Early in December, EHSO rolled out a new electronic Protocol Management System for Biosafety Protocols. This system is hosted by BioRAFT (emory.bioraft.com), and the transition will occur in 2016 whereby protocols will be uploaded as they become due for review.

The Advantages of BioRAFT:

• No Paper Forms: Paper forms will be eliminated for Notice of Intent and Annual Update/Amendment/Terminations.
• Electronic Changes: All changes to protocols will be submitted electronically.
• Evergreen Projects: The 3-year renewal will be eliminated. Instead, our office will initiate a review of your protocol every 3 years, but there will be no submission of additional forms. Projects will remain under a PI’s registration until terminated.
• One Update Per Year: EHSO will set the date for the registration to be reviewed annually. During the transition in 2016, investigators with multiple projects will upload each project as it becomes due for renewal. 
• All EHSO Protocols Will Be in the Cloud: In the future, this platform will host chemical safety and radiation safety protocols as well.
• One Stop Shop: All documents related to a registration can be uploaded to the PI’s registration. This includes Corrective Action Plans, training forms, experimental tables, schematics, and others.

What is Not Changing:

EHSO Research Safety Training, EHSO BBP and EHSO Biosafety training modules will continue to be done using the Emory Learning Management System (ELMS) tool. Investigators are responsible for ensuring that the training and immunizations are up to date for all personnel included in the protocol.

What You Need to Do:

• For new protocols: Email biosafe@emory.edu for next steps.
• For existing protocol: You will be contacted by EHSO prior to the expiration date of your protocol.
• Amendments: Email biosafe@emory.edu for next steps.

If you have any questions or would like a preview of BioRAFT, virtual sessions can be scheduled for individuals or groups. Please email us at biosafe@emory.edu to schedule a session. EHSO has also been hosting open lines for impromptu virtual sessions. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/EmoryEHSO to know when we will host more BioRAFT open lines. As always, visit us on the web at ehso.emory.edu for more information about BioRAFT.