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Research Animals
I. Review and Approval
A. Before any research animal is evaluated in a human healthcare facility,
the principal investigator should submit a detailed protocol that is
reviewed and approved by the facility's responsible individuals or
committees including the following:
1. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
2. Radiation safety committee (if procedures utilize radiation or radioisotopes),
IPC department, and the involved clinical departments (radiolog y, surgical
services, etc.).
B. External advice should be sought as necessary to ensure that there is
adequate expertise to identify risks and develop preventive measures.
C. The review and approval process should be supervised and monitored
by a responsible entity, such as the institutional Comparative Medicine
Department or Infection Control Department. In some circumstances,
animals with active or uncontrolled infections may need to be
specifically excluded from entering the facility (eg, open/draining
wounds, diarrheal illness).
1. In addition to approving proposed procedures involving animals, the detailed
protocol should address all relevant issues, including the following :
a. When the procedure may be performed
b. Where the procedure is to be performed
c. What personnel will be involved
d. What personal protective equipment is required
e. What cleaning and disinfection practices will be required
f. What route(s) will be used to transport animals to and from the clinical area
g. Who is responsible for transporting the animal to the procedure area
h. Who is responsible for care and maintenance of the animal
II. Scheduling
A. After a protocol is approved, the investigator should work with the
appropriate clinical area to schedule procedures to minimize the
potential for animal contact with patients or the public.
B. Procedures on animals should be scheduled after normal clinical
hours (ie, nights, weekends, and holidays) at a time when facilities and
equipment are not being utilized for patient care.
C. The researcher must remain sensitive to the vagaries of clinical
practice and must understand that clinical situations may arise that
preclude the use of facilities for research animals even though the
animal procedure had been scheduled.
D. Effective communication between the researcher and the clinical area
manager is crucial.
