A routine inspection of the University of Washington’s animal care and use program conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on Oct. 8 identified issues that the UW had self-reported and corrected before the inspection took place. The inspection report outlines them in detail. The UW’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) continues to work with all researchers and facility staff to emphasize the importance of compliance with regulatory requirements and continually evaluates procedures and processes to prevent future incidents.
Key Findings:
- Protocol Noncompliance: (1) Radiation Toxicity Incident: An adult male macaque underwent videofluoroscopy more frequently than outlined in the approved protocol and experienced symptoms consistent with radiation toxicity. This incident was self-reported, and the university has since taken corrective actions to ensure compliance with IACUC protocols. (2) Analgesia Administration: The report noted instances where systemic analgesia was not provided following surgical procedures on macaques. These instances were also self-identified, and the university has reinforced staff training, implemented ongoing oversight, and continued personnel management efforts to ensure adherence to established guidelines and prevent recurrence.
- Personnel Qualifications: Two macaques were found outside their enclosures within the vivarium, leading to injuries in four animals, three of which required sedation for medical treatment. This incident was self-reported. All staff have undergone retraining, and new job aids have been created to ensure enclosures are properly secured.
- Indoor Housing Facilities: Concerns were raised regarding continuous light exposure in a small number of animal rooms due to a programming error in the automatic light schedule and a failure of the alarm system. The university proactively addressed this issue before the inspection, implementing measures to maintain proper diurnal lighting cycles for the health and well-being of the animals.
Commitment to Improvement:
The UW is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of animal care and research ethics. We take these findings seriously and are actively working to enhance our protocols and training programs.
ACO3Rs Program:
