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Operating Policy and Procedure

HSC OP: 73.20 Anatomical Sciences Resource Policy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Health Sciences Center Operating Policy and Procedure (HSC OP) is to establish regulations and administrative structure related to the use of anatomical sciences resources such an anatomical sciences space and cadaveric specimens on campus. This policy provides guidelines, review, and oversight for: 1) the use of anatomical sciences space; and 2) the use of deceased human bodies (cadavers) and human anatomical specimens at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center campuses (hereafter referred to as “TTUHSC”).

TTUHSC recognizes that the use of deceased human bodies and anatomical specimens are necessary to facilitate quality health sciences education and research. TTUHSC is committed to respectful and dignified treatment of human remains. TTUHSC requires all constituents to obey legal and public health standards pertaining to the acquisition and use of deceased human bodies and anatomical specimens, including but not limited to Texas Health and Safety Code Chapters 691 and 692 and Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Part 4, Chapters 477 and 479, as well as the requirements included in TTUHSC Standards of Conduct and the statutory Code of Conduct for Texas Employees (Texas Government Code Chapter 572).

This HSC OP applies to all use of anatomical sciences space and the use or possession of deceased human bodies and anatomical specimens on TTUHSC campuses.

All use/possession of cadaveric specimen must be facilitated by the Institute of Anatomical Sciences (“IAS”) and Willed Body Program (“WBP”) and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas (SAB) (Title 25 T.A.C. Part 4) and approved by the Institutional Anatomical Review Committee.

REVIEW: This HSC OP will be reviewed in January of every odd-numbered year (ONY) by the Director(s) of the Institute of Anatomical Sciences, with recommendations for revision forwarded to the Provost by February 1.

I. DEFINITIONS

A. Anatomical Sciences Resources: anatomical sciences space, cadavers, or anatomical specimens.

B. Cadaver: full human deceased body. May be embalmed or unembalmed. Typically donated by the donor or a family to the Willed Body Program.

C. Anatomical Specimens: human body parts, including bones and viscera obtained from deceased human bodies.

D. Willed Body Program: State of Texas sanctioned program managed by TTUHSC that receives and manages cadavers and anatomical specimens within the state approved anatomical sciences spaces on TTUHSC campuses.

II. POLICY:

A. TTUHSC space dedicated to anatomical sciences and the Willed Body Program is a university resource crucial to the mission and operations of the institution. This space includes all areas within TTUHSC specifically approved for use with cadaveric specimens by the Texas State Anatomical Board.

B. Cadaveric specimens (whole or part) are not to be taken or used outside of Texas State Anatomical Board approved facilities within the TTUHSC without expressed, written consent of the Willed Body Program Director.

C. Use of TTUHSC anatomical sciences space and cadaveric resources must be approved by the TTUHSC Institutional Anatomical Review Committee (IARC). Members may be appointed by the Provost and School Deans may appoint two members to serve on the IARC. Members should be actively engaged or interested in the use of anatomical sciences resources. The TTUHSC representative to the State Anatomical Board chairs the council and the Director of the Willed Body Program serves as vice chair. The Chair or the Chair’s designee is responsible for coordinating the meetings and communicating decisions of the IARC to individual parties within fifteen working days after each meeting. Minutes of meeting proceedings will be available to IARC members.

D. The TTUHSC Institutional Anatomical Review Committee’s charge is to: 1) manage and facilitate use of anatomical sciences resources; 2) ensure compliance with university and state rules and regulations regarding the use of cadaveric specimens; 3) strategically plan for future administrative structure and fiscal sustainability of the expanding anatomical sciences resources.

E. All anatomical sciences resource needs/requests will be submitted to the TTUHSC IARC for approval through the Institute of Anatomical Sciences.

F. All anatomical sciences resource requests must include justification and documentation following the procedures outlined within the Institute of Anatomical Sciences website: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/centers-institutes/anatomy/default.aspx

G. Members of the TTUHSC Institutional Anatomical Review Committee serve at the discretion of and are advisory to the Office of the Provost.

III. CONTACTS