject safety, independence of ethical review, research management, and conflict of interest mechanisms. Chang Gung's successful reaccreditation with "zero deficiencies" signifies that its human research operations meet international standards. It also means that in the future, individuals participating in Chang Gung's clinical research will receive consistent and comprehensive protection of their rights, regardless of the campus. This accreditation covers 8 Chang Gung research institutions, including Linkou, Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Tucheng, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung, making it the only institution in Taiwan to pass the international accreditation as a complete medical system. Chang Gung explained that although the campuses differ in scale, location, and specialty, they all adhere to the same framework for subject protection and research governance. This includes core systems like the Institutional Review Board (IRB) review, research compliance management, and conflict of interest reviews, ensuring consistent research quality and standards. Cheng Wen-Chun stated that under the long-term support of Chairperson Wang Jui-hui for medical research development, improving clinical patient care quality, and continuously promoting subject protection management, Chang Gung has implemented the AAHRPP accreditation system since 2017. It has continued to strengthen its human research governance and subject protection mechanisms through standard operating procedures, cross-campus system management, and regular quality monitoring. "The advancement of human research must be built on the premise of protecting the safety and rights of subjects, and institutionalized and standardized management is the essential foundation for maintaining research quality," stressed Cheng Wen-Chun. He added that they will continue to deepen research ethics governance and subject protection systems to ensure every human study is based on the core values of respecting subjects' rights and research safety, while also aligning with international standards to enhance the quality and public trust of clinical research in Taiwan. (Editor: Chen Ching-Fang) 11505