91×ÔÅÄ

A routine inspection of the 91×ÔÅÄ’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 outlines them in detail. The (IACUC) continues to work with all 91×ÔÅÄers and facility staff to emphasize the importance of compliance with regulatory requirements and continually evaluates procedures and processes to prevent future incidents.

Key Findings:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 91×ÔÅÄ ethics. We take these findings seriously and are actively working to enhance our protocols and training programs.

ACO3Rs Program:
As part of the UW’s commitment to ethical 91×ÔÅÄ practices, the UW champions the principles of the Animal Care, Outreach, and 3Rs Program (ACO3Rs). This program focuses on the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement in animal 91×ÔÅÄ. For more information about these initiatives and commitment to animal welfare, please visit the ACO3Rs website.

Conclusion:
The UW appreciates the USDA’s oversight and guidance to the animal 91×ÔÅÄ conducted on campus. The welfare of our 91×ÔÅÄ animals is of utmost importance, and we are committed to openness and continuous improvement in our practices.

Contact Victor Balta at balta@uw.edu.