Rules of Accreditation Flashcards
What animals not owned by the accredited unit may still be reviewed during the site visit?
Those that are housed in the accredited program and may impact the health or welfare of the institutionally owned animals or the occupational health and safety of personnel
Will AAALAC evaluate new, still developing programs?
No, an active animal care and use program must be in place and operational prior to application for accreditation.
Can inactive programs keep their accreditation?
No. In order to maintain accreditation, an inactive program must resume work within twelve months. If the unit resumes an active animal care and use program after revocation, a new application for accreditation must be submitted.
Why types of facilities with AAALAC accredit?
Public or private institution, organization, or agency maintaining, using, importing, or producing animals for purposes of scientific research, teaching, or testing
How is accreditation of academic institutions handled?
Resource organizations that provide animal care and related services are not permitted to seek accreditation independently of academic units such as schools, colleges, independent research components, or other academic units.
How is accreditation of private organizations handled?
Major divisions or units are eligible to seek accreditation provided they have independent local administration and are clearly autonomous in terms of facilities, personnel, policies, and funding from other divisions or units of the same org.
When can the accreditable units change?
Not immediately prior to determination of accreditation status or during provisional, probationary, revocation, or appeal. Otherwise, facilities previously used may be permanently abandoned at any time
How are contiguous facilities handled?
Extent to which facilities on the same floor or building, which are assigned to other units not participating in AAALAC, are evaluated is up to AAALAC.
How are separated facilities/satellites handled?
If the oversight, management, and operation of the use in the separate/satellite facilities are dependent on the main animal care and use program, they are considered part of the accredited unit and must be visited. If not integral to the primary unit, they may be considered as separate programs with AAALAC accreditation extended to each individually.
How are contract facilities handled?
If contractor provides most or all of the facilities, services, personnel, and animals, AAALAC accreditation does not extend to the contracted facilities.
If the accredited unit owns the animals, AAALAC considers those facilities as integral part of the institution’s animal care program. AAALAC will visit. If the contract facility is separately accredited by AAALAC and currently accredited, it will not be necessary to visit the facility during the site visit.
How many AAALAC visitors attend the initial AAALAC site visit?
Not less than 2. One site visitor may be used at the option of Council for periodic or special site visits after the initial site visit has been conducted, or in the event of a small or remote facility.
What occurs if AAALAC cannot evaluate all aspects of a site?
Will not accredit units that cannot be thoroughly evaluated. May be instances in which unit may wish to restrict or prohibit site visitor access to certain program information or facilities - AAALAC representatives and applicant may mutually agree that certain sites do not need to be physically entered.
Can a previously accredited unit be revered to provisional status?
No. Council may instead advise a program of proposed reasons for revoking accreditation, that is has been placed on probation, and if deficiencies are not corrected w/i a specific time period (not to exceed 12 months), that accreditation will be revoked. If probationary deficiencies corrected at time of site visit, but additional serious deficiencies are noted, and additional Probationary period, not to exceed 12 months, may be granted to cover the deficiencies. Notice of Probation is only to unit and AAALAC.
How long can Provisional Status be granted?
For a period not to extend more than 24 months. At first meeting of Council thereafter, accreditation must be withheld or awarded.
Does AAALAC need to visit before taking action on a unit on Provisional Status or Probationary Accreditation?
Not necessarily
How long does an institution have to appeal a decision to withhold or revoke accreditation?
30 days. Council has 30 days after its meeting to render their decision.
How long does an institution have to appeal a decision made by Council regarding their initial decision?
30 days
