Services & Programs
Hospitals & Centers
Health Library
E-newsletters
Classes & Events
Research
Ways to Give
Case Report Guidelines
Case reports contain clinical information on a single patient or a small series of patients that describe an interesting and/or unique point of care or treatment or outcome. Case reports are generally based on the retrospective review of the medical record and input by the physician. The Spectrum Health Research and Human Rights Committee’s (Spectrum Health IRB) role as the Spectrum Health Privacy Board, is to ensure that the information contained in the report and being presented and/or published does not infringe on the patient’s privacy rights as applicable to the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and all subsequent revisions.
If you are considering a case report that utilizes Spectrum Health data, the Spectrum Health Research and Human Rights Committee Privacy Board must review and approve any presentation and/or publication prior to submission.
Here are the steps to follow if you would like to present and/or publish a case report:
Residents and Students (GRMERC)
- Contact the treating physician to discuss and establish a verbal approval for writing up the case.
- After receiving verbal approval from treating physician, review the patient chart and draft the case report.
- Review draft with treating physician for accuracy.
- Submit draft case report to the GRMERC Research Department at research@grmerc.net.
- Submit draft case report and Request for Approval form to the Spectrum Health Privacy Board (IRB) at 100 Michigan NE, MC 038, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
- The Privacy Board will review the draft.
- A response from the Privacy Board will be sent within 10 business days.
- Place the approval letter in a safe place.
Other Students
- Contact the treating physician to discuss and establish a verbal approval for writing up the case.
- Submit Request for Approval form to the Spectrum Health Privacy Board (IRB) at 100 Michigan NE, MC 038, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
- The Privacy Board will review the draft.
- A response from the Privacy Board will be sent within 10 business days.
- Place the approval letter in a safe place.
- Upon approval of concept, review medical records and complete draft.
- Write the final case report.
- Submit final presentation to the Spectrum Health Privacy Board (IRB) referencing IRB# received in concept approval letter.
Faculty
- Submit draft case report and Request for Approval form to the Spectrum Health Privacy Board (IRB) at 100 Michigan NE, MC 038, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
- The Privacy Board will review the draft.
- A response from Privacy Board will be sent within 10 business days.
- Place the approval letter in a safe place.