Procedure Data Sheet FAQ

When do I use this form?

The Procedure Data Sheet is also used to schedule use of an ARC operating room for survival or nonsurvival surgery with any animal species.

What procedures have to take place before I submit the Procedure Planning Sheet?

You must have an approved IACUC protocol describing the surgical procedure you intend to perform. You and your staff must be proficient in handling and restraint of the species you intend to use. You must also be familiar with anesthesia, surgical asepsis, and pre and postoperative care of the surgical subjects. The ARC Training and Compliance Coordinator can provide an orientation to the Animal Resource Center and training in all of the above.

What happens next?

If this is the first time you will be performing this type of surgery on animals in the ARC the Veterinary Technician assigned to Research Technical Services will arrange a meeting with you and your staff prior to the surgery.

You will go over what type of surgical preparation is needed, (e.g., preoperative fast, or other treatment).

If the ARC will be providing the anesthesia and surgical prep you will discuss the type of anesthesia used, the location of the surgical incision(s) and the location and size of the area to be shaved and surgically prepped. You may bring your own sterilized surgical pack, equipment and surgical garb, or you may ask the ARC to provide this. The ARC can provide both steam and ethylene oxide sterilization of your equipment.

You will discuss postoperative care of your animals, use of analgesia, antibiotics or other postoperative treatments. You will be asked to estimate the degree of pain and/or distress that will be experienced by your animals post operatively. Unless otherwise proven, assume that animals will experience a similar degree of pain/distress as humans undergoing a similar procedure.

The following table lists the charges associated with various procedures Veterinary Services personnel may perform for you. You may elect to do any of these procedures yourself.

What happens on the day before surgery?

Don't forget to place a NO FOOD sign on the animal's cage during the afternoon of the day before the surgical procedure. Check the animal' medical record to confirm that no preexisting problem exists.

What will happen on the day of surgery?

The ARC veterinary technician will have the operating room and all of your equipment prepared and organized.

What are my responsibilities?

Be on time. Be prepared. Make sure all members of your staff have been properly trained. Have all of the equipment you may need available.

What type of record keeping must I maintain?

The Anesthesia Recovery form is used to document recovery from anesthesia for non-rodents. If the animal has been intubated continuous monitoring is required until extubation. Monitoring of non-intubated animals must be performed and documented at no more than 30-minute intervals until the animal is able to maintain a sternal posture without assistance. Complete this form after every anesthetic procedure (even if surgery is not involved). File the Anesthesia Recovery form in the animal's medical records folder.

After surgical procedures the Postoperative Evaluation form is used to document the animal's condition during the first postoperative week. The animal's condition must be assessed at least daily. If any abnormalities are noted, they must be addressed in detail on the Research Animal Clinical Record form. Use the SOAP format in the Clinical Record form:
" S = Subjective - The observer's impressions
" O = Objective - What can be observed or measured
" A = Assessment - The conclusions based on what is noted above
" P = Plan - The diagnostic and treatment plan

The components of proper postoperative care consist of
" Adequate frequency of observation - noting appetite, elimination and activity. Daily observation is required until sutures are removed or for animals wearing bandages, Elizabethan collars or other restraint apparatuses.
" Provision of analgesia (pain relief) - or documentation that animal appears free of significant pain
" Surgical wound observation and care if needed
" Suture removal at 14 days post op

How do I recognize pain or distress?

Different species and individual animals within a single species may vary in response to painful stimuli and expression of pain. In general, rabbits and rodents tend to mask signs of pain. Pain may be manifested by changes in one or more of the following:

" ACTIVITY: Overall activity level will generally decrease with pain. Some animals may show restlessness (pacing in cage) or agitation, or be non-weight bearing.

" APPEARANCE: Animal may be hunched, have a rough hair coat, have discharge around eyes and nose (i.e. porphyrin staining in rats may indicate stress from pain) or be recumbent.

" TEMPERAMENT: Animal may become more aggressive (biting, scratching); it may shy away from being handled or it may become apathetic.

" VOCALIZATIONS: An animal in pain may make auditory noises (teeth grinding) while undisturbed in cage or when being handled. Some animals that would normally vocalize may not when pain is present such as birds.

" FEEDING BEHAVIOR: Water and food intake is often decreased when an animal is in pain. A reduction in body weight, hydration, urine or feces may be measured.

" PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES: Respiration rate and pattern, blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, skin color and body temperature can all be changed considerably from normal when an animal is in pain.

" APPEARANCE OF SURGERY SITE: Erythema, swelling (joint effusion) or swelling of tissue around incision and discharge may indicate pain in an animal; animal may show excessive licking and/or chewing at incision site or an affected limb if it is painful.

What if something goes wrong?

ARC Veterinary Services veterinarians are available to provide assessment, diagnosis, necropsy and consultation services. Contact a veterinarian immediately if your animal experiences any of the following conditions:

During surgery:
" Anesthetic emergency or intraoperative death
Postoperatively:
" Loss of appetite
" Depression, unwillingness or inability to move
" Swelling, separation of or discharge from the surgical incision
" Vomiting or diarrhea

Use a Morbidity/Mortality Report form to identify the animal in need of veterinary attention.

" Fill out the form as completely as possible
" Be sure to check the box at the top of the form
" Leave the copy with the red CWRU logo on the animal cage.
" Return the top two copies to the Vet Tech lab, EB012A, and place in labeled mailbox