Strategies That Influence Cost Containment in Animal Research Facilities (2000) / Chapter Skim
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Integration of Design, Equipment, Operation, and Staffing: A Contemporary Case Study
Integration of Design, Equipment, Operation, and Staffing: A Contemporary Case Study
Pages 39-47
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From page 39... ...
The ability to genetically alter mice has led to exponential population growth and changes in the physical environment for their care. The impetus for the change is the value of these genetically altered animals, rising operational and per diem costs, and the difficulty in attracting and retaining highly qualified animal care staff.
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From page 40... ...
, typically indicates, on the basis of committee experience, a payback period of under 5 years for the higher initial investment. Payback periods will vary considerably, depending on the current and projected cage-rack systems, cage-changing frequencies, use of water bottles or automatic watering, mechanical HVAC capacity, room size and configuration, and volume equipment discounts.
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From page 41... ...
because of cost savings, ventilation redundancy, and lower maintenance costs. At Baylor College of Medicine's new facility, the decision to build a HEPA-filtered building supply system instead of using individual rack systems saved over $16,000/room (supply and exhaust HEPA blowers would cost $2,500/ rack, and each room has nine racks, for a cost of $22,500/room; but building supply, exhaust, and ductwork cost only $6,500/room)
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From page 42... ...
Changing standard 16-oz water bottles weekly and cages every 2 weeks might be practical, especially where the water bottle is outside the cage. At Baylor College of Medicine, investigators' rejection of automatic watering necessitated redesign of the low-profile microisolator top to accommodate a 28oz water bottle and a 2-week cage-changing frequency.
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From page 43... ...
During cagechanging, an animal transfer station is moved down the 5-ft aisle, bringing the transfer station to the cage, in contrast with what happens with the library style configuration, in which cages are brought to the transfer station. Single-sided ventilated racks cost 75% as much as double-sided racks, and the drawback to this design is higher equipment costs.
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From page 44... ...
The principal motivation for using robotics in Sweden is the recognition that the highest percentage of work-related injuries in an animal facility occur in the cage-washing area because of repetitive-motion injuries, sensitization to allergens created during cage-dumping, and heavy lifting. To comply with occupational health and safety rules in Sweden, which require proof that a task associated with health hazards can be performed only by humans, directors of animal research facilities have explored the use of robotics.
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From page 45... ...
Clean bedding can be automatically dispensed at the end of tunnel washers by manually filling hoppers of an automatic bedding dispenser from 40 to 50-lb bedding bags. Vacuum bedding systems can be used manually or in conjunction with robots to pneumatically transport soiled bedding to remote dumpsters and transport clean bedding to bedding dispensers.
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From page 46... ...
Most animal facilities are serviced from within the facility through access panels or lay-in hung-ceiling assemblies that require a 14- to 16-ft floor-to-floor height. A partial interstitial or full interstitial space above an animal facility is desirable and sometimes essential to maintain a barrier or containment facility, eliminate the need for access panels or lay-in hung ceilings, restrict personnel access, reduce noise, and perform routine or emergency maintenance.
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From page 47... ...
Robotic equipment may prove to be a viable investment for institutions processing as few as 2,000-2,500 cages daily. · Interstitial space for access to the animal facility mechanical areas should be provided because these areas require frequent preventive maintenance and repair services that are disruptive to ongoing research and smooth facility operations.
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