embalming orientation midterm content

embalm

to treat a corpse with preservatives in order to prevent decay

3 reasons why we embalm

disinfection, preservation, and restoration

disinfection

destruction and/or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body

preservation

a chemical that inactivates saprophytic bacteria and attempts to arrest decomposition by converting body tissue to a form less susceptible to decomposition

restoration

treatment of the deceased in the attempt to recreate natural form and color

legislative intent

the public trusts that the safety and welfare is in their best interest

Universal Convictions

Throughout history there have been a great variety of cultures and civilizations that believe in deities, gods, etc. and they all care for the dead

rituals and ceremonies

Release of body, funeral arrangements, religious ceremonies, personal preparation, travel time, transfer of the deceased, financial concerns

ethical practice

principles that govern conduct to establish harmony

judicious counsel

the experienced embalmer makes professional judgements regarding the deceased and can advise families of realistic expectations

defamation of others

use care, never attempt to harm another colleague or competitor

Enticement of another embalmer

from one firm to another that will cause harm to the first firm

accommodation of the family

never deny the family the ability to see their loved one

identification

embalmer must take great care to assure the proper identification of the deceased

observing all laws, rules, and regulations

Embalmer must follow all requirements and must let owner of facility know of resources and capital improvements to meet OSHA and EPA standards

maintaining competence

keep up with CEU's and new innovations

Health, Sanitation, and Protection

must be responsible for protecting the health of anyone who enters the room, sanitization, safe sheltering of human remains

chain of custody

The who, what, when, where, and how the evidence was handled—from its identification through its entire life cycle, which ends with destruction, permanent archiving, or returning ot owner.

embalming is regulated by these two bodies

the board of health AND the state board of funeral directors and embalmers

coroner/medical examiner

need to form a close relationship with this governing body

cause of death

millions of these; the condition or injury that initiated the morbid events leading directly to death

manners of death

natural, accident, suicide, homicide, undetermined

vascular embalming

injection of embalming chemicals in the arteries and drainage from the veins

surface embalming

direct contact of body tissues with embalming chemicals

hypodermic embalming

injection of embalming chemicals into the tissues through the use of a syringe needle or trocar

cavity embalming

direct treatment of the contents of the body cavities and the lumina of the hollow viscera; usually accomplished by aspiration and injection of chemicals using a trocar

anatomical embalming

this type of embalming is different than the standard vascular embalming. It is used for medical school dissection which can last several months or years. Usually multiple gallons are injected into one vessel and no drainage is allowed; this expands all vessels with fluid. Also no cavity aspiration is allowed so as to not harm the anatomy of the internal organs.

3 needs for embalming

disinfection, preservation, restoration

pressure machine

a pump that forces the embalming fluid into the arterial system of the body, mimicking the pressure created by the living heart.

gravity injector

An apparatus used to inject arterial fluid; relies on gravity to create the pressure required to deliver the fluid

Approx 1 pound of pressure is created for every two feet raised above injection site

bulb syringe

self-contained manual pump made from soft rubber designed to create pressure to deliver arterial fluid as it passes through one-way valves located within the bulb

Hydroaspirator

a device using high water pressure which creates a suction. This suction is then used to aspirate the hollow organs and the lumen in the body thereby removing it of gasses and fluids

Electric Aspirator

a device that uses a motor to create a suction for the purpose of aspiration

electric spatula

an electrically-heated blade used to dry moist tissues, reduce swollen tissues, and restore contour to natural form

body lifts

electric or hydraulic lifts for the transfer of the deceased in the funeral home

body positioning devices

head blocks, arm blocks, body rests, all are impermeable to fluids

Arterial Tube (Cannula)

instrument used to inject embalming fluid into the vascular system.

"Y" Arterial tube

an instrument used to inject embalming fluid into the vascular system by utilizing two arteries at the same time. Often used for autopsied cases or restricted cervical cases

Needle Injector

feature-setting device used for mouth closure designed to implant metal pins into bone.

scalpel

general embalming instrument used to make incisions and excisions

incision spreader

in cases where it's difficult to see or work inside an incision due to obesity, trauma, or some other pathological condition, this device spreads the skin and other tissue to make access easier

Aneurysm Hook

an embalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels

Aneurysm Needle

An embalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels, which has an eye in the hook portion of the instrument for placing ligatures around the vessels.

scissors

double blunt, point blunt, double point

forceps

a pair of pincers or tweezers used in surgery or in a lab

vein expander

inserted into a collapsed vein to open it for drainage or placement of the angular spring forceps

grooved director

an instrument used to guide an arterial tube or drainage device into a blood vessel

angular spring forceps

drainage instrument designed for the removal of venous blood clots

seperator

a device to separate and lift tissues, such as muscles, veins, arteries, nerves, ligaments, and tendons

hemostat (locking forceps)

an instrument for preventing the flow of blood vessel by compression of the vessel

drain tube

a drainage instrument used to aid the removal of venous blood

stopcock

A valve device used to open or close the flow of embalming fluid as it moves from the embalming machine tube to the arterial tube.

suture needles

1/2 Circle, 3/8 Circle, Loopyets, Single Curve, Double Curve

nasal tube aspirator

This nasal/oral sucking tube uses hydro or electric suction to clear the decedents nose and the back of the throat.

autopsy aspirator

During the embalming of an autopsy, blood, body fluids, and embalming chemicals collect in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. This device aspirates (removes) the fluid for a safer work environment.

trocar

sharply-pointed aspirating instrument used in cavity embalming to remove gases, liquids, and semi-solids from the body cavities and hollow organs and inject cavity fluid.

trocar button applicator

device used for sealing stoma (hole) caused by the trocar

trocar button

screwed into the hole to seal the trocar opening

hypovalve trocar

A device used to introduce the preservative chemical (formaldehyde) into tissues when the circulatory system has failed for some reason. That reason Could be clotted blood, thrombi, emboli, or extravascular disturbances.

The fluid can only go through this tube when the valve is depressed so the embalmer has control of when and where fluid is to be dispersed.

hypodermic syringe assortment

Vital to any good embalmer for complete tissue preservation, bleaching, and feature building

magnetic needle holder

The only OSHA approved way to store needles. Aim needle point to center of disc or place point under the plastic covering.

sealing agents

material used to provide a barrier or seal against any type of leakage of fluid or blood

external sealant

cauterizes tissue to seal it from leaking

internal sealant

agent/powder absorbs moisture in tissues to prevent leaking

cotton

used for disinfection of orifices, absorption of fluids, and sealing incisions

eyecap

a thin, dome-like shell made of hardened cloth, metal, or plastic placed beneath eyelids to restore natural curvature and to maintain the position of posed eyelids.

mouthformer

A thin, plastic teeth prothesis placed beneath the lips to restore natural curvature and to maintain the position of the lips.

plastic clothing

To be worn on potentially leaking or leaking skin. It creates a barrier between the deceased and the clothing they are to wear. It stays on permanently under clothing.

tubing

Used for the embalming machine fluid distribution and aspiration and cavitation.

thread

when suture ligature is still on the spool

ligature

when suture ligature is off the spool for tying vessels

Adhesives Lip and Lid cement

Various types of liquids and gels are available to assist the embalmer to close eyes and lips and seal sutures and certain skin conditions.

calvarium clamps

A device used as a means of fastening the calvarium after a cranial autopsy.

arterial fluids

Concentrated, preservative, embalming chemical that is diluted with water to form the arterial solution for injection into the arterial system during arterial (vascular) embalming.

Purpose is to inactivate saprophytic bacteria and render the body tissues less susceptible to decomposition.

high index fluid

26 and up

medium index fluid

16-25

low index fluid

5-15

non cosmetic dyes

no active dyes

cavity fluids

concentrated embalming chemical injected into the cavities of the body following the aspiration of the body; can also be used in hypodermic and surface embalming

fixative

agent employed in the preparation of tissues for the purpose of maintaining the existing form of the structure.

fixation

act of making tissue rigid as a result of protein solidification

supplemental fluids

any fluid injected for purposes other than preservation and disinfection

co injection fluid

primarily injected during normal arterial injection used to supplement and enhance the action of vascular (arterial) solutions

pre injection fluid

primarily injected arterially before normal arterial injection used to supplement and enhance the action of vascular solutions

dyes

a coloring that shows on the surface of the skin. come in many colors such as pink. The fluid may be cosmetic or non cosmetic

masking agent

chemical found in arterial fluid having the capability of deplacing an unpleasant odor or of altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one

buffers/water correctives

substance capable of neutralizing acids and bases to maintain a constant pH

anticoagulants

ingredient of embalming fluid that retards the natural postmortem tendency of blood to become viscous and prevents adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals

surfactants

chemical that reduces the molecular cohesion and surface tension of a liquid so it can flow through smaller apertures

humectants

chemical that increases the ability of embalmed tissue to retain moisture

edema fluid

fluids that help reduce abnormal accumulation of fluids in tissues or body cavities

jaundice chemicals

low formaldehyde arterial fluid with bleaching and coloring qualities for use on bodies with jaundice. High formaldehyde range fluids solutions have adverse effects on the body

bleaching agent

chemical used to lighten a skin discoloration

counterstaining

technique using active dye in an attempt to cover internal discolorations such as jaundice

accessory chemicals

a group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity embalming fluids; most are applied to the body surface.

hardening compound

Chemical in powder form that has the ability to absorb and to disinfect. Often used in cavity treatment of autopsied cases.

mold preventative

agent which prohibit the growth of mold.

preservative powder

chemical in powder form; typically used for surface embalming of the remains

coagulating agent

chemical or physical agent that brings about coagulation

phenol

antiseptic/disinfectant used to dry moist tissues and bleach skin discolorations