Gap assessment processes for evaluating facility design, operation and protocols in legacy A/BSL-3 facilities

Assuming responsibility for legacy high-containment animal research facility presents challenges and opportunities for improvement that every Responsible Official/Biosafety Officer should be aware of, from facility operations to procedures and protocols. Don’t assume a facility is safe and compliant facility based on BSAT registration alone – that could be a costly mistake. Debra Sharpe highlights the importance of understanding the original basis of design and preparing facilities teams after institutional knowledge is lost. She examines how to maximize the value of commissioning and retro-commissioning, and develop sufficient knowledge of building automation systems and controls to recognize problems. She provides tips for evaluating SOPs and protocols to ensure they are current and compliant and identifies helpful external resources.