Embalming 3 week 8

document all medical devices and their disposition

• Surgical drain

• Urinary catheter

• Intravenous injection

• Arteriovenous shunt 

• Colostomy 

• Tracheotomy tube 

• Pacemaker 

  • Feeding tube

Surgical drain

• Can be removed before or after arterial embalming 

• Pack with cotton saturated with phenol, autopsy gel, or undiluted cavity fluid

  • Close with purse string suture or trocar button prior to cavity embalming 

urinary catheter

• Remove  prior to arterial embalming

  • Cut small side vent with scissors to collapse balloon 

  • Pull from body

• If placed though abdominal wall, close with purse string suture of trocar button

• Can be packed with saturated cotton

  • Dispose in biohazard container

intravenous injection (I.V)

• Can remain in place during injection

• Can be removed after arterial and cavity embalming

  • Cauterant can be added to the area to prevent leakage 

arteriovenous shunt

• Will be placed intravenously 

• Leave in place

• Will not interrupt drainage or distribution

colostomy

• Diverts a section of the colon to an opening

• Stool drains into the colostomy bag from a stoma

• Bag can be removed before or after arterial embalming

  • Stoma is then visible

  • Irrigate any remaining fecal matter

  • Placed saturated cotton over stoma

  • Push it back into the abdominal opening

• Close with purse string suture

• Close to prevent leakage

  • Dispose of bag in biohazard container

tracheotomy tube

• Keeps the stoma and the trachea open to assist breathing

• Need to be removed prior to embalming

• Disinfect the area

• Pack with saturated cotton

• Close with a purse string suture

  • Cover with wax once dry

pacemarker

• Can be removed before or after embalming

  • MUST be removed before cremation

• Semilunar incision made along the edge of the device

• Pull the device out carefully 

• Cut the two electrical leads

• Discard in biohazard box

• Baseball suture can be used to close incision

• Can interfere with blood drainage if removed prior to embalming

case analysis prep for body without embalming

1. Document ALL body conditions

2. Document ALL prep procedures

3. Document Identification

   1. Secure authorization to prepare for identification

preparation for id of body with no embalming

1. No invasive procedures

2. Elevation

   1. Prevent discolorations

3. Disinfection

   1. Body surface

   2. External orifices

4. Set features

5. Secure intravenous devices

   1. Remove as required

6. Massage cream

   1. Plastic garments dressing

additional body prep for unembalmed people

• Permission given for LIMITED invasive procedures

  • Shaving 

  • Set features

    • Aspirate and inject cavity fluid

prep for viewing of the body received from another FH

• Proper practice

  • Remove from shipping container

  • Inspect the body - DOCUMENT

  • Review embalming report

  • Aspirate and reinject as necessary 

  • Perform restoration and apply cosmetics

  • Complete receiving funeral home case report

• Receiving report information

  • Conditions of the body as received from shipping funeral home

  • Treatments performed receiving funeral home 

WHEN IN DOUBT…PLASTIC IT OUT