GUIDELINES FOR MAINTAINING NON-USDA COVERED SPECIES PROCEDURE/SURGERY AREAS (Posted & Effective April 2005)

• Clear the area to be used before bringing the animals to the lab. Disinfect the area with an appropriate disinfectant (i.e. chlorhexidine, bleach solution) and have defined areas for cages, fur clipping, and surgery^1,2.



• If live animals will be in a fume hood for any length of time, all chemicals should be removed³.



• Make sure dirty cages are covered at all times, and disposed of each day⁴.



• Keep floor and other surfaces free of dirty bedding, feces, blood, etc.⁴.



• Supplies, equipment, etc. that touches the animal should be cleaned/disinfected before use.



• The animal area should be disinfected/sanitized after animal work. If there are surface areas in the animal use area that can’t be sanitized (such as unsealed cardboard or wood) these items should be removed⁴.



• Check for expired drugs and supplies regularly⁵.

For survival surgery areas:

• Before starting a new surgery session, the area must be disinfected². If there are items with surfaces in the area that can’t be sanitized (such as unsealed cardboard or wood) these items should be removed⁴. Always use clean underpads and towels.



• The animal area should be disinfected/sanitized after animal work
  



• Survival surgery must be done using aseptic procedures³. Therefore, the surgical instruments, sutures, swabs, etc. must be sterilized and kept sterile until they are used. Instruments lying out on a table or bench can be interpreted as evidence for non-aseptic procedures. The best solution is to place the instruments in a specially designed pack or wrapped in drapes or cloths, then have it steam autoclaved. Any implants should be sterilized.

For euthanasia areas:

• It is good lab practice to not let bloody items sit out after you have finished using the area. Underpads soiled with hair, feces, urine, etc. contain allergens and could be an occupational health hazard, so please dispose of by the end of the day⁴.



• It is preferable to euthanize animals in a hood, away from other animals. If no hood is available, conscious animals should be arranged so they are not in close proximity with animals being euthanized ³.

References:

1. NIH Rodent Survival Surgery Guidelines



2. Cunliffe-Beamer , T. 1993. Applying Principles of Aseptic Surgery to Rodents. AWIC Newsletter, 4(2): 3-6.



3. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. National Research Council, National Academy Press, 1996.



4. UCSF Occupational Health standards



5. UCSF Policy

   Refer to the IACUC website for details on:
   Rodent Survival Surgery
   Aseptic Procedures for Rodent Survival Surgery

Questions or comments please contact the IACUC office 415-476-2197.