Policies

Policies of using Instruments in Service

Last updated 11/16/2020

We strive to provide a high quality of service, minimal equipment down-times, and ease of access, for the many researchers who utilize our resources. The below policies are in place to help us achieve the goal of allowing a large community of researchers to utilize common equipment while maintaining a high quality and reliable service.

If rules are not followed, core access can be denied.

1. Temporary policy adjustment for COVID-19

• Users should adhere to their booked time.
• Users must follow Emory EHSO PPE guide for laboratory personnel, wear masks and keep social distancing.
• Follow the guideline of room maximum person capacity.
• Please disinfect the systems both pre and post usage by wiping the work area with Kimwipes sprayed with 70% ethanol provided by our core, next to the instruments.

2. Instruments access and booking

• All users must have an account and a project in PPMS. See FAQ to apply for a PPMS account and project creation.
• All users must be trained and authorized by EGMIC staff to operate the equipment. Once you have been trained, you will be granted user right to log in the system computer with your PPMS user name and password, and start your unassisted instrument use. Log in PPMS to book your sessions.
• See FAQ about instrument locations and parking instruction.

3. Ending your sessions

After finishing your session, remove your materials and clean work area. Un-attended and un-labeled materials will be discarded. Remember to log out your PPMS account. Don’t log out of computer’s user account. Don’t shut down the systems.

4. Saving data and data storage/retention

Save your data in the specific location of system computer. Back up your data by saving in PPMS map drive (EGMIC network drive). We will keep your data for two years. Also make your own local backup in case system computer crashes or network drive fails.

5. Reporting problem

If you have a question or encounter a problem while working with the systems, please reach out to us by email or phone call. You can also report an incident in PPMS system. We will also post system maintenance schedule and repair down time in PPMS system.

6. Bio-safety

We allow BSL2 on the systems. Dispose biohazardous materials in the Stericycle waste container. No food or drink are allowed in the instrument rooms.

7. Charges and cancellations

• Only actual instrument run time will be charged at the posted rates.Data review session won’t be charged.
• Booked time no shown or cancellation won’t be charged. Cancel your session early is encouraged so that other users can use the system.
• We will send you a monthly invoice. Please email us if you have any question about the bill.

8. Publication acknowledgement

Including an acknowledgement in your publications and reporting those publications to us are critical for continued support and subsidies for our core. Please see guidelines for acknowledgements.