AWARENESS OF RISKS, HAZARDS AND PREVENTIONS IN AUTOPSY PRACTICE: A REVIEW

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Kusa Kumar Shaha,
Department of Forensic medicine & Toxicology,
Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education & Research,
(Govt. of India), Puducherry, India.
Email- drkusashaha@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: The present paper highlights the steps followed to prevent the risks and hazards encountered at mortuary. Autopsy surgeons or Forensic pathologists and the personnel who assist in conducting the autopsy are liable to encounter a number of accidents and potential biohazards; who are at a continuous risk of acquiring various kinds of viral, bacterial infections from contagious body fluids, soft tissues of the dead and skin injuries. The prevailing practice of autopsy in major parts of world including India is empirical and crude and is due to ignorance, administrative apathy, under funding and lack of implementation of effective skill oriented programs on safe autopsy practice and for development of an optimally equipped mortuary. Safety in morgues is not only relevant to the team performing the autopsy, but also has adverse environmental effects e.g. contamination with radioactive and other contagious substances. By adhering to approved safety precautions and autopsy techniques, the risk of hazards at work place may be minimized. The present literature reviewed the risks related to the existing autopsy practice and discussed appropriate preventive, bio-safety measures to be taken. This paper highlights the preparation of safety guidelines for routine autopsy practice; which should be devised by forming appropriate committees which may include the practicing autopsy surgeons, mortuary personnel, the professionals from local infection control and occupational health and safety departments. The existing safety measures in a mortuary set-up should be evaluated and reconsidered after reviewing appropriate safety guidelines. Time to time organization of induction programs, workshops, continued medical education on safe autopsy practice will be a great help for the persons concerned. Nevertheless, the goal of such practice is to protect the concerned workers and the environment as well, from the potential risks associated with morgues.
KEYWORDS: autopsy, safety, forensic pathologist, autopsy-room, risk, hazards, potential, preventive measure