IACUC
Semiannual IACUC Facility & Program Inspections
In order to comply with USDA regulations and NIH PHS Policy for the use of animals in research, the IACUC must review the animal care program and inspect animal facilities and animal study areas at least every six months. These inspections review regular housing facilities, satellite facilities, PI research labs, central core procedure rooms (e.g. imaging modality rooms), and transport vehicles where animals are housed and used.
The purpose of inspections is to ensure:
- Animal and personnel safety
- General laboratory maintenance (safe/clean lab areas for animal use)
- The housing and study area meets Guide standards based on procedures being performed
- The IACUC has approved all procedures conducted, agents administered, and rooms in use
- Euthanasia methods are in accordance with the IACUC protocol and AVMA Guidelines
- All individuals working with animals are listed as Study Personnel on the approved IACUC protocols/studies
- All individuals working with animals are qualified and have completed all training requirements
The Inspection Team
The site visit team is composed of at least two members of the IACUC, one of which will be a USF veterinarian. Site visitors will ask questions about animal use as it relates to each project. Site visitors will review:
- Procedures performed
- Record keeping (Drug Logs, Anesthesia/Surgery Records, Satellite Housing Records)
- Agent use and storage
- Survival surgery areas and other animal use areas
- Aseptic technique
- Posted signs (e.g., Reporting Deficiencies, Not for Human Consumption, etc.)
- Clean and safe areas for use of animals, in date (e.g., therapeutic drugs, anesthesia, analgesia, food, etc.), supplies etc. and any other items or information deemed pertinent to animal welfare and facility compliance
Inspection Preparation
The IACUC Office has created a Semiannual Facility Inspection form/checklist used by IACUC members and additional resource to help laboratories prepare for inspections. Laboratories should also review previous findings to ensure that all items have been resolved and individuals have been trained to prevent recurrence.
Having a knowledgeable representative or representatives available during the laboratory inspection greatly enhances the inspection process/outcomes. The representative(s) should be knowledgeable of all animal activities conducted in your laboratory, able to provide the site visitors with access to your areas of use and be prepared to address any questions the site visitors may have.
The items listed below are commonly cited findings observed during semiannual inspections of labs. They do not present a comprehensive list of requirements for animal use. Animal users are required to follow all relevant standards, including the Animal Welfare Act Regulations, Public Health Service Policy, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition and their IACUC approved protocol.
- All medical, procedural and post-operational records should be available for review
(list and links below)
- C013 Progress Notes - Drugs, including Controlled Substances, should be available
- All Drug/Controlled Substance Logs should be available for review
- DEA Controlled Substances must be double locked at all times (i.e. lockbox within
a locked room, lockbox within a safe that is secured to the wall or floor, locked
safe in a locked room, etc.)
- DEA Controlled Substances must be double locked at all times (i.e. lockbox within
a locked room, lockbox within a safe that is secured to the wall or floor, locked
safe in a locked room, etc.)
- All materials should be labeled to indicate the substance and expiration date. Any
expired items must be discarded or appropriately labeled "EXPIRED - Not for Use in Animals" and stored separately.
- Animal use areas (including benchtop areas) should be clear of all clutter and debris.
- Personal Vehicle Transportation - Refer to SOP 007 Transportation, Relocation, or Reassignment of Animals
- Satellite Housing Records should be available for review as well as, daily room records and animal husbandry logs. In addition to, a Satellite Animal Facility Emergency Disaster Plan must be completed and incorporated into the protocol(s).
Scheduling
The USF IACUC office staff plan, schedule, and coordinate all IACUC semiannual inspections and communicate the inspection schedule and results to PIs and facility managers. Each Fall (October) and Spring (April), the IACUC office contacts Principal Investigators and sets a tentative date and time for the inspection. They send email notifications of upcoming inspections approximately two to four weeks prior to the inspection.
Someone knowledgeable about the facility/laboratory and the procedures involving live animals must be present to allow the team access and to answer questions. For facilities/vivariums, the representative may be the facility manager or a knowledgeable designee. For laboratories, the representative may be the PI, the lab manager or a knowledgeable designee.
Given the nature of the inspection process it is not possible to give each lab group an exact arrival time, however, the IACUC will try to accommodate special scheduling requests. If you have time constraints, please respond to the notification email promptly to make suitable arrangements.
Note: The list of laboratory locations is generated directly from proposals. It is important that researchers review proposals to ensure that all locations are correct. If corrections need to be made, please notify the IACUC office promptly and submit a modification in ARC eIACUC to amend your study sites, as necessary.
Deficiency Findings Notifications
Investigators will be notified of the inspection findings via email within two to three working weeks of the inspection. Each deficiency must be corrected by the date specified in the report, however extensions may be requested from the IACUC.
Resources
- Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Act Regulations
- Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Institutes of Health, August 2002)
- Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Research Council, 2010)
- AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia (American Veterinary Medical Association, January 2020)
- USF IACUC PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES OF ANIMAL CARE AND USE
Contacts
| Farah Moulvi, MSPH | Institutional Safety Officer & IACUC Manager | (813) 974-0954 |
| Adrienne Booker, M.S., LAT | Safety & Compliance Officer | (813) 974-5110 |
| Paul “Andy” Mackley, M.S. | IACUC Research Compliance Administrator | (813) 974-7106 |
| IACUC Email and Front Desk | (813) 974-5638 |