Consent to research
Why do we need to ask for consent to research at Balgrist University Hospital?
With the introduction of the Swiss Human Research Act (HRA) in January 2014, patients have to give their informed consent for their routine patient records and samples to be used for research purposes. This applies, for example, to the retrospective evaluation of data from our hospital information system or to research involving tissue samples from the orthopaedic biobank.von Proben aus der Biobank der Orthopädie.
What does informed consent cover?
At Balgrist University Hospital, consent to research covers the further use of encrypted non-genetic and genetic patient data and biological material (tissue samples) (Art. 29, 32 Human Research Ordinance (HRO)). If you refuse to give your consent, it means:
- No to the further use of non-genetic data
- No to the further use of genetic data and samples
- No to the anonymisation of genetic data and samples
What is the procedure for obtaining consent?
As a rule, you will be given the information sheet and consent form at reception or by another member of staff on your admission to hospital or during the first clinic visit if you are attending for ambulatory care. All documents are available in four standard languages: German, English, French, and Italian.
How and where are patients’ decisions kept?
Your signed consent form will be visible in your medical records. In addition, researchers may request a collective export for a group of patients, listing the patients’ decisions. Should specific patient data from the hospital information system be required for an evaluation, it can be requested directly from the IT department.
For more information, please contact ucar@ balgrist.ch.
Last updated: July 2017