AAALAC International History, Programs and Process

2. AAALAC International History, Programs and Process

3. What is AAALAC? • AAALAC stands for the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. • The mission: AAALAC International enhances life sciences by promoting the responsible treatment of animals used in research, teaching and testing through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.

4. Origins • During the post-World War II science boom, leading veterinarians and researchers saw the need for an independent organization to encourage high standards for humane animal care and use in science. • AAALAC was created to meet this need, and was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in 1965.

5. Growth • AAALAC accredits universities, companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. • In 1996, AAALAC changed its name to include “International” in order to reflect its growth outside the United States. • Today, more than 880 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 37 countries have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. • AAALAC now has offices in Rockville, Maryland (USA), Brussels, Belgium, and Waikoloa, Hawaii.

6. International representation • AAALAC has a multinational Board of Trustees, including representation from ICLAS and FELASA. • Accredited organizations in 28 countries including:Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, and the United States.

7. Organization • 68 “Member Organizations” govern AAALAC, and are represented on the Board of Trustees. • The over55-member “Council on Accreditation” carries out the accreditation program. • The Council is comprised of North American, European and Pacific Rim sections which evaluate programs in their respective regions. • 330+ “ad hoc Consultants” help conduct program evaluations.

8. Accreditation … • Is completely voluntary and confidential. • Is performance-based. • Is a peer-review process.

9. Standards • Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 2011) • Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching • European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes, Council of Europe;(ETS 123) • Other widely accepted guidelines

10. The process • AAALAC accredits the entire “program” which includes: • animal care and use policies and responsibilities • animal environment, housing and management • veterinary medical care • physical plant

11. Maintaining accreditation • Submit an annual program report to AAALAC. (The annual report form is mailed to you.) • Be revisited and re-evaluated once every three years. • Major program changes or deficiencies must be reported to AAALAC in between site visits.

12. Accreditation … • Provides a confidential, third-party peer review. • Promotes scientific validity. • Represents quality. • Demonstrates accountability. • Assures funding sources. • Helps recruit quality people. • Shows a real commitment to humane animal care.

13. What people value most about accreditation … • “It assures the credibility of our program among funding sources.” • “It provides the public with a positive image.” • “It helps convince management of the need to commit resources to maintain a high-quality program.”

14. What people value most about accreditation … • “It conveys a high level of professionalism to the scientific community.” • “Application of AAALAC standards ensures high-quality research and animal care, resulting in better science.” • “Completing the Program Description helps us identify weaknesses and self-correct them.”

15. What people value most about accreditation … • “It assures our customers that we have a quality program.” • “The rigorous peer-review evaluation ensures that we’re doing things right.”

16. Accreditation also entitles you to: • Receive AAALAC’s proprietary electronic newsletter, the “AAALAC E-brief.” • A free subscription to AAALAC’s Connection newsletter. • Telephone and e-mail consultations.

17. Accreditation also entitles you to: • Listing in the online “AAALAC Directory of Accredited Programs.” • Access to AAALAC’s Members’ Only Web site: • Materials to promote your accreditation • “Keeping Connected” (a compilation of news articles and meeting announcements of interest to the animal care community) • Tools for maintaining your accreditation • Periodic updates on the accreditation program and animal care and use issues.

18. Maintaining standards of animal care and use Getting it right

19. Role of the IACUC • Protocol Review • Program Review • Facilities and Use Area Review • Address animal concerns • Note: The IACUC is required to conduct the same level of review twice per year as the AAALAC Int. Program review team conducts every three years.

20. IACUC Protocol • Know your animal protocol. • Match to your grant application. • Refer to the protocol often. • Make no deviations from the protocol. • There is no such thing as a pilot study that does not need IACUC approval. • Has everyone in the lab read the protocol and know where it is located?

21. Training Prior to Work With Animals • Training for research staff • IACUC-required training includes RPF Modules, species specific training, and all required EHS training • Hands on training by PI or designated staff member • Training for animal care staff • Required IACUC and EHS training • Documented on-the-job training • Certification by AALAS is ideal

22. Where would you expect better study results from ? Here? Or Here?

23. 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

24. Storing Equipment & Supplies http://healthcare.spacesaver.com/centralsterile.jpg

25. Signage • Animal related injury procedures • Emergency vet care • Rodent Survival Surgery • Reporting Concerns (animal welfare)

26. Rodent Aseptic Surgery • Must follow University of Pittsburgh published “Guidelines” • Appropriate sterilization of instruments • Surgical preparation of animal and surgeon • Monitor anesthesia • An anesthetized animal can not be left unattended • Post-Operative Care consistent with • University of Pittsburgh “Guidelines” • And as described in your protocol

27. Inhalant Anesthesia Use • Use anesthetics only as described in the protocol. • Gas anesthetic vaporizers should be calibrated at least every 2 years. • See policy at www.iacuc.pitt.edu. • Use a chemical fume hood or other means to scavenge gas anesthetic agents appropriately.

28. Documenting Procedures Blue Procedure Cards Research Records Dates, procedures, observations, initials http://www.bedfordlabs.com/BedfordLabsWeb/products

29. Animal Health Issues? • Post-procedure complications. What do you do? • What do you do with a sick animal on the weekend? • Do you know the point at which the animal should be euthanized? What does the protocol state? • Remember: ALL clinical care of animals MUST be coordinated through the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR). • Can you name a University Veterinarian or Vet Technician?

30. Clinical Records for Warm-blooded Species Other Than Rodents • Each animal must have an individual clinical record • A post-procedure form (http://www.iacuc.pitt.edu) must be completed for every procedure done on the animal, as well as for euthanasia. • For animals other than rodents, vital signs must be recorded at least every 15 minutes during surgery (including non-survival surgeries) on an anesthetic monitoring form (http://www.iacuc.pitt.edu )

31. Clinical Records for Warm-blooded Species Other Than Rodents Completed clinical records must be turned in to DLAR Veterinary Services • Active clinical records must be maintained in the animal housing room or procedure area • All drugs administered to an animal must be entered into its clinical record

32. Writing Legibly

33. DRUGS • Only use those drugs listed in the protocol • Other drugs that may be needed for clinical care must be under the direction of a veterinarian • Do you have a system for identifying and disposing of expired drugs? • Controlled substances will be audited. • Know the DEA laws!!

34. Monitoring for Expired Drugs, Fluids & Materials http://medrepexpress.com http://www.patientpowernow.org/wp-content/uploads.jpg

35. Labeling Secondary Containers

36. Sharps Safety

37. Chemicals • All chemical containers must be labeled • See “IACUC Policy on Secondary Labeling” • An expiration date must be on the label of all drug containers • Keep chemicals away from human or animal food items

38. Garbing Properly http://www.inmagine.com/searchterms/surgical_gloves.html http://www.mdp-miami.com/catalog/images/masksnmore

39. Occupational Health and Safety • All animal users MUST be enrolled in the Animal Exposure Surveillance Program (AESP) • Physical Issues: • Do not recap needles- see EHS policy • Bite wounds- do you know what to do? • See animal related injury guidelines • Personal Protective Equipment- do you know what is required?

40. Certifications • Gas anesthetic vaporizers and anesthetic machines must be maintained and certified at least every two years • Fume hoods and Biological Safety Cabinets must be certified annually

41. Animal transport • Use only Approved transport routes • No public elevators • Use only DLAR approved transport devices

42. Visitors Policy • Visitors to your lab need to obtain permission from the DLAR Clinical Director prior to their visit. To initiate permission to have a visitor, contact the DLAR at 412-648-8950.

43. Animal Housing • According to the “Guide”, no overcrowding is permitted • Review size requirements listed in the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” for proper caging. • Delayed or incomplete weaning is the most common cause of overcrowded conditions • Identification • Cage cards must be visible and information completed • Animals must be identified • No housing of animals outside of the designated animal facility space is permitted unless approved by the IACUC

44. Euthanasia AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia - 2013 https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.p • What methods do you use to ensure death? • Your euthanasia procedure must be performed as written in your University of Pittsburgh protocol • Physical methods of euthanasia require specialized training and justification • Use of a guillotine for euthanasia requires that it be properly maintained.

45. University of Pittsburgh Policies • Designed to help users and the University of Pittsburgh to maintain a program consistent with the “Guide for the Care and Use of Animals” • Posted on the University of Pittsburgh IACUC website, www.iacuc.pitt.edu • If you need clarification or assistance, contact the IACUC office at 412-383-2008

46. Animal Welfare or Compliance Concerns What can you do? https://www.iacuc.pitt.edu/about/report-concerns

47. Animal Care Acronyms to Know • AAALAC-Int.-Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care-International • IACUC-Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee • USDA-United States Department of Agriculture • AWA-Animal Welfare Act • OLAW-Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare AALAS-American Association of Laboratory Animal Science

48. The Information Super Highway www.dlar.pitt.edu http://cme.hs.pitt.edu www.iacuc.pitt.edu www.ibc.pitt.edu www.rcco.pitt.edu www.ehs.pitt.edu www.AAALAC.org

49. Please contact us if you have any questions IACUC Office 412-383-2008 IACUC@pitt.edu DLAR Main Office 412-648-8950 DLAR@pitt.edu