Laboratory Animal Research Center

Advancing toward a research core center by conducting animal testing in a scientific and ethical manner

Introduction

Certified by AAALAC International (2001), SMC’s Laboratory Animal Research Center supports biomedical research and clinical trial by providing human resources and physical infrastructure to enable systematic and ethical animal testing. With 6 veterinarians, 4 PhDs in related fields, 14 trainers and technicians and 2 pathologists, the Laboratory Animal Research Center offers customized animal testing services to researchers, while maintaining optimum animal conditions and research environments. Moreover the center promotes good animal welfare practices by maintaining compliance with regulations and monitoring the animal research environments.

The center is equipped with a bio-clean facility capable of breeding up to 20,000 mice and 1,700 rats as well as housing 96 rabbits and 44 pigs. The center has a range of mid-size animal anesthesia equipment, seven sets of monitoring equipment, a less-invasive surgery room (with two tables), a training theater capable of demonstrating microsurgery (10 tables with a microscope and TV monitor set), an inhalation anesthesia equipment for small animals, a surgical microscope and anesthesia equipment for small animals.

To further specialize its support capabilities, the Laboratory Animal Research Center established a mouse phenotyping pipeline and primate technology support system in 2013. In 2013, the mouse phenotyping pipeline completed its first-stage establishment with 13 databases and it is currently performing demo operation service for research mice. The second-stage establishment was complete with 15 databases in 2014, and in 2015, a world-class mouse phenotyping pipeline with a total of 28 databases on nine platforms including ontogeny, neural action, metabolism, circulation, imagery, vision, hearing and tissue pathology will be established.

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Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Patients' Rights

1. Right to receive medical care

Patients have the right to receive proper care in a safe setting without discrimination nor should their right to care be violated regardless of their gender, age, religion, social status, nationality, language, race, or physical/mental/financial status. Medical teams shall not refuse to provide care without justifiable reason.

2. Right to be informed and to make an autonomous decision

Patients have the right to obtain full and complete information from their medical team, to ask questions, and to determine their agreement or refusal concerning: diagnosis, treatment (purpose, plans and methods), outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), discharge plan, participation in medical research studies, organ transplantation/donation, etc. Within ethical boundaries, patients may discontinue or refuse treatment, request that the medical team explain and suggest alternative treatments, and reserve the right to make their own decisions.

3. Right to confidentiality

Patients' rights to confidentiality regarding their physical/health status and privacy will not be violated. Patients can expect that all medical records/reports and their personal privacy will be kept confidential unless the patient has given consent or disclosure is permitted by law. To ensure their privacy, patients may be informed that Individuals not directly involved in their care may not be present and that the number of guardians accompanying patients to consultation rooms may be limited.

4. Right to request consultation and mediation

In the event of a medical dispute, patients may request consultation and mediation from an internal or external agency (Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency).

5. Right to have values and beliefs respected

Patients will not be discriminated against because of their culture, religious values, or beliefs, and their rights will not be violated.

6. Right to receive care in a safe setting

Patients have the right to receive hospital-provided care where the patient’s medical information is protected and patient safety can be assured. In addition, patients have the right to be protected from possible dangers that can occur in a hospital and to have stability of mind and body.

Patients' Responsibilities

1. Responsibility to trust and respect the medical team

Patients must accurately inform the medical team of their health condition and must trust and respect the medical team's treatment plan. Patients may be responsible for consequences that result from not following instructions.

2. Responsibility to not use dishonest methods for medical treatment

Patients must reveal their identity before receiving any medical care and must not use false or dishonest methods, such as seeking medical care under disguised ownership.

3. Responsibility to abide by all hospital regulations

Patients are expected to treat all hospital staff and other patients with courtesy and respect; to abide by all hospital rules; and to earnestly fulfill their financial obligation to the hospital. Also, patients and their family members are expected to participate in all safety regulations.