IACUC Ongoing Training

Dr. W. Idlcat has a heavy surgical schedule and has time points they need to meet for their experimental needs. On a busy surgery day, Dr. Idlcat also needs to collect tissue samples post procedure per the approved protocol. To help save time walking back and forth between animal housing locations, they decide to perform procedures and collect tissues in a lab space that is not approved for animal use. Is this allowed as the lab is on a time crunch?  

A. Yes 

B. No 

Dr. W. Idlcat has a heavy surgical schedule and has time points they need to meet for their experimental needs. On a busy surgery day, Dr. Idlcat also needs to collect tissue samples post procedure per the approved protocol. To help save time walking back and forth between animal housing locations, they decide to perform procedures and collect tissues in a lab space that is not approved for animal use. Is this allowed as the lab is on a time crunch?  

A. Yes 

B. No 

Learner Feedback: The correct answer is B. Do not conduct live animal work in a space until approved in the protocol and set up accordingly for live animal use. Live animal procedures, which includes non-survival procedures, must never be conducted in an unapproved space. The IACUC policy ‘Working with Animals in Laboratory Spaces’ details the Northwestern University IACUC policy on working with animals in laboratory spaces.  A recommendation may be for the lab to create a time management plan thus accomplishing their experimental goals within their approved space. If the lab would like a new space added to their protocol, it needs to be scientifically justified as to why it cannot occur within the facility. To start this process for approval, the lab may submit an amendment to update the Animal Use 3.0 section of the associated animal study protocol.