13
III. Transportation
A. Animals must be transported to and from clinical areas in an enclosed,
escape-proof container that is opaque or concealed. If the animal is too
large for a carrier (eg, pigs), it should be anesthetized prior to entry to
the healthcare facility, restrained, and covered by a blanket.
B. Transportation routes should be utilized that minimize the potential for
contact with patients or the public.
C. Service elevators should be used whenever possible.
D. Animals and patients or patient-care items should not be transported
on the same elevator.
IV. Procedures in Patient-Care Areas
A. Animals should be prepared prior to transport as indicated for the
procedure (eg, hair removal, skin preparation, bladder catheterization,
intravenous access).
B. Whenever possible, procedures should be done in the housing area or
otherwise away from human clinical areas.
C. All mobile equipment and materials not needed for the animal
procedure should be removed from the procedure room.
D. Consider covering the examination table with leak-proof plastic
sheeting that is lined with absorbent material.
E. Doors to the procedure room should be closed, and a " Do Not Enter"
sign should be posted.
F. Appropriate personal protective equipment should be utilized by
personnel.
V. Equipment
A. Use of disposable equipment is desirable.
B. When using equipment that is also used on patients, only equipment
that has an established protocol for proper and effective cleaning and
can be effectively disinfected or sterilized (as appropriate) should be
used.
C. Medical or surgical instruments, especially those invasive instruments
that are difficult to clean (eg, endoscopes) that are used on animals
should be reserved for future use only on animals.
D. Only disposable or dedicated equipment should be used if there is any
chance such equipment may be contaminated with prions (eg, bovine
spongiform encephalopathy or scrapie).
