Lessons Learned from Fall 2020 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

October 7, 2020

Graph showing common deficiency areas identified during Fall 2020 semi-annual facility inspectionsThe Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-September.

These inspections are one of the most important tools we have for assessing our programmatic strengths and areas for individual and collective improvement(s) in service to the animals under our care.

As such, we hope that you will take a few minutes to review these latest findings along with our suggestions for improvement. Please also share and discuss this information with your staff, including any students involved with research in your laboratory.

Common Deficiency Areas** Identified During Fall 2020 Inspections:


OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY (37%)

Examples:

  • Eyewash stations not flushed monthly

  • Outdated or overfilled sharps containers
    were noted

  • Anesthesia machines were not
    properly maintained

  • Compressed gas cylinders were not
    properly stored or maintained

  • Unsanitizable items (e.g., cloth chairs,
    unsealed wood) were being used

Suggestions for Improvement:

 


ANIMAL HUSBANDRY – PI/LAB & ULAM SPACES (32%)

Examples:

  • Lack of maintenance for shears and guillotines

  • Sanitation practices for all laboratory equipment
    that comes into direct contact with animals were
    not established and/or equipment was soiled

  • Expired cleaners were found

  • Laboratories were found to be cluttered

Suggestions for Improvement:

 


VETERINARY CARE (15%)

Examples:

  • Post-operative monitoring sheets
    not available or incomplete

  • Materials and substances not labeled

  • Expired materials/drugs found

Suggestions for Improvement:

 


IACUC – PROTOCOL CHANGES & CLARIFICATIONS (9%)

Examples:

  • Locations needed to be updated on protocols

Suggestions for Improvement:

  • Amend protocols when use locations have changed

 


PHYSICAL PLANT & MAINTENANCE (7%)

Examples:

  • Walls, floors, ceilings, and/or doors were damaged and in need of repair

Suggestions for Improvement:

  • Work with your ULAM Husbandry Supervisor and/or Plant Operations staff to address any service or facility repairs
    in a timely manner


**Percentages above represent the number of overall deficient findings in a given area (e.g., Occupational Health & Safety – 37% denotes that,
of the total findings identified during Fall 2020 IACUC semi-annual facility inspections, 37% were related to occupational health and safety).


Failure to follow proper policies and procedures, even those that may seem relatively small or insignificant, puts individual and animal safety at risk and could lead to serious citations for the entire University. Remember, maintaining a safe and secure environment for our animals and our research personnel is paramount to the integrity and success of our research.

Questions or concerns about semi-annual IACUC facility inspections, or any of the items outlined above, should be directed to the Animal Care & Use Office at acuoffice@umich.edu or (734) 763-8028.

We thank you for your diligence and attention to these important matters.