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The Best of Intentions (or Why Bother with an MOU?)

Discover the importance of formal written understandings and the role of MOU in ensuring effective communication, avoiding confusion, and promoting compliance with regulatory requirements in animal research collaborations.

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The Best of Intentions (or Why Bother with an MOU?)

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  1. The Best of Intentions(or Why Bother with an MOU?) AALAS 2014 National Meeting 21 October 2014 AVAVMO/VMU Supervisors’ Luncheon Alice Huang, PhD, CPIA Office of the CVMO, Deputy for IACUC Guidance

  2. The Story… (Will be posted on the VA Animal Research web page, along with this PowerPoint presentation)

  3. Cast of Characters • Dr. Newby, assistant prof at Great Big U • Joe, GBU Animal Care Technician • The Dean of Research at GBU • Dr. Fresch, Hometown VAMC investigator • Becky, Hometown VAMC VMU Technician • The Hometown VAMC Director • An eager young reporter

  4. Everyone had the best of intentions…So what went wrong?

  5. Murphy’s Law at Work • Incorrect Assumptions • Inadequate Communication • Confusion about the Role(s) of the IACUC

  6. The Guide (p. 15)“Interinstitutionalcollaboration has the potential to create ambiguities about responsibility for animal care and use. In cases of such collaboration involving animal use (beyond animal transport), the participating institutions should have a formal written understanding (e.g., a contract, memorandum of understanding, or agreement) that addresses the responsibility for offsite animal care and use, animal ownership, and IACUC review and oversight (AAALAC 2003).”

  7. 1200.07 (8.b) and 1200.01 (14.c(2))VA policy allows a VAMC to arrange for an affiliate’s IACUC to serve as the VAMC’s IACUC of Record, but requires this arrangement to be established through a MOU. 1058.01 (8.g(2)) requires that ORO be notified of “the implementation of any new MOU, or any substantive change in an existing MOU”.

  8. What good is a MOU? • Protects both parties, while … • Minimizing gaps in, or duplication of, efforts, and also … • Ensuring appropriate oversight and compliance with regulatory requirements

  9. What Do We Need in the MOU for It to Work? • Specify who will do what • Identify what rules will be followed • Establish what to communicate, and how

  10. What are the Rules? • USDA • PHS • AAALAC • VA Policy • Affiliate Policy • MOU

  11. Who Will Do What • The research staff • The animal care/veterinary staff • The IACUCs • The institutions

  12. Ensuring Communication • Points of contact • Routine sharing of info • Handling requests for info • Redaction

  13. The New Story (with MOU)… • Responsibilities were clear • Rules were defined • Communication lines were open and active

  14. Good Intentions are not Enough … You Need an MOU!

  15. That’s All! http://how2becool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/0922-pf-2.jpg

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