International variation in ethics and contract approval processes for a low-risk observational study of mechanical ventilation discontinuation practices

Objectives To describe international variation in ethics and contract processes, identify predictors of approval times, and reasons for nonparticipation in an international observational study of ventilation discontinuation practices. Study Design and Setting A nested cross-sectional survey of research personnel at 111 participating sites (representing 142 intensive care units [ICUs]) from six geographic regions (Canada, India, the United …