This paper was originally presented at the 1998 Laboratory Animal
Welfare Training Exchange conference held in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Animal Welfare Act mandates that each research facility shall
provide for the training of scientists, animal technicians, and
other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in the
facility.
Title 9 - Code of Federal Regulations - Chapter 1, Subchapter
A - Animal Welfare §2.32 gives specific requirements for
training as follows:
(1) Humane methods of animal maintenance and experimentation,
including:
(i) The basic needs of each species of animal;
(ii) Proper handling and care for the various species of animals
used by the facility.
(iii) Proper pre-procedural and post-procedural care of animals;
and
(iv) Aseptic surgical methods and procedures.
(2) The concept, availability, and use of research or testing
methods that limit the use of animals or minimize animal distress.
(3) Proper use of anesthetics, analgesics, and tranquilizers
for any species of animals used by the facility.
(4) Methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and treatment
are reported, including deficiencies in animal care and treatment
reported by any employee of the facility. No facility employee,
committee member, or laboratory personnel shall be discriminated
against or be subject to any reprisal for reporting violations
of any regulation or standards under the Act,
(5) Utilization of Services (e.g., National Agricultural Library,
National Library of Medicine) available to provide information;
(i)On appropriate methods of animal care and use;
(ii) On alternatives to the use of live animals in research;
(iii) That could prevent unintended and unnecessary duplication
of research involving animals; and
(iv) Regarding the intent and regulation of the Act.
The IACUC of each research facility is charged with the responsibility
of reviewing on a semi- annual basis the research facility's
entire program for humane care and use of animals. A vital component
of every program is the training of all personnel involved in
animal care, treatment, and use.
The IACUC must determine that all personnel conducting procedures
on animals being maintained or studied are appropriately qualified
and trained in those procedures.
The USDA veterinary medical officer, when inspecting a research
facility, has the challenging task of evaluating the facility's
overall training program.
This evaluation process should involve asking the following questions:
A responsible training program should be in place at each research
facility. Each training program may vary from one facility to
another depending on the type of research being conducted and
the needs of the facility. When a VMO reviews a training program,
professional judgment is critical.
Documentation is important, but the "results" of a
training program are the primary consideration.
Adsit, K.I., S.P. Tomasovic, A.J. Mastromarino, and K.N. Gray
(1990). Evaluation of the effectiveness of an animal care
and use training program. Lab Animal 19(4): 50, 52-54.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L33
Descriptors: University of Texas, training modules, training
program assessment.
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
(1991). Training Manual Series, Volume III Laboratory Animal
Technologist. Cordova, Tennessee: AALAS.
NAL call number: SF77 L26
Abstract: One of a series of manuals produced by AALAS to
assist animal care personnel in obtaining certification at various
levels of competence. Topics covered in this volume include"
functions of management, identifying and controlling costs, regulations
and security, scientific fundamentals in laboratory animal science,
breeding and husbandry, laboratory animal environment, animal
health, and research techniques, other manuals are available
from AALAS through their website at http://www.aalas.org
Anderson, L.C. and M.J. Brown (1990). Training of animal
care and use personnel: principles and program implementation.
In Anesthesia and analgesia in laboratory animals proceedings
-- 1990 Forum, American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine,
Columbia Inn, Columbia, Maryland, May 3-6, 1990. [Columbia,
Md. : American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, pp. 113-115.
NAL call number: SF914 A53 1990
Descriptors: training, technicians, animal husbandry.
Bennett, B.T., M.J. Brown, and J.C. Schofield (1990). Essentials
for animal research. A primer for research personnel.
Beltsville, Maryland: Animal Welfare Information Center, 126
p.
The full text document is available at http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/noawicpubs/essentia.htm
NAL call number: aQL55 B36 1994
Descriptors: regulations, animal welfare, aseptic surgery, anesthesia,
alternatives, animal care as an experimental variable, euthanasia,
laboratory animals, techniques.
bin Zakaria, M., N.W. Lerche, B.B. Chomel, and P.H. Kass (1996).
Accidental injuries associated with nonhuman primate exposure
at two regional primate research centers (USA): 1988-1993.
Laboratory Animal Science 46(3): 298-304.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Abstract: Although occupationally acquired zoonoses of nonhuman
primates have been well documented, the epidemiology of work-related
injuries associated with occupational exposure to nonhuman primates
has not been studied. To investigate such injuries, we retrospectively
reviewed injury records at one regional primate research center
and distributed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire
to at-risk personnel at two centers. Records of bite, animal-inflicted
scratch, needle stick, cut, and mucous membrane exposure injuries
were reviewed at one center for the 5-year period 1988 to 1993
to determine incidence and frequency of injuries and to identify
possible risk factors. A total of 261 injuries were reported
during this period, with an annual incidence for all injuries
combined ranging from 43.5 to 65.5 injuries per 100,000 person
workdays (pwd) at risk. For specific injuries the highest incidence
was observed for animal-inflicted scratches and bites, with a
rate of 82 and 81 per 100,000 pwd respectively. The job category
Veterinary Resident was found to have the highest incidence for
needle stick injuries (547 per 100,000 pwd), scratches (239 per
100,000 pwd), and cuts (171 per 100,000 pwd). The highest rates
for bites were observed in the job categories Animal Health Technician
and Animal Technician, with 171 and 150 per 100,000 pwd respectively;
the category Staff Veterinarian had the highest rate of mucous
membrane exposures (71 per 100,000 pwd). The frequency of all
injuries was greatest in personnel employed < or = 2 years.
Questionnaire responses indicated that having > 20 h per week
of contact with nonhuman primates or contact with more than 50
nonhuman primates per week was associated with a significantly
increased risk of bites, animal-inflicted scratches, needle sticks,
and mucous membrane exposures. In addition, data analysis indicated
that under-reporting of work-related injuries was high; 59% of
scratches, 50% of mucous membrane exposures, 45% of cuts, 37%
of bites, and 20% of needle stick injuries went unreported. Results
of this study identify job categories with a high incidence of
specific injuries, for which additional targeted training and
prevention programs may be beneficial, as well as providing quantitative
baseline data for evaluating the effectiveness of any new safety
programs or practices.
Descriptors: accidents, occupational statistics and numerical
data, housing, animal statistics and numerical data, occupational
diseases, epidemiology, primates wounds, bites, animal technicians,
laboratory personnel, needle stick injuries epidemiology, primate
diseases transmission, primates microbiology, retrospective-studies,
risk-factors, zoonoses.
Bowd, A.D. (1998). Animal care courses: Helping fulfill
the mandate of animal care committees in Canada. Journal
of Applied Animal Welfare Science 1(4): 353-360.
NAL call number: HV4701 J68
Descriptors: ethics, alternatives, humane animal use, organization
of animal care courses, training investigators, students, and
IACUC members, topics covered include: regulations and legislation,
ethical issues, alternatives, animal welfare, animal care, zoonoses
and biohazards, animal surgery and euthanasia, practical handling
of animals, improving statistical power, wildlife issues, case
studies, teaching methods.
Duffee, N. (1999). Alternative Training Methods I: Proceedings
of the 1998 LAWTE Meeting. Lab Animal 28(5): 24.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L33
Abstract: The author discusses alternative training methods presented
at the 1998 meeting of the Laboratory Animal Welfare Training
Exchange.
Descriptors: USDA training requirements, finding alternative
training methods, simulation models, venipuncture, endotracheal
intubation, surgical techniques, computer media, virtual reality,
developing training programs.
Duffee, N. And M.T. Fallon (1998). Researcher training:
a new frontier. Lab Animal 27(8):32-36.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L33
Descriptors: computer-based training materials, videotape, self-assessment
web server, training researchers n animal care and use techniques,
endotracheal intubation, project status.
Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations
(FELASA) (1999). FELASA guidelines for education of specialists
in laboratory animal science (Category D). Laboratory
Animals 33(1): 1-15.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L3
Descriptors: category D corresponds to laboratory higher management,
veterinarians, facilty managers, etc., level of studies, specific
requirements necessary for category D, detailed description of
curriculum.
Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations
(FELASA) (1995). FELASA recommendations on the education and
training of persons working with laboratory animals: Categories
A and C. Laboratory Animals 29(2): 121-131.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L3
Descriptors: category A corresponds to laboratory animal technicians/technologists,
category C corresponds to study directors, levels of certification,
overview of duties and responsibilities at different levels,
animal care, animal husbandry, safety, legislation, responsibility
for defined tasks and procedures, teaching syllabus and objectives.
Green, R.J. (1997). Developing and implementing personnel
safety programs. II. Safety training and education in animal
research. Lab Animal 26(6): 27 -30.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L33
Descriptors: laboratory hazards, animal experiments, biosafety,
training, educational programs, laboratory workers.
Hutchison, J. (1989). Thoughts on educating community members
of animal care and use committees. In Science and Animals:
Addressing Contemporary Issues H.N. Guttman, J.A. Mench,
and R.C. Simmonds (eds.), Bethesda, Maryland: Scientists Center
for Animal Welfare, pp. 129-132.
NAL call number: HV4704 S33 1988
Descriptors: guidelines, public representation, educational programs.
Jennings, M. and P. Hawkins (1998). Developing the ethics
component of the U.K. modular training system for laboratory
animal scientists: A LASA workshop report. Animal Welfare
7(4): 445-458.
NAL call number: HV4701.A557
Abstract: This paper presents the report of a LASA workshop on
developing the ethics component of the UK modular training system
for laboratory animal scientists. The objectives were: (i) to
define and agree on the goals of ethics training; (ii) to set
out means of achieving these goals in terms of an appropriate
syllabus, effective approaches to training, and the resources
necessary; (iii) to define the audience-who should be trained
and to what level; and (iv) to consider the practicalities and
means of assessment of prospective licensees. Although the focus
was on the UK system, the issues are similar wherever ethics
is taught in the laboratory animal context.
Jones, S.A. and T.J. Sharpe (1994). An integrated training
programme to meet UK guidelines for staff at all levels working
with animals. In Welfare and science proceedings of the
Fifth Symposium of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal
Science Associations, 8-11 June 1993, Brighton, UK / Federation
of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations Symposium
London: Royal Society of Medicine Press, pp. 363-364.
NAL call number: QL55 F43 1993
Descriptors: laboratory workers, training, laboratory animals,
animal welfare, United Kingdom.
Maltby, C.J. (1989). Partnership in training--a winning
combination. Lab Animal 18(5): 38-39.
NAL call number: L55 A1L33
Descriptors: laboratory animals, research institutes, educational
programs.
National Academy of Sciences (1991). Education and Training
in the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: A Guide for Developing
Institutional Programs. Washington, D.C.: Institute of
Laboratory Animal Resources, 144 p.
NAL call number: SF604 E3
Abstract: The Committee on Education Programs in Laboratory Animal
Science (EPLAS) has prepared this guide to aid institutions in
implementing an education and training program that will meet
the expectations of the Public Health Service (PHS). This guide
was designed to fulfill several purposes. First, it is intended
to assist institutional officials and institutional animal care
and use committees (IACUCs) in determining the scope and depth
of education training programs that will meet both institutional
needs and the requirements of the PHS. Second, it is offered
as a reference for the person or committee assigned the responsibility
for coordinating these programs. Finally, portions of the guide
will be useful to those people (content experts) who develop
the material to be presented. To accommodate the diverse backgrounds
and needs of personnel, the committee has developed a multiphase
program. Those topics considered essential elements for all personnel
have been arranged into a single introductory module. The next
three modules cover specific species, pain-management, and surgery.
The next section of the guide contains detailed content outlines
of the subjects covered in the four modules. The material in
the modules is cross-referenced to appropriate subtopics in this
section. Information on the following topics is provided: (1)
laws, regulations, and policies that impact on the care and use
of animals; (2) ethical and scientific issues; (3) alternatives
to dissection; (4) responsibilities of the institution, the animal
care and use committee, and the research and veterinary staffs;
(5) pain and distress; (6) anesthetics, tranquilizers, analgesics,
and neuromuscular blocking agents; (7) survival surgery and postsurgical
care; (8) euthanasia; (9) husbandry, care, and the importance
of the environment; and (10) a species-specific overview. The
next section contains sources of information, selected bibliography,
and audiovisual materials. The last section provides information
on how to develop, deliver, and evaluate an educational program.
Principles for the utilization and care of vertebrate animals
used in testing, research, and training; a description of the
Animal Welfare Information Center; and samples of learning objectives
or self-assessment statements that coordinators may want to use
or adapt for use at their institutions are appended.
Descriptors: anesthesiology, animal caretakers, animal husbandry,
higher education, high schools, laboratory equipment, resource
materials, science education, surgery, animal facilities, laboratory
animals, research.
Scher, S. (1987). Technician training: Animal care and
use committees. Laboratory Animal Science 37(special
issue): 150-151.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: laboratory animal science, animal welfare, education.
Simmonds, R.C. (1987). Role
of animal care and use committees in investigator training.
Laboratory Animal Science 37(special issue): 152-154.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: laboratory animals, animal welfare, educational
programs.
Slack, G.N. (1996). A summary of industry developed educational
resources on food animal care and welfare. In Proceedings
One-Hundredth Annual Meeting of the United States Animal Health
Association, Excelsior Hotel, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, 12-18
October 1996, pp. 23-30.
NAL call number: 49.9 UN3R
Descriptors: livestock, education, resources, animal welfare,
animal husbandry.
Smith, J.A. and M. Jennings (1998). Ethics training for
laboratory animal users. Laboratory Animals 32(2):
128-136.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L3
Abstract: In the UK, all applicants for licences under the Animals
(Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 must receive training in ethical
aspects of laboratory animal use. There is, however, considerable
uncertainty about the aims, suitable content and most appropriate
means of delivery of such training. In this review a series of
aims for licensee training in ethics are proposed, the key content
is described and possible approaches to delivering such training
are critically evaluated. Ethics training, it is argued, should:
(i) be rooted in practice, focusing on the practical application
of the Act to licensees' own work and encouraging them to take
all possible steps to reduce or resolve any moral conflicts which
the work entails; (ii) promote discussion, encouraging licensees
to challenge their own views and critically appraise their work;
and (iii) provide the necessary theoretical background to inform
and stimulate such discussion. A variety of means of generating
discussion and a range of practical considerations are explored.
Descriptors: ethics, animal welfare, training, laboratory animals,
legislation, education, animal experiments.
Stark, D.M. (1989). The American veterinarians' role and
education in laboratory animal science. Animal Technology:
Journal of the Institute of Animal Technicians 40(3): 199-201.
NAL call number: QL55 I5
Descriptors: laboratory animals, training, animal husbandry,
ACUC.
Sutherland, D.L. and D.R. Russell (1996). Evolution of
a training program built on employee involvement. Lab
Animal 25(9): 41-43.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L33
Descriptors: developing a training program at a large pharmaceutical
facility, inclusion of veterinary care staff and training administrator
in development process, subject matter experts, development of
core modulese.g., husbandry and care, development of species
specific modulese.g., rat, mouse, rabbits, development of task
specific modulese.g., handling and restraint, development of
reference materials, teaching aids, curriculum, administration
support, communication techniques within house to advertise the
program, participant recognition program.
Thomas, W.E., P.W. Lee, G.T. Sunderland, and R.P. Day (1996).
A preliminary evaluation of an innovative synthetic soft tissue
simulation module ('Skilltray') for use in basic surgical skills
workshops. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of
England 78(6 Suppl): 268-71.
Abstract: The results of a preliminary evaluation comparing the
relative merits of biological (freshly-prepared animal offal
tissue) and synthetic (Skilltray) simulation modalities are presented,
subsequent to their use during two basic surgical skills courses
organised by The Royal College of Surgeons of England and The
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in September
1995, and at which 18 SHO grade surgical trainees attended. Each
trainee completed a questionnaire at the end of the first session
on the second day of the course to assist the evaluation. Our
conclusions were as follows: 1. The synthetic tissues evaluated
provided a useful and functionally reproducible means for learning
the basic exercises included in the mandatory skills course.
2. Freshly-prepared animal tissues undoubtedly provided a more
"realistic' medium for rehearsing the basic surgical techniques
taught. Trainees preferred to use the synthetic tissues initially
and then to progress to the fresh equivalents subsequently. 3.
The Skilltray provided all the requisite elements for rehearsing
basic tissue handling, suturing, and anastomotic techniques in
a self-contained, easily transportable module. We would suggest
that such a unit be given to each participant to take away at
the end of the basic skills course, to enable consolidation of
the skills learned. 4. Where the use of fresh tissues is not
possible the highly functional nature of the synthetic simulators
evaluated make it acceptable then to use them as the only training
modality.
Descriptors: artificial organs, education, graduate methods,
surgery education, teaching materials, attitude of personnel,
evaluation studies, artificial skin, alternatives.
Tomasovic, S.P., K.N. Gray, A.J. Mastromarino, and K.I. Adsit
(1989). Animal care and training for temporary research employees.
Lab Animal 18(4): 27-28,30,32.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L33
Descriptors: training programs, training, animal care and use,
protocol, ACUC.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (1990).
Responsible care and use of animals in research and training:
institutional animal care training program. San Antonio,
Texas: University of Texas Health Science Center, 36 p.
NAL call number: HV4933 T4U5
Descriptors: laboratory animals, animal welfare, animal models,
bioethics.
Van Hoosier, G.L. Jr., M.B. Dennis, Jr, C. Pekow, and C.S.Scott
(1994). Research animal management problems as a strategy
for education and training. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory
Animal Science 33(5): 72-74.
NAL call number: SF405.5 A23
Descriptors: veterinary education, animal husbandry, training,
educational methods.
Van Hoosier, G.L. Jr., M.B. Dennis, Jr, C. Pekow, and C.S.
Scott (1994). Education and training through the use of problem-based
learning exercises. In Welfare and science proceedings
of the Fifth Symposium of the Federation of European Laboratory
Animal Science Associations, 8-11 June 1993, Brighton, UK / Federation
of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations Symposium,
London: Royal Society of Medicine Press, pp. 89-93.
NAL call number: QL55 F43 1993
Descriptors: veterinary education, teaching methods, research
workers, discussion groups, animal welfare, class activities.
White, G.L., M.A. Perry, and S.D. Kosanke (1991). A comprehensive
health science center educational program for animal care and
use. Lab Animal 20(7): 47-49.
NAL call number: QL55 A1L33
Descriptors: University of Oklahoma, course focus, workshops,
laboratories.
Will, J.A. and A. Gendron-Fitzpatrick (1987). Investigator
training: Animal care and use committees. Laboratory Animal
Science 37(special issue): 159-160.
NAL call number: 410.9 P94
Descriptors: animal welfare, continuing education, laboratory
animals, research, universities, ACUC.
Zutphen, B.F.M. van and J.B.F. van der Valk (1995). Education
and training: a basis for the introduction of the three Rs alternatives
into animal research. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals:
ATLA 23(1): 123-127.
NAL call number: Z7994.L3A5.
Abstract: Education is a highly effective way of promoting the
introduction of alternatives into the everyday practice of biomedical
research and testing. In some countries, specific requirement
for the education of persons involved in animal experimentation
have been made compulsory by law. In The Netherlands, young scientists
must take a course on laboratory animal science as part of, or
in addition to, their biomedical graduate programme. This course
provides information on the proper design of animal experiments,
but also covers alternatives animal welfare issues and ethical
aspects of animal experimentation. The Three RB of Russell &
Burch are the guiding principles of the course, during which
participants are challenged to seek methods or techniques that
can replace, reduce or refine the use of animals. Since 1985
more than 2500 people in The Netherlands have taken the course,
and evaluations have indicated that a large majority of the participants
appreciated this education as a contribution to both the quality
of experiments and the welfare of the animals, and considered
the course to be indispensable for those who are responsible
for the design and performance of animal experiments.
Descriptors: animal testing alternatives, animal experiments,
educational courses, training, laboratory animals, animal husbandry.
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