External laboratories where animal experiments are conducted (terminal)

There are different procedures and guidelines applying to external laboratories where animal experiments are conducted (terminal) that must be followed.

In general:

• Researchers needing to transfer animals to external laboratories must follow the guidelines outlined below.
• Only animals from animal units may be transferred to external laboratories for terminal experiments and neither live nor dead animals nor biological material must return to the original unit.
• Animals must not be housed longer than one working day in an external laboratory.
• It is recommended that animals in external laboratories are housed in a ventilated cabinet connected to the central ventilation (e.g. Scantainer) or in cages with a filter top or similar.

Laboratory interior and procedures

When organizing the interior of an external laboratory, AEM's general guidelines should be followed:

Laboratory interior and procedures outside AEM (PDF in Danish)

In addition, AEM's procedures regarding the use of personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfection and waste management must be followed.

Laboratory classification

The laboratory must have the classification 'GMO animals' class 1 or class 2, in the case of animals originating from an AEM unit or room with such a classification.

Cleaning and disinfection

The interior of the rooms must be organized so that they can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Likewise, instruments and other research equipment must be unaffected by Virkon S or H202. (Please see special requirements for animals from unit 16-2).

Transportation

Transportation of animals must take place in accordance with the following guidelines:

Transportation of animals and microorganisms internally (PDF)

Quarantine

When working with animals, you must maintain the same level of quarantine as that applying at the AEM unit from which the animals originated.

Rooms or LAF benches (LAF is the same as a safety bench) and used equipment must be cleaned and disinfected with Virkon S.

Special requirements for animals from unit 16-2

If you only open cages from 16-2 inside a LAF bench and keep all the animals and materials in the bench, it will be sufficient to clean and disinfect the LAF bench thoroughly with Virkon S, and spray all used materials that leave the bench. You must wear gloves and an extra disposable lab coat.

If animals from unit 16-2 are used in open spaces in the laboratory, you must hang a sign on the door with the text "Limited access! We are working with animals from the quarantine unit 16-2". Personnel in the laboratory will be of the same quarantine status as in unit 16-2. You must designate a sluice zone, where you wear overalls/disposable lab coats and overshoes and hair nets. After the work is completed, the entire room must be cleaned and disinfected using H202 before the room can lose its 16-2 quarantine stays.

If you need help, please contact AEM's technical team or email them at: emed-teknik@sund.ku.dk.  

Guidance from AEM

If animals are taken from units with different health status (quarantine status), it is recommended that you review the situation with a veterinarian from AEM. This will enable you to identify the appropriate procedures and conditions to comply with AEM's quarantine requirements.

Please contact emed-vet@sund.ku.dk if you need help.

Other

It is recommended that, as far as possible, work with animals takes place in a safety bench, fume cupboard or with other process ventilation in order to reduce exposure to allergens, to reduce the risk of cross-infection and to facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

It should be noted that AEM is AAALAC accredited and that the accreditation includes external laboratories where experimental animals are used.