Sixth Edition Embalming History, Theory, And Practice Chapters 1-3

Arterial Embalming

the use of the blood vascular system of the body for temporary preservation, disinfection and restoration; accomplished through injection of embalming solutions into the arteries and drainage from the veins

Balsamic

resins combined with oil; a fragrant, resinous, oily exudate from various trees and plants

Case Report

detailed listing of body conditions and treatments performed by funeral personnel for all bodies received into facility for preparation.

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.

Decay

Decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria

Decedent Care Report

documentation of body conditions and subsequent treatments when sheltering, or preparing a body for visual identification prior to cremation; or for a body received from another facility.

Decomposition

separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes

Embalming

Process of chemically treating human remains to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to temporarily inhibit organic decomposition, and to restore an acceptable physical appearance.

Human Remains

body of a deceased person, including cremated remains

hypodermic injection

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

Notification of Death

A public announcement that someone has died.

Restoration

Treatment of the deceased in the attempt to recreate natural form and color.

Sanitation

maintaining a clean condition in order to promote hygiene and prevent disease

Surface Embalming

the direct contact of body tissues with embalming chemicals

Temporary Preservation

Temporary process which prevents, retards, and controls postmortem changes known as decomposition

Transfer of remains

The moving of the dead human body from the place of death to the funeral home or other designated place.

Action Level

The specific point at which an 8 hour exposure is unsafe, the level of a harmful or toxic substance which requires medical surveillance.

Aerosolization

To disperse as an aerosol; minute particles of blood and water become atomized and suspended in air when water under pressure meets the blood drainage or when flushing an uncovered flush sink.

Aspesis

being free from infection

Airborne pathogen

Bacteria or viruses that are most commonly transmitted through small respiratory droplets

Bacterial

pertaining to bacteria

Bacteriostatic

agent that slows or stops the growth of bacteria

Biological hazard

Biological agent or condition that constitutes a hazard to humans.

Blood borne pathogens

microorganisms in human blood which can cause infection and disease in humans

Blood borne pathogen standard

OSHA mandated requirements protection against micro organisms transmitted in blood (hep b and HIV). Regulates employees exposure to blood and other bodily fluids

cold chemical sterilant

A method that requires the sanitation of reusable instruments using liquid chemicals approved by the FDA

Concurrent Disinfection

disinfection practices carried out during the embalming process

Decontamination

The neutralization or removal of dangerous substances or germs from an area, or an object, or person.

Disinfect

to cleanse of harmful organisms

Employee right to know laws

laws stating employees have the right to know dangers associated with hazard substances, harmful physical or infectious agents they might encounter at work

Engineering controls

Mechanical systems and devices engineered into the architecture of a building, for example, exhaust systems, sanitary plumbing

exposure control plan

plan that outlines specific work practices to prevent exposure to infectious material and identifies step-by-step procedures to follow when exposures do occur

Formaldehyde Standard

OSHA REGULATION (29 CFR 1910.1048) limiting the amount of occupational exposure to formaldehyde gas.

Germicide

a substance that destroys microorganisms

Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA standard that requires employers to notify employees when hazardous chemicals are present in the workplace and to train employees to work with them safely.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

sheet that provides information on the safe use of and hazards of chemicals, as well as emergency steps to take in the event chemicals are splashed, sprayed, or ingested

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

The main federal agency charged with regulating safety and health in the workplace.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

the maximum legal limits established by OSHA for regulated substances. These are based on employee exposure that is time weighted over an 8 hour work shift. When these limits are exceeded, employers must take proper steps to reduce employee exposure. For formaldehyde, the PEL is .75 ppm.

Respirator Standard

OSHA regulation for respirators. Two provisions must be followed:

1 Employees must be fitted to see if a respirator is

appropriate for them

2 A personal respirator must be fitted to each

individual and refitted regularly

Sanitizer

compound such as soap or detergent that sanitizes

squeegee effect

When the needle passes through the glove before it reaches the skin, reducing the # of organisms introduced when the needle stick occurs.

Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL)

Legal limits established by OSHA to which workers can be exposed continuously for a short period of time without damage or injury. Exposures at the STEL should not be for more than 15 minutes and not repeated more than 4 times per work day.

Sterilization

The process that completely destroys all microbial life, including spores.

Terminal Disinfection

disinfection carried out after the embalming process

Time Weighted Average (TWA)

an evaluation of exposures that are time-weighted over an established period. It allows the exposure levels to be averaged generally over an 8-hour time period

work practice controls

procedures that reduce the likelihood of exposure to a hazard by altering the manner in which a task is performed