Which of the following documents is included in the PHS Institutional Assurance filing requirement?

The PHS (Public Health Service) Institutional Assurance filing requirement mandates that institutions submit a number of documents to demonstrate their commitment to animal welfare in research. One of the key components of this requirement is the inclusion of institutional policies on animal care.

This document outlines how an institution ensures compliance with the ethical and humane treatment of animals used in research. It reflects the institution's framework for animal care practices and the standards it adheres to in order to meet federal regulations and guidelines, thereby ensuring that all research activities are conducted responsibly. This fosters a culture of ethical research and accountability, which is a primary focus of the PHS.

Other choices, while relevant to animal care and research compliance, do not specifically meet the PHS filing requirement in the same way that institutional policies do. For example, details of research funding received are not part of the foundational assurance to the PHS regarding animal welfare. Similarly, annual facility inspection outcomes and procedures for handling animal care violations may be important for internal management and compliance but are not directly included as part of the assurance documentation that institutions must file with the PHS. This makes the inclusion of institutional policies on animal care essential to the assurance filing process.