SystemSURE Plus

Last Review Date: December 10, 2020


I. Purpose

The Hygiena SystemSURE Plus sanitation monitoring system allows LAR staff to monitor sanitation practices and the environment. SystemSURE Plus detects ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) which is present in all organic material. If ATP is detected then the surface monitored has not been sufficiently cleaned.

II. Responsibility
 It is the responsibility of the LAR staff to monitor the sanitation of the animal environment and the water supply in all animal facilities.

III. Monitoring sanitation and water in animal facilities

A.  Monitoring sanitized caging (primary housing) will be done at the beginning of the
      month as follows:

  • Health Science Building (HSB)
    • Rat and mouse boxes
    • Hamster boxes
    • Degu boxes
  • Skaggs Building (SB)
    • SPF mouse boxes
  • South Skaggs Building (SSB) 
    • SPF mouse boxes

B.  Monitoring the water in all animal facilities will be conducted quarterly

  • Water monitoring will be done quarterly (January, April, July, and October)
  • HSB, SB, south SB, and the Field Research Station Ft. Missoula 
    • Water should be tested furthest away in the facility from the incoming water source
      • HSB- toward the east end of the building (006A or 007).
      • SB- cage wash room (034) for the old part of the building and Rm 027 for the new part of the building.

C.  Monitoring sanitized water bottle lixits will be conducted quarterly

  • HSB 
    • mouse lixit
    • rat lixit
    • hamster lixit
    • degu lixit
  • North Skaggs Building
    • mouse lixit
  • South Skaggs Building
    • mouse lixit

D.  Monitoring the surgical suite will occur when the suite is in use

IV. Procedure

  • Getting started
    • Press the red power ON/OFF button (program will default to Program #0)
    • Select test plan.
      • Press*key to get to menu (Select User ID will appear)
      • Use up arrow key to get to the test plan menu
      • Press OK key - plan # will flash
      • Use arrow keys to locate the desired plan
      • Press OK to select the plan
    • Select location within the plan (or select location without selecting plan)
      • Press the P key.
      • Use arrow keys to locate the desired location.
      • Press OK to select the location.
  • Calibration (monthly, use positive/negative control kit to verify accuracy of SystemSure- step by step directions for the positive control kit are listed in the Hygiena instruction booklet)
  • Testing 
    • Ultrasnap Swabs - Environmental Testing
      • Obtain swab from drugs & medical supply refrigerator in HSB 016.
      • Let swabs sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before testing.
      • DO NOT touch the bottom end of the test tube.
      • Withdraw the swab by gently pulling and twisting the swab from the swab tube.
      • Swab surface in a four by four-inch square (~100 square centimeters) while rotating swab.
      • Put swab back into swab tube.
      • Hold the swab tube firmly and use the thumb and forefinger to break the Snap Valve by bending the bulb forward and backward, snapping it completely off.
      • Squeeze the bulb twice to expel the liquid.
      • Shake swab tube back and forth for 5-10 seconds.
      • Open the lid on SystemSURE and insert the swab tube, holding the device upright (90-degree angle).
      • Close lid and press OK.
      • Results will appear in 15 seconds.
    • Aquasnap Swabs - Water Testing 
      • Obtain swab from drugs & medical supply refrigerator in HSB 016.
      • Let swabs sit at room temperature for 2-5 minutes before testing.
      • Do not touch the bottom end of the test tube.
      • Withdraw the swab by gently pulling and twisting the swab from the swab tube.
      • Submerge sample collection tip in sample water.  Aquasnap will collect 100 microliters of sample.
      • Put swab back in swab tube and gently shake to release sample off the collection tip and into swab tube.
      • Hold the swab tube firmly and use the thumb and forefinger to break the Snap Valve by bending the bulb forward and backward, snapping it completely off.
      • Squeeze the bulb twice to expel the liquid.
      • Shake swab tube back and forth for 5-10 seconds.
      • Open the lid on SystemSURE and insert the swab tube, holding the device upright (90-degree angle).
      • Close lid and press OK.
      • Results will appear in 15 seconds.

V. Downloading data to the computer

  • Open the SureTrend program located under the start menu on the Health Science Building computer.
  • Attach phone cord (connected to the back of the computer) to SystemSURE by opening lid them lifting the rubber piece next to the swab tube insert location.
    • Remember to tuck the rubber piece flat after unplugging the phone cord or the unit will not read correctly during the next test session.
  • Turn on the unit after plugged into the computer.
  • Click on the "synchronize" button on SureTrend's main page.
  • Select "Com4" when the pop-up window appears.
  • New test results will automatically be uploaded.
  • After test results are loaded, another pop-up window will ask if you want to erase test memory.  Select "yes."

VI. Interpreting data

  • Baseline measurements were determined from double washed cages, pans, and floors (measurements from slightly soiled items were also pretested when determining the range of measurements taken with the SystemSURE).  Monthly sanitization monitoring results should be near the baseline measurements.  If the numbers remain high after sanitation, then use Peroxigard or 10% bleach to clean caging, primary housing, or surgical suite and retest.
    • Health Sciences Building baseline measurements.
      • Rat and mouse caging: baseline of 0
      • Rabbit pans: baseline of 0
      • Surgical suite (surgery table, floor): baseline of 0
    • Skaggs/South Skaggs Building baseline measurements.
      • Mouse caging: baseline of 0
    • Water baseline measurements
      • HSB, SB, and the Field Research Station Fort Missoula: baseline of 0

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