The Ethics and Compliance Online System (ECOS) is the new ethics review infrastructure that is co-developed by NHG and SingHealth. Launched on 10 May 2024, the ECOS system replaces the previous NHG ROAM system.

The DSRB Requirements & Review Process Guide serves to provide you with information to help you understand the requirements of DSRB Application Processes (i.e. Exempt Review, Expedited Review, Full Board Review) and Common Errors made when filling in the ROAM Application Form for both Biomedical and Population Health research.

Ethics and Compliance Online System (ECOS) Risks are minimized and are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits. Selection of subjects is equitable. Informed consent will be sought, and appropriately documented.

ONLY specific ROAM Users had their ROAM Account Profile migrated over to the ECOS system. The ROAM User must have met the following criteria for their Account Profile to be designated for migration to ECOS:

The NHG Domain Specific Review Board (DSRB) is an independent committee constituted of medical, scientific and non-scientific members. Since its inception in 2004, the DSRB has been providing comprehensive ethics review of research protocols to protect the rights, safety and well-being of human subjects in NHG institutions and our partner NUHS.

General 1. Is ECOS a merging of online systems or a merging of IRBs (CIRB and DSRB)? If CIRB and DSRB remain separate, would submission and reporting requirements follow CIRB or DSRB guidelines? ECOS is a merging of SingHealth iSHaRe and NHG ROAM online systems. CIRB and DSRB remain as separate IRBs.

Please note that you would still be required to submit a copy of the DSRB Application/Amendment in ROAM when you are able to login to ROAM again. This is required for complete and proper documentation of all study-related submissions.

The ROAM Account Profile of Collaborators and Study Administrators were NOT migrated to ECOS even if they were involved in active studies. In ECOS, only the PI, Site PI and Co-I (of NHG and NHG Partner Institutions) are required to be listed in the IRB application form.

Contents RESTRICTED is the new IRB IT System co-developed by NHG and SingHealth that will replace the current ROAM / iSHaRe system. The system is funded by NMRC to enhance the efficiency and quality of ethics reviews. Question – Why do we need to move to ECOS? iPhone 5 (2012) ROAM (2012) iPhone 16 (2024) ECOS (May, July 2024)

1) Choose the correct PI/ Institution/ Department on your ROAM Profile and Section B for all study team members 2) Update ROAM Profile whenever there are changes to Institution/ Department