Mortuary Services

Dr.Samir Saiyad M.Phil (Hospital Management) 09825527996

OBJECTIVES
After studying this unit, you should be able to:

know the role and significance of mortuary services in a hospital; understand the planning considerations of mortuary services; learn about physical facilities required for a mortuary; plan for the equipment needed in a mortuary;
describe the staffing pattern and responsibilities of medical staff and technicians

understand the policies and procedures involved in mortuary; and develop a checklist for proper maintenance of a mortuary ,

Introduction
This unit focuses mainly on mortuary services and facilities in a hospital Mortuary Service is a place for Safe & Secure Preservation of the dead Bodies until taken away for the final rites. The subject of disposal off the dead is hedged around by religious, social, and cultural beliefs and practices. it is necessary to provide within the hospital a place to which a dead body can be moved quietly and discretely, in order that other patients are not upset. It is also necessary to see that the body can later be removed from the hospital, for burial or cremation, by some exit screened from the view of patients and others in the hospital. facilities for safe custody of dead bodies before and after postmortem are to be provided accordingly

ROLE AND FUNCTIONS

Storage of dead bodies until they are taken away for final disposal Safe preservation of the bodies to prevent any decomposition. Physical security. Conduct of autopsies for MLC or Academic purpose & dispatch of viscera/tissue/body fluids for forensic Examination. Embalming of the bodies. Hand over the bodies to authorized Maintenance of record of all bodies received & handed over.

PLANNING

Location
separate building near the pathology laboratory on the ground floor, easily accessible from the wards, emergency Department and operation theatres. It should be located in one wing of the hospital preferably away from the general traffic routes used by the public. It must have a separate entrance and exit for relatives

Contd..
Size
For a hospital of 50- 100 beds, mortuary refrigerator should have a capacity to hold two bodies. For a 200 bedded hospital, at least three body capacity should be provided. Teaching and research hospitals require larger capacity refrigerators according to their need

Number of Rooms and Layout

Covered access : A covered access for vehicles should be provided at the entrance, which leads to mortuary complex as a protection in wet weather, and as a screen from adjoining areas. The exit to a subsidiary road nearby car parking place is also desirable

Autopsy room or postmortem room

The autopsy room should be constructed with spacious windows of frosted glass, adequate water supply, fluorescent lighting built in cupboards and fans. Autopsy room should provide accommodation for

Autopsy table of stainless steel Sink with running water Built in cupboards for keeping instruments and equipment Room should have a water impervious floors sloping to a drain Tiled walls so that whole room can be easily washed down Junction between walls and floors should be suitably covered

EQUIPMENT
Cold Chamber (refrigerator) to preserve the dead bodies And the temperature to be maintained between 2 To 5'C. Postmortem table (autopsy table): The tables are of porcelain, fire clay or stainless steel. Up to400 beds require two tables, each additional 200 beds another table. A two-tabled roomneeds about40 sq,m. About 15sq.m, of space will be needed for each additional table. Continuous Power Supply

STAFFING
Smaller Hospital No Need for Dedicated Staff.

In teaching Hospital Hod Forensic Medicine & Number Of Assistants depending on the Work Load.

Policies & Procedures

MLC PM Done In Natural Light Only. Protocol of Medico- legal Bodies Identification of Bodies 1. Wrist Band 2. Documentation 3. Hand & Foot Print of Neonate

Protocol of unclaimed Dead Body

Monitoring
Check list of things to be verified daily and monthly and half-yearly Daily Check
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Temperature checks of cold storage: Cooling system of mortuary to be checked daily so that temperature is maintained and th e bodies are not decomposed. To check the cleanliness and hygiene of the mortuary. Cold storage: Gas pressure Temperature Water level

Contd..
Monthly Cheek
a) Oil fan motors b)Wiring c) Tests for leaks

Half-yearly Check
a) Grease compressor motors b) Replace compressor oil

Indicators Of Quality Evaluation

Incidence of theft of Bodies/Body Parts. Incidence of Handling over Wrong Bodies to the Wrong Claimants. Incidence Of Decomposition , The Level Of Hygiene & Sanitation in the Mortuary.