Page 135 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

6.7.7 Body cleaning and disposal
1. Routine autopsy cases after being sawn and clean with running water are given to
relatives for last rites.

2. High risk cases are handled as for high risk autopsy.
3. No relatives or undertakers are allowed to enter into the body storage areas. They
are only allowed to come in at viewing area with supervision from mortuary staff.
4. When, for religious purposes, there is requirement to wash the body, those concerned
must be clearly warned of any risk that may exist. In such a case, the participants in
the ceremony should be advised about the precautions they must take to help reduce
the possibility of contracting the infection or passing it on, and must be made to understand
the possible consequences to themselves and others with whom they may subsequently
come in contact with. (The activities should be supervise by the mortuary staff)

6.7.8 Clinical waste
Most of the waste arising from post mortem examinations is defined as clinical waste
and falls into two distinct groups and four subcategories which are:
1. Waste for incineration
• Disposable, generally single use items such as paper shrouds, swabs, dressings,
protective clothing and gloves.
• Human tissues and body fluids.

• Discarded syringes, needles and other disposable ‘sharps’, which must be placed
in a ‘sharps’ bin immediately after use.
• Xylene, formalin and alcohol.
2. Disposal to drain
• Non-contaminated fluids which must be flushed with plentiful running tap water.

6.7.9 Visitors
1. Those visitors who decide to observe the autopsy may do so in the observation area
overlooking the autopsy tables. Access to the area should be via a direct route
bypassing the dirty areas in mortuary.
2. No one may enter the autopsy room without first putting on the protective clothing
deemed necessary for the occasion. They must subsequently upon leaving the
autopsy room required to wash their hands or may be required to shower before
putting on their own clothing. Protective clothing worn during autopsy must be
removed and deposit in the bins provided.

6.7.10Quality control
Mortuary facilities must undergo regular maintenance and the efficacy of such equipments
i.e. fridge, ventilation systems, local exhaust systems, fume cabinets and PPEs are
regularly measured and monitored.

124 Ministry of Health Malaysia