Strategies That Influence Cost Containment in Animal Research Facilities (2000) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Laboratory Animal Management Practices
Laboratory Animal Management Practices
Pages 19-32
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 19... ...
Basic to animal records is accurate animal identification. Animal facility management and investigators should evaluate and agree on appropriate animal identification methods and see that they are implemented consistently and conscientiously.
|
From page 20... ...
There is a large amount of interrelationship among the records kept by an animal research facility. For example, the number of animals procured and assigned to a protocol needs to be entered into animal records, financial management records, and compliance records.
|
From page 21... ...
Almost all institutions have a system of charges for services to support their animal research facilities. As noted in the CIC study, nearly all institutions provide supplemental support from institutional funds.
|
From page 22... ...
, and the reliability of animal supply and quality. Research Services For efficient animal research, an institution can provide central core laboratories for a number of services rather than having individual laboratories duplicate services.
|
From page 23... ...
Admittedly, there can be tradeoffs among low maintenance, efficient animal care, investigators' convenience, and the initial cost of construction; these factors will vary institution by institution, and careful analysis should be given in each situation. There is a clear economy of scale in animal research facilities.
|
From page 24... ...
It is frustrating to the animal care staff, inefficient for operations, and a detriment to quality research when aspects of the physical plant underperform or require frequent maintenance. A well-maintained physical plant in which all systems operate reliably contributes to cost-efficient animal care.
|
From page 25... ...
The mean interval between cage changes in individually ventilated cages averaged 8.2 days in small institutions and 8.9 days in medium and large institutions; the range for all institutions was 3.5-14 days. A summary of the CIC study findings (Appendix B)
|
From page 26... ...
Some general observations regarding cost considerations and potential savings are presented here with respect to common areas of animal husbandry, such as cage sanitizing, watering, environmental enrichment, purchasing supplies, and acquiring animals. Cages and Cage Processing Transferring animals to clean cages and sanitizing primary enclosures constitute the bulk of physical labor required to support research facilities that have large rodent populations.
|
From page 27... ...
The reduction in labor required to process cages can be significantly reduced and have a major cost saving impact on facilities housing large numbers of rodents. IVCs can also house many more rodents per square foot of facility space than the traditional method of using shelf racks and standard shoebox cages.
|
From page 28... ...
Robotic arms have been designed to process polycarbonate rodent cages through an indexed tunnel washer, working on both dirty and clean sides of the cage-washing apparatus. Robotic technology offers the possibility of substantial long-term cost savings for biomedical research facilities because of its long service life, low maintenance requirements, and the elimination of disability claims in connection with cage washing-related injuries.
|
From page 29... ...
ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT At present, the Animal Welfare Act regulations only mandate environmental enrichment for nonhuman primate species and thus afford institutions the opportunity to contain costs by limiting the application of enrichment strategies to these species. However, there is a growing body of literature on environmental-enrichment strategies for many of the common laboratory animal species, and the Guide (NRC 1996a)
|
From page 30... ...
Taking that approach potentially carries the dual benefit of involving the animal care staff in a creative, innovative enterprise that contributes to animal well-being and reducing the supply costs associated with this effort. Health and other safety factors should be considered during the design and use of enrichment devices to ensure that neither animals nor personnel are exposed to additional risks.
|
From page 31... ...
SUMMARY In summary, the major findings and opinions expressed in this chapter are as follows: · Animal management, cost accounting, and compliance records are essential for effective management of an animal research facility. They should be kept in a relational database system whenever possible.
|
From page 32... ...
· Automatic watering systems are a labor-saving device. However, if water bottles are used, steps should be taken to maximize the efficiency of the change and filling process, such as use of automatic fillers, use of ergonomically designed tools to remove and reinsert sipper tubes, use of bottles with weep holes, and use of larger bottles to reduce change frequency.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.