Preparation for AAALAC

Sylvia J. Singletary, DVMDACLAM

We Know you’ve heard it before, but…..

0 The following slides are to serve as a reminder of areas that all animal users are expected to know and be able to appropriately respond, if asked during an AAALAC or IACUC site visit.

0 If you need assistance with any of these areas, please contact the Office or Regulatory Compliance or Veterinary Services.

How Can You Help?

Review this program for a start

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Keep laboratory neat and organized This says a great deal about the lab

Convey image that animal users are interested in a quality program

Good Animal Care = Good Science

What is the Role of the IACUC?

0 RIGHT ANSWERS:0 Protocol review0 Program review0 Facilities review0 Address animal

concerns

0 WRONG ANSWERS:0 “Big Bother”0 “Good question”0 “Preventing me from

doing my research”0 “I try to avoid them”

The IACUC and PAM are not the “cops”!!!

0 Information on Animal Protocols remains up-to-date and in compliance.

0 Foster a teamwork environment between the laboratories and IACUC.

0 Allow for an exchange of information and education.

0 Create consistency in policies which allows consistency in research performed at the University.

0 Our purpose is to allow your research to proceed without interruption or jeopardy!

BUT IF YOU MUST HAVE A FUNNY

Key Document: Animal Use Protocol

0 Know your animal protocol.0 It must match your grant application.0 Refer to the protocol often.0 Make no deviations from the protocol.0 There is no such thing as a pilot study that does not

need IACUC approval.0 Has everyone in your lab read it and know where it is

located?

The Process:

2 years, 9 monthsTime to renew!

Veterinary Care Program: Key Written Documents

0 What do you do? Post your procedures/Surgical SOPs.0 What do you do with a sick animal on weekends?

Is the contact number for the Veterinarian posted?0 Do you know the point at which the animal should be

euthanized?0 Remember: ALL clinical care of animals MUST be

coordinated through the Veterinary Services

Anesthesia/Analgesic

0 Use anesthetics only as described in protocol0 Gas anesthetics vaporizers should be calibrated

frequently0 Use a chemical fume hood or other means to scavenge

gas anesthetic agents appropriately

Rodent Aseptic Surgery

0 Must follow HU published “Guidelines”0 Appropriate sterilization of instruments0 Surgical preparation of

0 Animal0 Surgeon

0 Monitor anesthesia (records)0 An anesthetized animal cannot be left unattended0 Post-Operative Care consistent with HU “Guidelines”0 And described in your animal use protocol.

RECORD REVIEW

0 Clinical records must be available to the VS staff at all times.

0 Clinical records must be kept with the animal.

0 All procedures conducted on the animal must be entered into its clinical record.

Drugs

0 Only use those drugs listed in the animal use protocol0 Other drugs that may be needed for clinical care must

be under the direction of a veterinarian.0 Do you have a system for identifying and disposing of

expired drugs?0 Controlled substances will be audited. Know the DEA

rules!!

Euthanasia

0 Your euthanasia procedure must be as written in you animal use protocol.

0 What methods do you use to assure death?0 Physical methods of euthanasia require specialized

training and justification.0 Use of a guillotine for euthanasia requires that it be

properly maintained.

Occupational Health and Safety

0 All animal users MUST be registered in0 OHS program….are you?0 Physical injury issues: Who do you call?0 Do not recap needles – get our EH&S policy.0 Bite wounds – do you know what to do?0 Personal Protective Equipment – do know what is

required?

Chemical Safety

0 All chemical containers must be labeled.0 If appropriate, an expiration date must be on the label.0 Keep chemicals away from human or animal food

items.

Certifications

0 Gas anesthetic vaporizers must be certified annually.0 Hoods must be certified annually.

Animal Training for Research Staff

0 Training is an institutional responsibility

0 Generally, animal use training is provided at least monthly

0 Rodent training is provided as needed/required by the faculty

0 Training for Animal Care staff0 Documented on-the-job0 Certification is ideal (AALAS)

Good Training Results

Rodent Housing0 To remain consistent with the Guide, NO overcrowding is permitted0 Howard does not have a IACUC policy detailing overcrowding

0 Delayed or incomplete weaning is most common cause of overcrowding conditions

0 Identification0 Cage cards must be visible0 Animals must be identified

0 No housing of animals outside the vivariums unless approved by the IACUC0 Warm blooded animals except laboratory reared rats, mice and birds cannot be

outside the vivarium for longer than 12 hours (USDA regulations).0 Rats, mice, and birds and other vertebrates not covered by the USDA regulations

can be kept outside the central animal facilities for up to 24 hours. (PHS Policy)

Do you have cages in your laboratory?

0 You must have a method to ensure an adequate level of sanitation.

0 This can be accomplished by periodically (at least monthly) culturing the cage or cage accessory.

0 Contact the VS for assistance.

Additional Information

0 http://www.aalas.org – 0 Animal Technician certification program

0 http://www.aaalac.org – 0 AAALAC International home page

QUESTIONS?????