Embedded Files
or sterilizing contaminated instruments.110 Risk Education Methods Funeral homes can be proactive in preventing the spread of communicable diseases from the deceased to the funeral professional by having effective control practices in place at their funeral homes and crematories. However, in order for these to be effective, funeral professionals must be compliant and follow these practices. Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Funeral homes fall under the mandates of the Occupational Safety Hazard Association (OSHA)’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).111 This standard requires employers to have a written exposure control plan and meet the methods of compliance.112 The methods of compliance include the practice of Universal Precautions (as previously discussed), the implementation of engineering and work practice controls, and the provision of personal protective equipment.113 All methods of compliance, or action items, will be discussed in depth below. NOTE: Funeral homes are not part of the surveillance program that exists to monitor the exposure events of healthcare workers to HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)114 – thus, it is hard to determine the effectiveness of their specific adherence to the OSHA standard. Nevertheless, these compliance items were put into place by the federal government to protect all employees from exposure to potentially deadly pathogens as much as possible. Occupational exposure is considered reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral Exam Question 8. It should be noted that is always dangerous in the embalming room if formaldehyde chemicals are present as the mixture produces a deadly gas. a. Bleach b. Cidex c. Mr. Clean d. None of the above 100-105 CDC, Healthcare-associated Infections 106 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 107-110 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 12 111 Davidson & Benjamin Jr., 657 112-113 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 114 CDC Tuberculosis in the United States COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND FUNERAL PROFESSIONALS Funeral Service Academy | 9 contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties.115 This basically includes all employees at a funeral home. Thus, every funeral home that conducts embalming must develop an exposure control plan, or a bloodborne pathogen program, designed to minimize or eliminate employees’ exposures to bloodborne pathogens.116 This exposure control plan must be in writing. Employees must be made aware of the written program and know where the program is kept.117 The written exposure control program must be reviewed at least annually, with this review documented. As a note, even employees who are only occasionally exposed to bloodborne pathogens as an occupational exposure must be included in the exposure control plan. It is best if funeral homes do an in-service with all funeral service employees to review the exposure control plan. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard also requires that the Hepatitis B vaccination must be offered to all employees who are potentially exposed at the funeral home.118 Again, this could potentially include any and all funeral service professionals working in a funeral home. For employees who already have had the series, an attempt should be made to obtain a record that the vaccinations were performed. If records cannot be obtained, then the employees should sign a vaccine declination form.119 Another action item in the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard indicates that funeral homes must investigate and/or document the use of engineering controls which reflect the best bloodborne pathogen exposure control technology available.120 Note: non-managerial employees must be involved in this process and their input must be documented.121 Preventing exposures requires a comprehensive program, including engineering controls and proper work practice controls. 122 (Engineering controls are those mechanical systems and devices engineered into the architecture of a building or item.123 Some examples of these engineering controls might include safer disposable scalpels, blunted suture needles, and safer hypodermic syringes. Work practice controls are controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed: like no-hands procedures in handling contaminated sharps, and eliminating hand-to-hand instrument passing.124 This investigation of engineering and work practice controls should be the primary means of eliminating or minimizing employee exposure. Finally, it is important that funeral homes implement these feasible controls, document the engineering control investigation, and then review the safer devices at least annually to determine if newer technology is available.125 16 Safety Scalpels Safety Syringes In the spirit of this action item, commercially available products that are designed to eliminate infection from sharps injuries must be used, including safety disposable scalpels, blunted suture needles, and safety hypodermic needles.126 Some needles have to be re-used; these should only be used when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, safety hypodermic syringes should be used.127 DO NOT remove disposable needles from the syringe with
Report abuse