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A Word from OLAW and USDA

Lab Animal volume 51, page 125 (2022)Cite this article

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In this scenario, the IACUC approves two very similar protocols by the same lab to be conducted on swine but with different anesthetic regimens. A lab staff member mistakenly uses an anesthetic not approved for the intended research.

The question of whether this incident of mistaken use of an anesthetic requires reporting to OLAW can best be answered by a phone call or email to OLAW. Even though the anesthetic used was appropriate for a similar IACUC-approved study and the animals recovered without incident, the incident constitutes protocol noncompliance and is reportable1. At issue is that the IACUC did not review and approve the anesthetic choice for the specific animal activity and its associated aims. In addition, there was a lack of understanding by all lab staff of what the IACUC approved. OLAW receives many reports of these deviation types every year. An approach that would remedy future recurrences is for the IACUC to have an approved list of anesthetic regimens developed with veterinary input that can be referenced in such protocols.

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References

  1. National Institutes of Health, Office of Extramural Research. Guidance on Prompt Reporting to OLAW under the PHS Policy on Human Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Notice NOT-OD-05-034, 2005. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-od-05-034.html

  2. Animal Welfare Regulations 9 CFR § 2.31(d)(8).

  3. Animal Welfare Regulations 9 CFR § 2.31(e)(3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Director, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, OER, OD, NIH, HHS, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Patricia Brown

  2. Deputy Administrator, Animal Care, APHIS, USDA, Riverdale, MD, USA

    Betty Goldentyer

Authors
  1. Patricia Brown
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  2. Betty Goldentyer
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Correspondence to Patricia Brown or Betty Goldentyer.

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Brown, P., Goldentyer, B. A Word from OLAW and USDA. Lab Anim 51, 125 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-022-00964-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-022-00964-7

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