Treating every body as a potential hazard no matter what the cause of death is essential. During life everyone has a natural defense system which is influenced by one’s genetic makeup, state of nutrition, psychological makeup and over all lifestyle.
An accident case or autopsied body where intestinal content and blood are found within the cavities presents a hostile work environment to the practitioner. Fecal, mucoid and blood can harbor a variety of microbes and toxins. The organs are removed from the cavities and placed in a plastic bag for treatment before returning back to the body.
The practitioner then places the organs in a bucket lined with a special visceral plastic bag, sections and saturates them with 6-32 ounces of cavity chemical. The operator then may flush the cavities with water (no protective or disinfectant value), spray cavity with disinfectant and start the embalming process.
Empty containers used in the preparation should be thoroughly rinsed with water prior to being discarded. All plastic containers should be crushed prior to final disposal to prevent cross contamination or accidental use.
The autopsied body adds additional hazards to the practitioner. Cuts through the bone leave sharp edges which can puncture or cut through gloves. All these area should be sprayed with a disinfectant. Ribs should be draped with Prep Toweling to protect the practitioner from injury while working with the cavities.
Formulation of the components of disinfectants should be tested on an on-going basis for effectiveness against potentially harmful pathogenic micro-organisms to prevent harmful effects to the practitioner. Quality control and effectiveness must be maintained by a staff research chemist specifically dedicated to sanibalm mortuary technology.
Following are several disinfectants, preservative chemicals and sundries available for use to the embalmer.
1. No rinse antiseptic hand cream used prior to gloving and removal of gloves (latex, rubber or nitrile)
2. Cold instrument disinfectant which should be diluted according to distributor’s directions to make 1 gallon of working solution Color change indicates loss of microbial effectiveness.
3. A pressurized insecticide and insect repelling chemical effectively kill and leaves a residue to prevent maggot infestation of body orifices.
4. A heavy viscous form of disinfectant and preservative to dehydrate edematous extremities and provide secondary treatment for areas not infused by normal injection techniques. Also used for external packs providing its own adhesiveness to secure vinyl or saran wrap. May be used with rubber or plastic goods.
5. Osmotic cavity preservative which is the highest strength used for rapid depth penetration through intestinal walls reacting on intestinal flora to deodorize, disinfect and preserve viscera mass.
6. Vaseline which is used for proper mouth and eye closure insuring proper alignment and prevents dehydration thereby achieving a natural expression.
7. An anti-dehydrator for eye, nose and mouth cleaner to deodorize and presser without stain or dehydration.
8. A non-irritating, non-flammable liquid spray disinfectant that destroys virus on contact. Used in primary and terminal disinfection procedures of the body and body orifices
9. Non-formaldehyde visceral and topical preservative diluted and injected into edematous tissue to reduce moisture content. Used to hypodermically fix fatty tissue locally or to radiate to large fatty areas reinforcing arterial fluid.
10. A disinfectant which kills HIV-3 virus on pre-cleaned environmental surfaces/objects previously soiled with blood/body fluids.
11. Heavy weight polyethylene bags which are impervious to chemicals. Used to treat viscera from autopsied bodies and provide a safe barrier against biological/chemical hazards.
Part 11 will cover the Etiology of Disease.