In evaluating this scenario, we assume that the analgesia schedule called for more than 1 day of analgesics, meaning that the animal may have experienced a higher degree of pain than anticipated because of the missed dose. But analgesics were given, and so it is appropriate to place the animal in category D on the USDA annual report.

There are limitations to the quality of data provided on the annual report. Pain experienced by animals can be categorized as no or momentary pain, pain relieved by administration of analgesics or pain not relieved by administration of analgesics because their use would adversely affect the research results. It would be difficult to justify the placement of these animals in category E, because analgesics were given, albeit late, and the delay was a result of human error and not an IACUC-approved action.

Great Eastern's IACUC concluded that this was an unfortunate error and no sanctions were considered necessary. This denotes an attitude of acceptance and complacency toward human error. It would be nice if there were no mistakes when using animals for research, testing or training; unfortunately, that is not likely to ever be the case. Its inevitability, however, does not mean that human error should not be addressed.

Great Eastern's IACUC should have required the investigator responsible for the research to submit a plan of action to ensure the appropriate administration of analgesics in the future. This plan could include confirmation checks such as checklists, a buddy system or supervisor sign-off to make sure that all required procedures are completed. Confirmation is especially important when a mistake could lead to unnecessary pain or distress to animals, the minimization of which is one of the main focuses of animal welfare in research. The IACUC must find a balance between taking the trouble to ensure that procedures are done correctly and living with mistakes. Will the overall results be better if we aim to make no mistakes (but probably make a few anyway) or if we just accept that mistakes are going to happen and pay the price when they do? Each IACUC should determine what an acceptable balance is and how to bring personnel up to the appropriate level of rigor required to strike that balance. It is the IACUC's responsibility to set the standard.

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