New animal health reports
June 1, 2009
To better communicate health monitoring results, we’ve recently improved our Animal Health Reports. The new reports more clearly indicate which agents are excluded and what actions are taken if any are discovered in a particular barrier.
The improved reports also distinguish whether mice originate from Production or Repository facilities or from our Research Animal Facility (RAF). Distinguishing among these is important because, in most cases, agent exclusion lists and shipping policies in the event of a microbial contamination are somewhat different for RAF rooms than they are for Production and Repository barriers.
Notably, whereas mouse norovirus (MNV) is excluded from Production and Repository barriers, it is only excluded from elevated RAF barriers. For example, if MNV were found in a Production or Repository barrier, shipping from that barrier would stop. However, if it were found in an RAF barrier, shipping would not stop, but the occurrence of MNV would be noted on the health report for the affected room (see list of agents monitored and policy for communication of changes in health status).
Two changes help make the distinction between Production and Repository facilities vs. RAF:
- Whereas the reports from RAF barriers bear the title "Research Facility" in white text on a dark background, the reports for Production and Repository facilities are dark text on a light background;
- Whereas Production and Repository barriers are designated as Maximum, High, and Standard, RAF barriers are designated as Elevated, Intermediate, and Low (see overview of barrier levels)
