Etiology of Disease and the Practitioner Various Different Microorganisms (Continued)

  Presently, it is important to meet the criteria of current rules and regulations of the Health Department and the European Union Directives in meeting the challenges of today.

  Misinformation exists regarding infections of the upper respiratory tract in the young and elderly. This information is critical following death and removal handling of the remains. Upper respiratory infections are either viral or bacterial and do not respond to antibiotic treatment. This results in a focal point of aerosol transmissions when handling a body.

  Anatomically the upper respiratory is a passageway from the lips and nose to the trachea and bronchi. This area is a possible cross contamination from the body of the deceased to the embalmer. If the upper respiratory system is not treated from the time of removal to presentation, a potential hazard may exist. It is the little things we do, such as primary disinfecting of the body, that prevent problems.

  If a person is a potential eye donor, avoid contact with the eyes. The placement of wet cotton over the closed eyelids is essential until the cornea or eyeball is removed.

  The upper respiratory region consists of the oral, nasal and pharyngeal cavities which are the entrance to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts and connecting passages. They contribute to the development so infections which may be irrelevant to the embalming process but must be addressed in the preservation of a body. Incomplete saturation of the preservation chemical and conversion of the tissue into an inert substance may prevent bacterial/viral growth.

  Anytime a body system has a direct orifice to the environment, the embalmer is in potential danger to infection while handling the body. The lower respiratory network is vulnerable to a wide variety of microorganisms because it is an organ system which directly communicates with the environment. Its physiologic process, the exchange of gases, can result in the exposure to bacteria, fungus, viruses and other opportunistic pathogenic agents. This is due to the entire blood circulation which passes through the pulmonary capillary network and produces secondary infections. This predisposes a potential health hazard to body handlers. Chronic respiratory diseases are a common cause of cross contamination following death due to improper handling of the deceased.

  It is not uncommon that funeral service personnel are not aware of the fact that antibiotic resistant opportunistic microorganisms may be active within the pulmonary tissue. The major concern is what type of organisms can reproduce in the necrotic tissue and what their life span is after death.

  The diaphragm is a natural barrier between the thoracic and abdominal cavities and must be treated on an individual basis. The diaphragm is a musculofibrous partition separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities and is a major respiratory muscle. It extends from the Xiphoid process of the sternum to the twelfth thoracic vertebrae. The thoracic region contains the pleural, pericardial and mediastinum cavities. Inferior to the diaphragm we find the abdominopelvic cavity which is divided into nine regions or four quadrants.

  Aspiration techniques using the diaphragm as a cross contamination barrier is essential to the preservation process. Use a single insertion point posterior the Xiphoid process. Using this point as a double insertion point, one superior to the diaphragm and one inferior to the diaphragm, will provide one entry point for a separation of the two cavities.

  Part 20 will provide other options for dealing with the treatment of the cavity area.