Date adopted: October 4, 2005

Last Review Date: September 11, 2020

I.  Policy

The Public Health Service [(PHS), PHS policy IV.B.1-8] and the United States Department of Agriculture [(USDA), Title 9, chapter 1, subchapter A-Animal Welfare] mandate that the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review the institutional program for the humane care and use of animals and inspect the physical facilities, including satellite facilities, study areas, and areas where surgical manipulations are performed, at least once every 6 months. The PHS and USDA policies require the use of The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and title 9, chapter 1, subchapter A-Animal Welfare, respectively, as standards for evaluation.

A report of the findings of semiannual IACUC program reviews and facility inspections must be reviewed and approved, minority opinions noted, and a reasonable and specific plan and schedule for correction of deficiencies established by the IACUC. A copy of the final reports must be provided to the Institutional Official.

II.  Procedure

1. Responsibility

1.  It is the responsibility of the IACUC to conduct semiannual program reviews and 
     inspections.

2.  It is the responsibility of the IACUC to design a reasonable and specific plan and
     schedule for correction of deficiencies and to include this information in the
     report to the IO.

3.  It is the responsibility of the IACUC to assure that deficiency corrections occur
     within the scheduled plan.

B.  Deficiency Categorization

1.  All deficiencies noted will be categorized as either minor or significant.

2.  Significant deficiencies are situations that are or may be a threat to animal health
     or safety.

C.  Correction Plan

1.  The IACUC will consult with the IACUC Coordinator, AV, animal facility manager,
     and other involved parties in setting reasonable and specific plans for corrections
     of all deficiencies.

2.  Significant deficiencies should be corrected as soon as possible, ideally within 30
     days of the report to the IO.

3.  Minor deficiencies, in most circumstances, should be corrected within 1-6 months
     of the report to the IO.

4.  Correction deadlines that extend beyond 30 days of the report to the IO should
     be documented in the corrections plan and justified in the report to the IO.

D.  Reporting

1.  The IACUC, through the IO, must promptly report to the Office of Laboratory
     Animal Welfare (OLAW) any serious or continuing noncompliance with the PHS
     Policy or any serious deviation from the provisions of the Guide.

2.  The IACUC Coordinator will monitor the progress of deficiency corrections and
     report this information to the IACUC on a monthly basis until all deficiencies have
     been corrected.

3.  If the institution cannot meet the scheduled deadlines for deficiency corrections,
     the USDA (APHIS) and any federal funding agency supporting the activity must be
     notified by the IACUC, through the IO, within 15 business days of the lapsed
     deadline.