Quality Management System implementation at breeding animal facility: the CPqRR/FIOCRUZ experience

摘要

This work was carried out at the animal breeding facility of the Rene Rachou Research Center (CPqRR), FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Quality Management System (QMS) are the rules and principles relating to day-to-day quality in organisations. The aim of this study is to report QMS implementation at a breeding animal facility in Brazil. To achieve the planned objectives, a review of all the existing guidelines was first carried out, which led to the choice of ISO 9001 and the requirements of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC).The following steps were taken to implement the system: awareness of the top management, definition of policy and quality objectives, survey of critical points at the breeding animal facility, defining structural work, staff training and elaboration of documents. A situational diagnosis allowed the identification of critical points such as: inadequate control of animal production; lack of animal health and genetics monitoring programmes; deficiencies in ventilation monitoring programme, systems of lighting, temperature, humidity and noise in the areas of animal breeding; deficiencies in the routine disinfection in the animal facilities areas and sterilisation of materials and supplies; lack of personnel access control; deficiency of equipment control;lack of animal welfare programme. An action plan was established and corrective actions were taken. The implementation of the QMS resulted in better planning, organisation, greater involvement and understanding of work processes, improving service to users of laboratory animals, improvement of the working environment, health and welfare of both animals and people.