Policy - Semi-Annual Inspection Information
Kansas State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Semi-Annual Inspections
The IACUC is federally mandated to inspect semi-annually all animal facilities, investigator laboratories where animal procedures are conducted, and satellite facilities. The IACUC's intent is for the inspections to serve a dual purpose of meeting federal requirements, such as those set by the National Institutes of Health (Public Health Service on Human Care and Use of Laboratory Animals) as well as those set by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (The Guide). In addition, the semi-annual inspections fulfill a condition of Kansas State University’s Animal Welfare Assurance on file with the Office for Protection from Research Risks, and USDA Animal Welfare Regulations, 9 CFR Chapter I, subchapter A.
Each of the afore mentioned regulatory bodies carry its own requirements for IACUC semi-annual inspections:
PHS Policy :
▪ Review at least once every six months the institution’s program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation
▪ Inspect at least once every six months all of the institution’s animal facilities (including satellite facilities) using the Guide as a basis for evaluation
▪ Prepare reports of the IACUC evaluations conducted, and submit the reports to the Institutional Official. The reports shall be updated at least once every six months upon completion of the required semi-annual inspections and shall be maintained by the institution and made available to the Office of Lab Animal Welfare upon request. The reports must contain a description of the nature and extent of the institution’s adherence to the Guide and this Policy and must identify specifically any departures from the provisions of the Guide and this Policy, and must state the reasons for each departure. The reports must distinguish significant deficiencies form minor deficiencies. If program or facility deficiencies are noted, the reports must contain a reasonable and specific plan and schedule for correcting each deficiency.
The Guide Policy :
▪ Review the animal-care program and inspect the animal facilities and activity areas at least once every six months. After review and inspection, a written report, signed by a majority of the IACUC, should be made to the responsible administrative officials of the institution of the status of the animal care and use program and other activities as stated here in and as required by federal, state, or local regulations and policies.
The Animal Welfare Act:
▪ Review all practices involving pain to animals and the condition of animals, to ensure compliance with the provsisions of the Act to minimize pain and distress to animals. Exceptions to the requirement of inspection of such study areas may be made if animals are studied in their natural environment and the study area is prohibitive to easy access.
▪ The Committee shall file an inspection report of each inspection at the research facility and should:
▫ Be signed by a majority of the Committee members involved in the inspection
▫ Include reports of any violation of the standards promulgated, or assurances required, including any deficient conditions of animal care or treatment, any deviations of research practices from originally approved proposals that adversely affect animal welfare, any notification to the facility regarding such conditions and any corrections made thereafter
▫ Include any minority views of the Committee
▪ Such report shall remain on file for at least three years at the research facility and shall be available for inspection by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and any funding Federal agency.
The KSU IACUC is guided by these requirements and uses the checklist from the Public Health Service (PHS), which outlines specific features of an animal facility or lab to inspect, and questions to ask the researcher regarding their use of animals and specific documentation kept. Our Assurance with the PHS states that we will follow these guidelines and recommendations for IACUC semi-annual inspections, the results of which are supplied to the Public Health Service as well as the Institutional Official of Kansas State University.
Semi-annual inspections are done in October and April. A subcommittee of the IACUC (consisting of 2 or more members) will conduct the inspections, decide if any deficiencies are present, and will discuss the findings with the full IACUC committee. Letters are then sent to departmental IACUC contacts informing them of the results of the inspections. If any deficiencies were found, a timeline is given for the departmental contact and/or Principal Investigator to respond to the IACUC explaining their plan for correcting the deficiency. The corrective measures described are then discussed with the IACUC for approval.
Before every IACUC semi-annual inspection, the University Research Compliance Office (URCO) will call or email all departmental contacts and Agricultural Unit Managers to inform them of the upcoming inspections and to decide on a convenient date and time. It is preferred that Principal Investigators or Lab/Agricultural Unit Managers be present during the time of inspection so that any questions posed by IACUC members can be answered and clarifications provided.
Links for more information:
1. http://awic.nal.usda.gov/research-animals/institutional-animal-care-and-use-committees