Semi-Annual IACUC Inspections

What Should I Expect During the Inspection of my Lab?

Inspectors will arrive at the animal use location within the time block scheduled for the inspection. Time blocks are generally 2-3 hours (IE 9-11 am or noon), and several labs within the same building or area are usually scheduled during that time block, so you may not see the inspectors right at the earliest time. We appreciate that having to wait can be an inconvenience, and are grateful for your patience.

One or more IACUC members and AWP staff may be present, along with additional inspectors or observers.

Inspectors will observe the animal use location and will ask questions of the personnel present. Principal Investigators are asked to ensure that at least one senior lab member who is both knowledgeable about and is listed on all the animal protocols is present in the animal use location before the inspection begins (Inspectors may have difficulty locating personnel if they are in offices or other work spaces, which delays the inspection).

Do not worry about planning procedures to avoid work during inspections - inspectors are interested in seeing the lab "in action," and seeing the procedures done in real-time. Seeing the procedure helps give a better picture of the effectiveness of lab SOPs and training.

Inspectors are required to complete an IACUC Facility Inspection Form during the inspection period and use a checklist as reference. The AWP office sends out this checklist periodically to help labs prepare for inspections, however a lab used for live animal work should always be "inspection-ready."

Inspectors will ask to see any equipment, drugs, cleaning supplies, procedure materials, etc, that may come into contact with animals (or used to clean animal areas) and will check, as applicable, expiration dates, sterility, safety, cleanliness

Items that are commonly overlooked by the research staff when preparing for inspection are as follows. Inspectors may ask to see them during the inspection itself, or the AWP office may follow up at another date:

• Access to animal protocols Inspectors may ask that the lab member to log into Cayuse and show that they can view the protocol document. Remember that all protocol participants must have access to these documents in Cayuse.
• Emergency, weekend, and holiday care telephone contact numbers: These telephone numbers should be posted in a high traffic, easily visible area, such as the near the lab door, inside the lab. A form that can be completed and taped to the door/wall is available.
  • If animals are held for more than 24 hours, you must also post UAC emergency contact information as provided weekly.
• Allergen warning sign: This should be posted on the outside of each door leading into a laboratory space that has rodents or their unfixed tissues present. This includes shared spaces.
• Animal husbandry SOPs and care logs (if the animals are housed for more than 24 hours): The inspectors will look to see if printed copies of animal husbandry Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and completed animal care logs are available in the laboratory. Sample forms are available.
• Surgical, anesthesia, and analgesia records: If your animal protocol lists surgery, procedures using non-surgical anesthesia, or requires palliative therapy for non-surgical procedures, please ensure that surgery, anesthesia, and analgesia records are available for inspection. Sample forms are available.
• Drugs, including controlled substances: Inspectors may look at drugs listed on the protocol. Please ensure that keys to access controlled substances are available at the time of the inspection. This includes any keys required for access to offices or other rooms where the drugs are kept. Ensure that all expired drugs are labeled "not for animal use" or discarded or, in the case of controlled substances, clearly marked and kept secure and separate and from the non‑expired drugs.
• Expired medical materials (suture, needles, etc): Anything with an expiration date should be within that date. Use of expired medical materials without prior IACUC approval is considered non-compliance. This has been a common finding in past inspections. Review all labels and consider using an inventory system to track expiration dates. Inspectors will dispose of or label materials as expired. Labels are available.
• Equipment certification: Flow and exhaust hoods, isoflurane machines, waste gas collection, and other laboratory equipment requires regular maintenance, certification, and/or documentation. Ensure that your hood and isoflurane certification is up to date, waste gas systems are weighed and used according to manufacturer's recommendations, and safety equipment is regularly tested and certified. Any equipment used for animals with a certification or expiration date must be up to date.