Purpose
To define the requirement for anesthesia certification and the qualifications necessary to achieve certification all researchers and research staff members at the University of Washington.
Definitions
- General Anesthesia:
- Complete loss of consciousness during which the animal requires continuous monitoring and support; renders animals non-responsive to external or painful stimuli; may result in some compromise of respiratory or cardiovascular function; may require airway support in some cases
- Sedation:
- Reduction of consciousness which may or may not allow animals to respond to certain stimuli; typically results in retention of ability to swallow, does not compromise respiratory or cardiovascular function
- Anesthesia Certification:
- Assessment to establish competence in the administration of anesthesia to animals; typically species-specific and may be procedure-specific
- Terminal Anesthesia:
- Administration of anesthesia from which there is no intention of recovery; animal will be euthanized while anesthetized after being maintained under general anesthesia for a variable duration of time
- Acute Terminal Anesthesia:
- Administration of anesthesia for a very brief duration to facilitate euthanasia
Background
The IACUC is committed to the welfare of all research animals undergoing anesthesia. It is vital that the IACUC ensure a researcher’s competence in the use of pre-medications, airway control, anesthetic drugs and dosages, and physiological monitoring before, during, and after anesthesia. Each animal is unique in its requirements for pre-medications, airway control, anesthetic drugs and dosages, and physiological monitoring. All of these components are critical to ensure a successful anesthetic outcome. Training in anesthetic methods for researchers using non-USDA-regulated rodents is provided in required training courses offered through the Center for Laboratory Animal Training Resources (CLATR). Anesthesia in birds and in USDA-regulated animals is too diverse to cover in generalized training and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
General Anesthesia is required for all major surgical procedures and is often required for minor surgical procedures, other invasive/painful procedures, or for prolonged imaging sessions. The use of inhalant anesthetics (e.g., isoflurane or sevoflurane) or some injectable anesthetics (e.g., propofol) are always considered to result in general anesthesia. Other compounds (e.g., ketamine, xylazine, acepromazine) can result in either sedation or anesthesia depending on dosage, combination, route, and species. Research staff should consult with veterinary services to determine if compounds proposed for use will result in anesthesia or sedation. Ultimately, the requirement for certification will be made by the Attending Veterinarian or designee.
Chemical immobilization of nonhuman primates using ketamine is exempted from the certification requirement and process outlined in this policy but requires an alternate certification overseen by the Washington National Primate Research Center. Specialized, specific training and certification programs are in place for that procedure that replace the requirement for certification as described in this policy.
Policy
Certification Requirements
Any individual who plans to administer anesthesia to any vertebrate animal or cephalopod must be properly trained prior to independent administration of anesthesia.
Provision of anesthesia to USDA-regulated rodents and to birds requires both training and certification prior to independent administration of anesthesia.
Provision of anesthesia to USDA-regulated non-rodent mammals (e.g., rabbits, ferrets, dogs, pigs, or nonhuman primates) requires expertise and additional training and experience in anesthesia that are beyond the scope of routine training courses. Individuals requesting certification for provision of anesthesia in USDA-covered non-rodent mammals must additionally meet the Qualification Criteria outlined below before requesting certification.
Individuals requesting anesthesia certification for USDA-regulated non-rodent mammals must meet one of the following minimum requirements*:
- Graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary school or licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the US, and experience with the species being certified.
- Graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician program or licensed veterinary technician, with experience with the species being certified.
- Board certified human anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist, or other physician licensed in the US with extensive anesthesia experience as part of their training, with 10 cases and 10 hours of supervised anesthesia experience with the species being certified.
- Certified Surgical Research Anesthetist (SRA) from the Academy of Surgical Research with recent experience with the species being certified.
- Individual with supervised experience as the primary anesthetist in veterinary anesthesia consisting of a minimum of 50 cases and 200 hours that completes a written and practical exam which covers the basic principles of anesthesia (see study guide for the Academy of Surgical Research) as well as species-specific anesthesia requirements.
*In some cases, modifications to the above requirements can be granted by the Attending Veterinarian (or designee) on a case-by-case basis for individuals performing terminal anesthesia. Individuals must still have at least 10 cases or 100 hours of anesthesia experience as the primary anesthetist with that particular anesthetic protocol in that particular species, as well as completion of a written and practical exam.
*Exemption from these minimum qualifications can be granted by the Attending Veterinarian (or designee) on a case by case basis for individuals performing acute terminal anesthesia.
Significant changes to anesthetic plans may require recertification.
Change in species will require new certification.
Specialized anesthetic techniques (e.g., tracheostomy tube placement) or equipment (e.g., unique lab anesthetic circuit set-ups) require training and may require certification prior to use that is outside the scope of this policy.
The use of systemic paralytics requires specific training prior to their use in any species. The IACUC-approved protocol must include scientific justification for the use of systemic paralytics, as well as a description of how animals will be monitored to ensure adequate anesthesia, or justification if anesthesia cannot be used.
If >18 months have elapsed between general anesthesia procedures, then the individual is required to perform the next general anesthesia under supervision to ensure no loss of skills.
Certification Process
Certification is coordinated by CLATR and generally provided by Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) or Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) veterinary staff.
The anesthesia certification process will be unique for each species and will generally include the following:
- demonstration of proficiency in the use of anesthetic equipment
- ability to properly assess anesthetic depth
- ability to appropriately interpret and respond to physiologic changes resulting from administration of anesthesia
- knowledge of anesthetic risks and emergency procedures
- appropriate recordkeeping practices.
In some cases (e.g., remote field locations), proficiency may be assessed via interviews or acknowledgement of training completed at other institutions. These exceptions must be reviewed and approved by the Attending Veterinarian, or designee.
Approval/Review Dates
Originally Approved: 09/17/2009
Last Reviewed/Revised by the IACUC: 11/16/23