Does DLAR have rodent survival surgery areas?

General Information

• OR rooms #2 (Maximum Isolation) and #3 (Conventional) are available, seven days a week, for rodent survival surgery.

• Investigators must sign up for use of the surgical space. The sign up sheet is located outside the Veterinary Technicians office in the HSC facility. Space is available on a “first come-first serve” basis so it is recommended that investigators sign up one week in advance of the surgery date.

• The surgery rooms, when not in use, are routinely locked because surgical equipment is stored in these areas. To gain access, please contact a member of the veterinary staff who will unlock the doors.

Weekend and After Hours Use

• The Veterinary staff will check the OR sign-up sheet every weekday afternoon. If work is scheduled after 4:30 p.m., or on the weekends, the exit door (the “back” door) to the scheduled surgery room will be left unlocked.

• If surgical support supplies are needed (e.g. fluids, sterile instruments, gauze, etc.) the investigator must fill out an Investigator Supply Request Form stating what supplies are needed. These forms are located outside the Veterinary Technician's office (HSC, Rm 229). If supplies are needed for weekend surgeries, the request form must be turned in by Thursday, at noon, so that supplies can be gathered and/or autoclaved.

Investigator Responsibilities—Post-operatively

• Red bag waste should be removed from the surgery room and placed in a barrel in the dead animal cold box.

• All animal carcasses should be removed from the surgical suite, bagged and placed in a barrel in the dead animal cold box.

• Dirty cages should be placed on the dirty side of the cage washer.