How does the IACUC distinguish between significant and minor deficiencies?
PHS Policy requires the IACUC to make this distinction in its semiannual reports to the Institutional Official. A significant deficiency is defined as one which is or may be a threat to the health or safety of animals. Examples include inoperable HVAC, electrical or watering systems, failure of such systems sufficient to affect critical housing and operational areas, and situations such as natural disasters that cause injury, death, or severe distress to animals. Significant program deficiencies can result from an institution’s failure to fully understand or implement some aspect of its animal care and use program required by the PHS Policy, or failure to function according to commitments made in its Assurance, and may reach the level of reportable noncompliance. Generally, a minor deficiency refers to a problem for which an immediate solution is not necessary to protect life or prevent distress (e.g., peeling or chipped paint). Ongoing inattention to a minor deficiency may result in a
Related Questions
- Could you provide examples of "significant" and "minor" deficiencies and suggest appropriate methods for reporting them in the Institutional Semiannual and Annual Reports?
- Did the inspector demonstrate the ability to distinguish between significant versus insignificant observations and isolated incidents versus trends?
- How does the IACUC distinguish between significant and minor deficiencies?