1. Preparation for AAALACi Site Visit March 26-30
‘Do we walk the talk?’

2. AAALAC, International
Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International
Why is accreditation and the site visit important?
AAALAC Accreditation demonstrates excellence in the Animal Care and Use Program and impacts your funding!
AAALAC International

3. What will the inspectors look for?
“This is now the only lab with glassware washed by a man with two doctorates and a restraining order signed by Carl Sagan.”

4. General considerations
Know your protocol – review & understand what is approved
Ensure personnel working with animals are listed on the appropriate protocol
Expired materials – check dates on all materials used in or on animals

5. General considerations
It is ok to say “I don’t’ know”, but know who to ask.

6. Knowing how and why you do things is also important:
What training have you received for your current responsibilities?
What do the Room Entry Order signs mean?
What do you do if you are injured?
How does the red/yellow tag system work?
What PPE is required for a particular area?
Who should you contact if there are problems with the animals, facilities, or staff?

7. Room/Lab General room appearance: Items within the room:
Is the room neat (includes carts, shelving and other storage)?
Is there accumulated dust or debris (clean bench paper)?
Items within the room:
Are unnecessary or inappropriate items being stored?
Is trash disposed of properly?
Is the food container labeled and within date?
Proper PPE available and in use?
For surgery areas, space is separated and aseptic technique applied?

8. Identification Bar code Breeding information Special husbandry
Experimental information

9. Husbandry Is there food and water present?
Are the animals clean and dry?
Are the animal numbers consistent with our policy?
Are the cage and accessories appropriate?

10. Clinical Cases
All sick/injured animals must be identified and under observation and/or treatment
The veterinary staff must be involved in determining the appropriate treatment for any sick/injured animals
Treatments and/or observations must be documented
Records must be readily available to inspectors
All sick/injured animals must be identified and under observation and/or treatment
Applies to any animal that develops unexpected illness or injury
The veterinary staff must be involved in determining the appropriate treatment for any sick/injured mouse
Appropriate treatments for animals with expected abnormal phenotypes are determined during IACUC protocol review
Treatments and/or observations must be performed at least once a week and must be documented
Records must be readily available to inspectors

11. Transportation Restricted access areas Public areas ARP transport
Secured
Covered
Public areas
Secondary container
Escape-proof
ARP transport

12. Controlled Substances
OH&S registration
IACUC approval
Maintain log sheets
2 locks security
Labels on diluted or mixed substances (1 month expiration)
Return expired or unused controlled substances to OH&S
Must be registered with OH&S
Must have IACUC approval for use
Must have corresponding log sheets that have been completed with all required information
Drugs must be secured behind 2 locks and according to all OH&S polices
If drugs are diluted or mixed, the container must be labeled with all the info and the date on which the new mixture was made
Expired or unused controlled substances must be returned to OH&S

13. Analgesia
Unless an exemption is granted by IACUC, all animals undergoing any surgical procedure must be treated pre-surgically with an analgesic drug
Need for supplemental analgesia should be assessed post-surgically
Records must be readily available to inspectors

14. Survival Surgery Initial sterilization of instruments
Fully sterilized pack to begin
Use glass bead sterilizer or chemical disinfectant between rodents (up to 5 mice or 2 hrs)
Proper Aseptic technique (including rodents)
Prep animal: clip hair, disinfect skin, drape
Prep of surgeon: clean, long-sleeved lab coat; mask; bonnet; hand wash; sterilized gloves
Records must be readily available to inspectors
Date of surgery, type of procedure, name, dose, route of anesthetic, analgesic, fluids, other drugs

15. Survival Surgery Initial sterilization of instruments
Use glass bead sterilizer or 70% ethanol (up to 5 mice) to disinfect instruments between rodents
Proper Aseptic technique (including rodents)
Prep animal: clip hair, disinfect skin, drape
Prep of surgeon: clean, long-sleeved lab coat; mask; bonnet; hand wash; sterilized gloves
Records must be readily available to inspectors
Date of surgery, type of procedure, name, dose, route of anesthetic, analgesic, fluids, other drugs

16. Post-Surgical Observation
It is the investigator’s responsibility to oversee the animal’s post-surgical recovery
Check the animal frequently after surgery until it is ambulatory
Examine daily, including weekends and holidays, until sutures/wound clips are removed (7 to 10 days post-op)
Records must be readily available to inspectors
Daily post-operative monitoring: date, appearance, presence/absence of signs of pain, any treatment, initials

17. Tumor studies
Unless an exemption is granted by IACUC, all tumor studies must follow the IACUC Policy “Tumors (Neoplasms)”
Animals with tumors must be examined at least 3 nonconsecutive days per week.
If tumors are rapidly growing, invasive, metastasizing, or have potential to induce pain or distress they must be monitored at least daily.

18. Tumor studies
Current endpoint monitoring guidelines must be posted in the animal room.
Documentation of monitoring must be maintained and should be available upon request.

19. Infectious disease studies
Endpoint monitoring guidelines must be detailed in the protocol.
Documentation of monitoring must be maintained and should be available upon request.

20. Record keeping Nonstandard Husbandry Form (Appendix 5)
Surgical Records
Controlled Substances
Colony Maintenance
Protocols available to staff online (does everyone know how to access?)
Research notebooks

21. Safety Sharps disposal Hood/BSC certification Gas cylinders
Signage/Labels:
Special diet
Euthanasia
Hazards (AUSI and stickers)
Eye wash stations
Bite kits (primate users only)

22. Reporting Deficiencies
What do you do if you see something wrong?

23. Questions