IACUC TOWN HALL MEETING May 27 th, 2015
Agenda for Discussion AAALAC Accreditation Update Reminder of IACUC Policies Animal Restraint Social Housing Enrichment Aseptic Technique Adjustment to the Amendment Process Topaz Transition From Enterprise to Elements Q & A
AAALAC Site Visit March 30 th April 2 nd Exit Briefing on the final day Overall very impressed with the program Their report goes to council for review Expect renewal letter by the end of the summer
AAALAC Site Visit Many Accolades Supportive and engaged institutional official OLAR Engaged, Cooperative Staff Institutional Veterinarian, Veterinarians, Vet Techs Informed, cooperative, and attention to animal welfare Facilities Impressive, clean, few issues unaddressed IACUC Director, staff, and coordination through the office Engaged committee, dedicated to animal welfare Program Good collaboration with affiliated units EH&S, Occ Health, etc Ahead of the game, ready to deal with changing regulatory climate
AAALAC Site Visit Suggestions for Improvement Signage for reporting animal concerns available open lab areas COMPLETED Flow meters for CO2 euthanasia not in use in all lab areas per AVMA Guidelines COMPLETED IACUC Policies not consistently followed Need method for validating that hand cleaned equipment is being sanitized Re-evaluate pest control program in ABSL COMPLETED Label expiration dates on secondary feed containers in 2 locations COMPLETED
IACUC Policies Animal Restraint Restraint manual or mechanical means to limit some or all of an animals movement. Routine (no special protocol description) <15 min No obvious distress or discomfort Non-Routine (special protocol description) >15 min Non-standard devices Changes in behavior, physiology Obvious distress or discomfort
IACUC Policies Social Housing Default social animals will be housed socially Includes mice, rats, most other species Individual Housing (special protocol description) Food/feces/urine collection or measurements Externalized catheters/implants Other extended procedural/treatment requirements Exceptions (no special protocol description) Veterinary medical or animal welfare concern Breeding Colony management Pregnant females, weaning a litter with a single male/female, breeder males between matings Aggressive behavior or known incompatibility Experimental group attrition Unavailability of a socially compatible animal
IACUC Policies Enrichment Default minimum enrichment provisions that are designated by species Deviations below the minimum require special protocol justification and approval Rodent minimums Social housing Nesting material (eg. Nestlet, brown shredded paper, papertowels, etc) and/or cage furniture
IACUC Policies - Aseptic Technique AAALAC Visit Multiple instances of inappropriate aseptic technique for rodent surgeries Retrain users performing rodent survival surgery 140 research groups By the end of the year
Opportunity for Collaboration No reporting of non-compliances Improve animal care Improve research quality Increase communication Researchers - ask any questions of vet staff Vet staff - learn more about surgeries/research
Why is Aseptic Technique Important? Prevent post-operative infections Effects of subclinical infections Inflammation Blood glucose Body weight Wound healing Pump implant failure Behavioral tests
Key Aspects of Aseptic Technique Sterile instruments Plus all other materials! Shave and clean surgical site Surgical drape
Key Aspects of Aseptic Technique Maintain sterility through the procedure Sterile gloves or Tips-only technique Serial surgeries
Video Resources JOVE Principles of Rodent Surgery for the new Surgeon (http://www.jove.com/video/2586/principles-of-rodent-surgery-for-thenew-surgeon) Procedures with Care Aseptic Technique in Rodent Surgery (http://www.procedureswithcare.org.uk/aseptic-technique-in-rodentsurgery/)
What to Expect Specialty Classes Pump and pellet implants Dates TBA, based on demand Vet staff will contact you to set-up a time to observe a surgery to retrain aseptic technique Single surgery/surgeon other surgeons present
Validation of Cleaning of Hand Washed Equipment Developing a list of equipment hand cleaned Classify by type of equipment and type of cleaning OLAR staff member will work with PI lab Test equipment before and after cleaning to determine if method is effective bioluminescence Will work with lab to modify technique as needed Regular schedule of revalidation by type of equipment/cleaning method
Adjustment to Amendment Process Administrative review Add strains with no adverse genetics Add less than 10% to original approved number Vet Review Any change covered in an IACUC approved policy or guideline Anesthesia/analgesia Euthanasia method Blood/fluid collection method covered by guidelines Minor changes to duration, frequency, timing, number of procedures if no additional pain, distress or invasiveness
Transition to new Elements System Cards transitioned over holiday break Issues with printers caused reprinting February 2015 All billing and animal orders through system March 2015 All new IACUC Protocols through system Enterprise will remain active until all enterprise protocols are retired (3 yrs)
Open Question and Answer Period See IACUC website to view policies www.ucdenver.edu/iacuc