Mangaluru: Mortuaries and autopsy rooms present a high risk workplaces for professionals and other workers. A study has flagged off the dangers involved in autopsy rooms where infections such as Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV pose a risk to the autopsy workers. These infections pose a greater risk since many times they are not even diagnosed until the autopsy is done in the mortuary itself, says B Suresh Kumar Shetty, associate dean and professor of forensic medicine, Kasturba Medical College, here.
A student research activity on Prevalence of HIV Cases Among the Tuberculosis Deaths at Autopsy, published in Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine, notes that necessary measures should be taken to nullify aerosol formation during an autopsy as TB is an airborne infection.
The research notes that proper air circulation systems should be installed in the mortuary area, adding aerosol formation can be minimized by minimizing the use of saw and opening of the intestines submerged in water.
It also points out that while washing or handling organs, special attention should be given to prevent aerosol formation and the use of equipment utilised in the process of post-mortem should be minimised and provided a dedicated station to keep them in clear view. Instruments (especially sharps) should be carefully handled by the staff, it adds.
In cases where the patient has been diagnosed with HIV, chances that the patient has TB should be considered as a strong probability rather than a possibility, says Dr Shetty. Effective training of staff and periodic screenings are a must to ensure necessary standards, he said adding awareness of associated hazards are also important for reducing the risk of exposure among these health professionals especially at their workplace.
The autopsy based retrospective study was undertaken using postmortem reports. Postmortem reports of deaths due to TB related deaths referred to Wenlock District Government Hospital, Mangaluru, for medicolegal autopsy between Jan 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2015, were considered. Of the total 5229 autopsy cases, 63 cases of TB related deaths were reported.
The study was done by Parashar N, Resident MBBS, B Suresh Kumar Shetty , Associate Dean and Professor of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Shetty PH, Associate professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kumar N, Associate professor, Department of Community Medicine, Unnikrishnan B, Dean, and Professor of community medicine, Department of Community Medicine all from KMC, Mangalore, Biswas R, professor, Department of Physics, Tezpur University, and Mazumder, assistant professor, Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences.
A student research activity on Prevalence of HIV Cases Among the Tuberculosis Deaths at Autopsy, published in Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine, notes that necessary measures should be taken to nullify aerosol formation during an autopsy as TB is an airborne infection.
The research notes that proper air circulation systems should be installed in the mortuary area, adding aerosol formation can be minimized by minimizing the use of saw and opening of the intestines submerged in water.
It also points out that while washing or handling organs, special attention should be given to prevent aerosol formation and the use of equipment utilised in the process of post-mortem should be minimised and provided a dedicated station to keep them in clear view. Instruments (especially sharps) should be carefully handled by the staff, it adds.
In cases where the patient has been diagnosed with HIV, chances that the patient has TB should be considered as a strong probability rather than a possibility, says Dr Shetty. Effective training of staff and periodic screenings are a must to ensure necessary standards, he said adding awareness of associated hazards are also important for reducing the risk of exposure among these health professionals especially at their workplace.
The autopsy based retrospective study was undertaken using postmortem reports. Postmortem reports of deaths due to TB related deaths referred to Wenlock District Government Hospital, Mangaluru, for medicolegal autopsy between Jan 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2015, were considered. Of the total 5229 autopsy cases, 63 cases of TB related deaths were reported.
The study was done by Parashar N, Resident MBBS, B Suresh Kumar Shetty , Associate Dean and Professor of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Shetty PH, Associate professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Kumar N, Associate professor, Department of Community Medicine, Unnikrishnan B, Dean, and Professor of community medicine, Department of Community Medicine all from KMC, Mangalore, Biswas R, professor, Department of Physics, Tezpur University, and Mazumder, assistant professor, Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences.
