After Approval

AFTER APPROVAL

Once your protocol is approved, the work truly begins! A protocol is approved for a three-year approval period.  The expiration date is 3 years from the date of approval and that cannot be extended. After a protocol is approved, animal research oversight is a cooperative process between the IACUC, the Post-Approval Verification and Education team, and investigators.

RECORDKEEPING

It is vital that investigators keep accurate and up-to-date records. Examples of procedures that must be documented include surgeries, tumor monitoring, and other invasive procedures. For examples of record formats, please contact the IACUC Office at IACUC@utep.edu.

SEMI-ANNUAL INSPECTIONS

Facility and laboratory inspections are conducted to ensure that areas where animals are housed and animal procedures are performed comply with the regulations relating to animal research. The purpose of these inspections is not to get labs in trouble, but rather to help keep labs in compliance with the regulatory bodies.  For more information on how to prepare for a semi-annual inspection, please contact the IACUC Office at IACUC@utep.edu.

post approval verification & education (Pave)

The IACUC has an obligation set forth by federal regulations to oversee and continually review all aspects of UTEP’s animal research program. The Post-Approval Verification and Education (PAVE) team are one aspect of that program. Their role in reviewing protocol activity is meant to be a collegial experience with a focus on education and an exchange of information. The spirit of PAVE is to review animal research as it is occurring in real time and encourage transparency between the researcher and the IACUC.

For further information visit the PAVE website.