Animal Use Medical Screening Program

AUMS Program

The Animal Use Medical Screening (AUMS) program is a component of the University of Washington's Animal Use Occupational Health and Safety Program required by Federal authorities.

The University of Washington Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) requires individuals that have contact with animals or conduct activities in areas where animals are housed must participate in the AUMS program.

The primary goal of this program is to evaluate and address potential health risks, as needed, that may be associated with your interface with laboratory animals in the research environment.

The Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) in the Occupational Health and Safety Section in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is responsible for administering and managing the Animal Use Occupational Health and Safety Program.

All faculty, staff, visiting scholars, veterinarian and animal husbandry staff, facilities and maintenance staff, and students who work directly with animals, unfixed animal tissues or body fluids, and those who conduct activities in animal housing areas must participate in this program.

This program requires the completion and submission of the AUMS form every three years. Individuals have the option of declining participation in the AUMS program by signing the declination statement on the form. The declination statement must be signed every three years. The OAW requires notification that all identified individuals have completed the medical screening process. New and continuing authorization to use animals or to conduct activities in areas where animals are housed is contingent upon your participation in the program.

Screening Process

The Medical Screening Process includes the following steps:

  1. Complete the confidential Animal Use Medical Screening Form (Word).
  2. Return the completed form to EH&S:
    • By Mail (mark the envlope CONFIDENTIAL):
      OHN (Occupational Health Nurse)
      EHS, Box 357165
    • By Confidential Fax:
      206.221.3068
  3. The EH&S Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) will review the form. In most cases, the EH&S OHN will be able to return clearances based on the information received. This notification will be sent to you through interoffice mail. This letter will also notify you when to complete the AUMS form again. The EH&S OHN will notify the OAW of your completion of the medical screening process. In those instances where further evaluation is required, you will be notified of the request to schedule an appointment with the Employee Health Center (EHC). Your supervisor may need to see this letter to ensure compliance with OAW.
  4. Those notified of the need to schedule an appointment with the EHC must schedule and complete this appointment or sign the declination statement on the notification form to decline further participation. The signed declination form must be sent to the EH&S OHN at Box 357165. Upon completion of this process, the OAW will be notified.
  5. Completion of this form or declination signature must occur every three years, unless otherwise directed by the EH&S OHN or the EHC, or when a change in your health status has occurred.