Small Animal Isolation and Cleaning

Implementation Date: 4/2013

Date of Last Revision: 11/2021

Next Review Due: 11/2024

 

Reviewed by VTH Administrative Team: 3/3/2021

Reviewed by VTH Board: N/A

 

Reviewed by Legal Counsel: N/A

Reviewed by Biosecurity Subcommittee: 3/3/2020

Subject to modification by the Biosecurity Subcommittee of the CVM Occupational Health and Safety Committee without approval.

Policy

This policy provides directions for cleaning the Isolation Treatment and Cage Rooms in the Small Animal Clinic (SAC).

Guidelines

Procedures defined herein are designed to eliminate the presence of potentially infectious pathogens from the Isolation ward and to prevent exposure of personnel or animals to infectious pathogens.

• When cleaning the SAC Isolation, individuals will wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is appropriate to provide protection against any potential pathogen known (or suspected) to have been present in the space.
• All Items to be cleaned will remain in Isolation while being cleaned.
• All surfaces in the room and of equipment will be cleaned with a broad-spectrum disinfectant with antiviral properties.
• Disposable foot covers will be worn whenever a person is entering the SAC Isolation treatment or cage rooms and will be removed when leaving the rooms. Foot coverings worn in SAC Isolation treatment of cage rooms must be removed prior to entering the Clean room or into the SAC proper.

The following supplies will be kept in the SAC Isolation for cleaning purposes.

• 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) Wipes
• 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) concentrate
• Mop Bucket and mop
• 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) diluted 1:16 spray bottle
• Scrub brush
• Small bucket for soap solution
• Soap and water solution
• PPE: full body suit, gloves, safety face shield

Procedure (if applicable)

1. Don appropriate PPE to enter Isolation
2. Fill the mop bucket with water and add the appropriate dilution 0.5% hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) concentrate to 1:16 dilution to bucket
3. Decontaminate all equipment by cleaning with 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) Wipes
   a. Allow surface to remain wet for 1 minute
   b. After cleaning and drying, return equipment in appropriate location
4. Clean and disinfect any grates or mats
   a. Scrub any grates or mats with scrub brush and soap solution
   b. Rinse with water and dry
   c. Spray with 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) diluted 1:16 spray bottle
   d. Allow surface to remain wet for 5 minutes
   e. Either rinse with water and dry or allow to dry completely with product and set outside door once cleaned
5. Clean and disinfect cage
   a. Remove doors and clean in isolation treatment room tub, be sure to get every surface
   b. Scrub cage doors with scrub brush and soap solution
   c. Rinse with water and dry
   d. Scrub cage with scrub brush and soap solution
   e. Rinse with water and dry
   f. Replace doors once they are dried and the cage has been cleaned
   g. Spray entire cage including door with 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) diluted 1:16 spray bottle
   h. Allow surface to remain wet for 5 minutes
   i. Either rinse with water and dry or allow to dry completely with product
6. Wipe down every surface of the rooms and equipment with 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) Wipes (contact time 1 minute) or 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) diluted 1:16 spray bottle (contact time 5 minutes) and paper towels:
   a. All walls and doors
   b. Cabinets
   c. Counters
   d. Tub
   e. Garbage cans
   f. Paper towel holder
   g. Counter above cages
   h. Supply/medication bins on cage room wall
   i. All bottles
   j. Clippers and clipper blade (care should be used not to allow the solution to enter the clipper motor)
   k. All isolation instruments
   l. Scales
7. Mop the floors in the cage and treatment rooms (not the clean/prep room) with 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide (Rescue®) diluted in the mop bucket allow surface to remain wet for 5 minutes
8. Properly dispose of any disposable items such as unused drugs, bottles, saline flushes, wrapping material, tape (use biohazard containers as appropriate)
9. Note supplies needed and give to IMC technician on duty

Definitions (if applicable)

Broad Spectrum Disinfectant with antiviral properties- aldehyde based (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde), sodium hypochlorite based (bleach), oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, Virkon S).

Decontamination- The process of cleansing an object or substance to remove contaminants such as microorganisms or hazardous materials, including chemicals, radioactive substances and infectious diseases.

PPE- Personal Protective Equipment- Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits.

Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) - The collective clinical services of the Large Animal Clinic, Midwest Equine, the Small Animal Clinic, and the Veterinary Medicine South Clinic.