POLICY ON HEALTH SURVEILLANCE FOR PERSONNEL WITH ANIMAL EXPOSURE OR CONTACT

In compliance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, National Research Council (NCR) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) accreditation standards, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, the UCSF’s IACUC has in effect the following policy:

1. Enrollment in AESP

All new and current UCSF employees/research personnel who have contact with animals as animal care technicians, research personnel or IACUC Committee members are required to participate in baseline health screening procedures by completing the following:

Medical Health Screening (MHS) Questionnaire

(After logging in to RIO click the "Training and Surveys (MHS)" link to complete the new MHS Questionnaire.)

• All new and current UCSF employees/research personnel who have contact with animals in the course of their work are required to participate in baseline health screening procedures. If you have questions, you may contact:

  • Krista Lindstrom, DVM, MPH
    Public Health Officer
    (415) 514-3531
    krista.lindstrom@ucsf.edu

• Laboratory Animal Resource Center (LARC) personnel are enrolled and are seen on an individual basis by the OHS nurse or physician.
  

• During the protocol renewal process, both new and current research personnel will be assessed for their compliance with enrollment in this program.
  
  
• All personnel are required to provide all health information requested in the online application form.
  
  
• There is no rational basis for opting out of this process for current or new employees/research personnel. The medical information collected is for the protection of the employee and their co-workers. The OHS treats this information as confidential and abides by the University policy, which follows HIPAA guidelines. Health and medical information cannot be distributed or shared with any third party without the written and informed formal consent of the individual.
  
  
• Failure to comply may result in a restriction from working with animals.

• Pursuant to concerns raised, UCSF has instituted an option for researchers and staff to work directly with OHS in lieu of completing the MHS questionnaire online. Please log on to the questionnaire to select this option.

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2. Annual Health Screening in the AESP

Annual health screening in the AESP (either online or in person) is required for all current UCSF employees/research personnel who have contact with animals as animal care technicians, research personnel or IACUC Committee members.

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3. Q Fever Surveillance

UCSF employees/research personnel who have contact with sheep or sheep tissue are required to enroll in the OHS Q Fever Surveillance Program at hire. Those individuals who have contact with female sheep or tissue from female sheep are required to participate in Q fever screening on an annual basis. LARC personnel who fail to comply will be reported to the Director of LARC. Research personnel who fail to comply will be reported to IACUC. Failure to comply may result in a restriction from working with animals.

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4. TB Surveillance

UCSF employees/research personnel who have contact with nonhuman primates are required to enroll in the OHS’s TB Surveillance Program at hire and complete TB screening on annual basis. LARC personnel who fail to comply will be reported to the Director of LARC. Research personnel who fail to comply will be reported to IACUC. Failure to comply may result in a restriction from working with animals.

For more information about the OHS or to view the detailed health policies and procedures, please visit the OHS site.