infection control in the mortuary

Nelson C. Javier

Infection control in Mortuary

Funeral Industry Infection Control

Guidelines

“Each and every human remains that a

funeral service employee comes into

contact with must be considered

potentially infectious”.

Administrative Order no. 2003-003

Revised Implementing Rule and Regulation of PD

856 Code on Sanitation of the Philippines Chapter

XXl “ Disposal of Dead Persons”

Dangerous Communicable Diseases

Hepatitis B and C

Rabies

Invasive group A streptococcal infections

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

(e.g. Creutzfeldt-jacob disease or CJD and madcow disease)

HIV/ AIDS

Meningiococcemia

Viral hemorrhagic fever (e.g. African Ebola, Lassa or Marburg

Yellow fever

Plaque

SARS

Other communicable diseases that shall be declared by the department of health

The body shall be placed in a plastic or other durable,

airtight container at the point of death and labeled with a

biohazard tag.

The outside of durable, airtight container shall be

immediately and thoroughly disinfected.

Remains must be buried within

12 hours after death.

But may be transported to a

place of burial by land or sea

for up to 150 km or 4hrs.

The remain shall not be taken to any place of public

assembly and only adult family members may attend any

funeral service.

Funeral industry infection control

guidelines

Frequent hand washing

Funeral industry infection control

guidelines

a. Any skin disease or injury should be adequately protected

with gloves or impermeable dressing to avoid

contamination with a patient's body fluids.

Use of PPE ( Personal Protective Equipment )

Gloves

Mask

Eye protection

Scrub or Gown and apron

Rubber boots or foot cover

Funeral industry infection control

guidelines

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Funeral industry infection control

guidelines

Routine cleaning and disinfecting

surfaces and instrument

Funeral industry infection control

guidelines

Immunization

Funeral industry infection control

guidelines

Infection Prevention and Control

To minimize any post-

mortem growth of

microorganisms, all human

remains should be placed in

a mortuary refrigerator or

freezer as soon as possible

after death

All human remains

should be well

sealed to prevent

leakage of blood

and body

fluids/substances

Transport of Human Remains

This involves the recovery of the dead body from the

place of death such as hospital, crime or accident

scene, or house and transport to embalming room.

Transport of Human Remains

A. Recommendation for Transport Vehicles

A transport vehicle should be roadworthy, clean and

compartmentalized.

Wear prescribed and decent/ Acceptable attire.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment

Transport of Human Remains

Transport of Human Remains

Confidential Information of

the Deceased person

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504

The Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998”

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504

ARTICLE VI CONFIDENTIALITY

Sec. 30. Medical confidentiality. — All health professionals, medical instructors, workers, employers, recruitment agencies, insurance companies, data encoders, and other custodians of any medical record, file, data, or test results are directed to strictly observe confidentiality in the handling of all medical information, particularly the identity and status of persons with HIV.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504

ARTICLE VII

Discriminatory Acts and Policies

Denial of Burial Services – A deceased person who

had AIDS or who was known, suspected or

perceived to be HIV positive shall not be denied

any kind of decent burial services.

Human Remains Preparation

Waste disposal

Infectious wastes include:

Sharps (syringes, needles, lancets and scalpel blades)

Human tissue

Human blood and body fluids other than urine or feces

Materials or equipment containing or contaminated with

blood and body fluids

Urine or feces, or materials containing urine or feces

Mortuary Cleaning, Waste Disposal

and Laundering

Mortuary Cleaning, Waste Disposal

and Laundering

The preparation areas including the preparation

table, floor and drains should be washed thoroughly

with detergent and water, rinsed and dried.

Mortuary Cleaning, Waste Disposal

and Laundering

Blood stained fluids and disinfectant

solutions should be well diluted before

discharge into the sewer.

Mortuary Cleaning, Waste Disposal

and Laundering

Human tissue and disposable sharps must

be disposed of appropriately.

Single used PPE must be disposed of as infectious waste.

Mortuary Cleaning, Waste Disposal

and Laundering

Contaminated re-usable linen should be placed in a laundry bag for routine laundering.

On completion of all cleaning and disinfection procedures and the disposal of waste and laundry, employees should remove all PPE, avoiding contamination of clothing and dispose of it into either a clinical waste or laundry bag before removing gloves.

Cleaning and Disinfection of Equipment

Employees must thoroughly wash and dry hands.

Washing with anti bacterial soap and disinfection with 70% alcohol

Thank you!!!!