Continuing Protocol Review

All “for cause” protocols will receive highest priority and will be subject to CPR. The “for cause” protocols are those for which there is a report of abuse/violation, a prior un-corrected deficiency, a continuing protocol deviation, or a failure to attend semiannual inspections.

For all other protocols, a randomized sample will be selected for CPR. Within a review period, protocols will be randomly selected for CPR such that the majority will come from a high priority group, the remaining from medium and average priority groups. The protocols will be assigned to these groups as follows:

• High priority: All pain category E; USDA covered species in pain category D; other species in pain category D that include multiple major survival surgeries or major survival surgeries in investigator’s laboratories; and prolonged restraint.
• Medium priority: USDA covered species in pain categories B or C; minor survival or major non-survival surgeries in investigator’s laboratories; or major survival surgeries in all other facilities.
• Average priority: Pain categories C and B; or those not included in the other two groups.

Exceptions will be made for protocols chosen through the random number generator that: i) have no animals in house, or ii) those protocols for which a third-year re-write has been submitted to the IACUC, but the re-write has not yet been approved.
 

• The PI will receive an informational e-mail indicating that their protocol has been selected; key questions to consider about the protocol and the logic for the selection will be included in this e-mail.
• The PI will receive a follow up e-mail to schedule the CPR visit and/or discuss the protocol and research being conducted (this will include a discussion of what is working, not working, and what changes have been made during the course of the study due to unforeseen problems).
• The CPR liaison will be available to help with amendments as necessary.
• A meeting will be scheduled by the CPR liaison to observe procedures.
• The PI will have input as to what format the visit will take in order to be least intrusive to the ongoing research.
• List of Key Questions (pdf, 1pg)

• The CPR liaison will watch the procedures in the format as determined through mutual agreement with PI and CPR personnel.
• A time will be scheduled for questions or comments after the procedures have been completed to ensure accurate observations by the CPR liaison.
• The PI, or a designated lab member, will be notified of any protocol deviations or necessary updates to procedures; the CPR liaison is available to help with amendments.
• CPR Checklist (pdf, 2pgs)

• The PI will receive a report of findings that includes a list of any necessary follow up actions.
• The PI will receive a phone call to set a date and time to help with follow up actions if necessary.
• All findings of noncompliance will be submitted to the IACUC noncompliance subcommittee for review.
• A monthly report of scheduled, ongoing, and completed CPR's will be presented to the IACUC.