A REDCap application that links researchers, animal facility staff and members of the IACUC in animal health monitoring
Date
2019
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Article
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Sage Journals
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Abstract
Los estudios de investigación que requieren la experimentación con animales son regulados por el Comité Institucional para el Cuidado y Uso de Animales de Laboratorio (CICUAL). Con este fin, el CICUAL debe integrar la información suministrada por los investigadores de cada estudio preclínico y por los veterinarios de Bioterio para poder controlar y aprobar el proceso. Utilizar un sistema en papel para recoger datos del bienestar y la salud de los animales es una práctica común pero que requiere mucho tiempo, propensa a errores de lectura y transcripción, sin nombrar todos los inconvenientes que tiene para veterinarios e investigadores que desean tomar decisiones colaborativas y precisas cuando el bienestar del animal está en peligro. Hemos creado un Sistema Web para gestión de bases de datos que se centra en la salud animal con el potencial de mejorar su bienestar. El sistema de gestión de datos utiliza el software REDCap, que permite la integración de datos para ofrecer una solución para la evaluación del bienestar animal. El programa propuesto incluye indicadores claves del estado de salud general, como el entorno, información física/nutricional y parámetros de comportamiento durante la cría y la experimentación con animales, como componentes importantes del bienestar animal. Asimismo, el sistema facilita la comunicación de esta información entre los investigadores, el personal de Bioterio y el CICUAL. REDCap está disponible para organizaciones sin fines de lucro de lucro y adáptandose a los requerimientos propios de las instituciones interesadas y responsables del cuidado de animales utilizados en los estudios de investigación. REDCap es una herramienta excelente para fomentar buenas prácticas que beneficien la salud de los animales de experimentación.
Research studies involving animal experimentation are regulated by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). To this end, the IACUC must integrate the information provided by the investigators of each preclinical study and the veterinarians from the animal facility in order to monitor and approve the process. Using a paper-based system to collect animal health and welfare data is a common, albeit time-consuming practice, prone to transcription and reading errors, not to mention inconvenient for veterinarians and investigators wishing to make timely and collaborative decisions when animal welfare is at risk. We created a web-based monitoring system focused on animal health with the potential to improve animal welfare. The data management system is based on REDCap software, which enables data integration in order to offer a solution for animal welfare assessment. The proposed scheme includes key indicators of general health status, such as environment, physical/nutritional information, and behavioral parameters during animal breeding and experimentation, as important components of animal welfare. In addition, the system facilitates communication of this information among researchers, animal facility staff, and the IACUC. REDCap is available to non-profit organizations, and may be adapted and replicated by institutions interested in and responsible for animal care, and used in research. REDCap is an excellent tool for promoting good practices that benefit experimental animal health.
Research studies involving animal experimentation are regulated by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). To this end, the IACUC must integrate the information provided by the investigators of each preclinical study and the veterinarians from the animal facility in order to monitor and approve the process. Using a paper-based system to collect animal health and welfare data is a common, albeit time-consuming practice, prone to transcription and reading errors, not to mention inconvenient for veterinarians and investigators wishing to make timely and collaborative decisions when animal welfare is at risk. We created a web-based monitoring system focused on animal health with the potential to improve animal welfare. The data management system is based on REDCap software, which enables data integration in order to offer a solution for animal welfare assessment. The proposed scheme includes key indicators of general health status, such as environment, physical/nutritional information, and behavioral parameters during animal breeding and experimentation, as important components of animal welfare. In addition, the system facilitates communication of this information among researchers, animal facility staff, and the IACUC. REDCap is available to non-profit organizations, and may be adapted and replicated by institutions interested in and responsible for animal care, and used in research. REDCap is an excellent tool for promoting good practices that benefit experimental animal health.
Description
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Citation
Carvajal C, Vallejos C, Lemaitre D, Ruiz J, Guzmán C, Aguilera V, Baño D, Calligaris SD. A REDCap application that links researchers, animal facility staff and members of the IACUC in animal health monitoring. Lab Anim. 2019 Oct;53(5):500-507. doi: 10.1177/0023677218815723.
Keywords
REDCap, Animal health