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How does ISIS work?

An investigator entering ISIS for the first time will enter basic information just once – data such as name, mailing address, telephone number, names of laboratory workers, and laboratory locations. A PI or Safety Designate can enter ISIS at any time to update data. ISIS then asks the investigator a series of yes/no questions. Based on the responses, ISIS builds a custom set of virtual forms including the various applications and registrations a PI may require. Data entered by the PI or Safety Designate is available to both lab personnel and ORS as reports or queries. Once a registration or application has been submitted, it will be locked for editing until after it has been reviewed. If changes are required, it will be unlocked and the PI will be notified of the necessary changes. Laboratory Annual Reviews are also processed within ISIS. New features are being developed and improved on an on-going basis to meet new requirements and improve performance and convenience.

Which browsers are supported by ISIS ?

ISIS works well with recent versions of both Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox on a PC.  If you have a Macintosh, we recommend that you use a recent version of Firefox.  If you choose to use an unsupported browser, some features may not function properly.

How long will it take me to complete ISIS?

Depending upon the size and complexity of your laboratory activities, data entry may take several hours. It helps to be prepared with lab worker NetIDs and any information necessary to complete registrations and applications (i.e., radioactive materials, rDNA, etc.). Once the data is in ISIS, it can easily be kept current with changes in the laboratory environment and safety regulations and requirements.

How much time will I have to complete entering data into ISIS?

Investigators have two months to enter their data. At the end of two months, ORS staff will schedule an initial Laboratory Annual Review. You may prepare for this inspection by reviewing the Lab Safety Checklist.

What does ISIS do for me?

ISIS was developed to meet specific compliance and information management requirements. It uses wizards to guide the PI or Safety Designate through the personalization of the laboratory profile, then provides important information about compliance and safety to all laboratory workers. It also facilitates the processing of registrations and applications using automated communication and e-signatures. It gives lab workers access to training registration and automates most hazardous waste pickup requests. Once the profile is created, lab workers should review all safety information pertinent to that laboratory environment.

How does ISIS know when I'm finished entering all of my data?

As the PI or Safety Designate navigates through a form wizard, data for each page is saved only when the Next Screen button is pressed. If it is necessary to go backward, the browser Back button should NEVER be used. Instead, use the Previous Screen button to modify previous pages without losing saved data. Once a safety form has been completed, ISIS will return to the Safety Forms Menu page where the title of the completed form will be marked by a green or yellow indicator. If the indicator is yellow it either means the form is not yet complete, or it means that the form needs to be submitted by pressing the submit button. Applications and registrations must be submitted for review and approval. Once submitted, they are locked for editing. If changes are necessary, they will be unlocked and the PI will be informed of any changes that must be made and resubmitted for approval.

Can I designate someone else to enter the data?

Yes! Principal Investigators have 3 key responsibilities that cannot be delegated. First, PIs must establish themselves in ISIS and do the initial data entry. Initial data entry means entering ISIS for the first time and completing the first wizard that collects information about the type of work performed in the lab. The Safety Designate will be able to do almost everything the PI can do in ISIS. There may be approvals and other things which require the PI to log in. There can be only ONE Safety Designate per laboratory profile.

Office for Research Safety
researchsafety@northwestern.edu

Chicago Office:
Ward Building, Room B-106, 303 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 503-8300, Fax: (312) 503-0547

Evanston Office:
Technological Institute, Room NG-71, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: (847) 491-5581, Fax: (847) 467-2797