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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to perform arterial embalming.
   • Prepare and use personal protective equipment.
   • Prepare mortuary area and appropriate mortuary instruments and equipment.
   • Identify type of autopsy performed and evaluate embalming implications.
   • Remove invasive and non invasive medical paraphernalia as required.
   • Remove all autopsy sutures using appropriate techniques.
   • Remove viscera bag and clean, disinfect and dry viscera.
2. Perform arterial embalming procedures.
   • Locate vessels to be used for arterial injection and drainage using appropriate techniques.
   • Mix and prepare arterial embalming chemicals according to pre-embalming case analysis.
   • Determine injection pressure and rate of flow according to pre-embalming case analysis.
   • Inject identified vessels.
   • Maintain effectiveness of distribution and diffusion of arterial injection by massage of the limbs, hands, feet, neck and face.
   • Maintain suitable drainage into cavity.
   • Identify and raise secondary injection sites as required.
   • Apply alternative treatments for areas not reached by arterial fluid using appropriate methods.
   • Return viscera to body cavity using appropriate techniques.
   • Apply appropriate suturing techniques to re-suture all autopsy incisions.
   • Re-cleanse and disinfect the body.
   • Identify and manage hazards, complications and problems.
3. Complete post-embalming case analysis and clean instruments, equipment and mortuary area.
   • Perform case analysis to evaluate success of the procedure and determine implications for further embalming procedures.
   • Complete case analysis report that includes reference to any complications that may have arisen and corrective actions taken.
   • Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment.
   • Dispose of waste as appropriate.
   • Store instruments and equipment and report faults.
   • Clean and disinfect mortuary area.
4. Prepare to perform arterial embalming.
   • Prepare and use personal protective equipment.
   • Prepare mortuary area and appropriate mortuary instruments and equipment.
   • Identify type of autopsy performed and evaluate embalming implications.
   • Remove invasive and non invasive medical paraphernalia as required.
   • Remove all autopsy sutures using appropriate techniques.
   • Remove viscera bag and clean, disinfect and dry viscera.
5. Perform arterial embalming procedures.
   • Locate vessels to be used for arterial injection and drainage using appropriate techniques.
   • Mix and prepare arterial embalming chemicals according to pre-embalming case analysis.
   • Determine injection pressure and rate of flow according to pre-embalming case analysis.
   • Inject identified vessels.
   • Maintain effectiveness of distribution and diffusion of arterial injection by massage of the limbs, hands, feet, neck and face.
   • Maintain suitable drainage into cavity.
   • Identify and raise secondary injection sites as required.
   • Apply alternative treatments for areas not reached by arterial fluid using appropriate methods.
   • Return viscera to body cavity using appropriate techniques.
   • Apply appropriate suturing techniques to re-suture all autopsy incisions.
   • Re-cleanse and disinfect the body.
   • Identify and manage hazards, complications and problems.
6. Complete post-embalming case analysis and clean instruments, equipment and mortuary area.
   • Perform case analysis to evaluate success of the procedure and determine implications for further embalming procedures.
   • Complete case analysis report that includes reference to any complications that may have arisen and corrective actions taken.
   • Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment.
   • Dispose of waste as appropriate.
   • Store instruments and equipment and report faults.
   • Clean and disinfect mortuary area.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

identify treatment requirements through a pre-embalming case analysis

perform arterial treatments on autopsied cases using correct techniques and following work health and safety/occupational health and safety and infection control practices

prepare mortuary area and select and use the required instruments and equipment

clean, disinfect and sterilise the mortuary area, instruments and equipment and complete a case analysis report at conclusion of the treatment.

Evidence of performance of performing arterial treatment of autopsied cases on ten or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

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Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge of:

requirements for preparing the mortuary facility

mortuary equipment, instruments and materials and associated uses

process for body examination using non-invasive observation techniques, including:

checking for no pulse

looking for fixed and dilated pupils

circulatory and lymphatic systems in terms of their importance to embalming

arterial sites used for injecting embalming fluid

physical and chemical changes and their possible impact on the embalming process

effects of embalming on various causes of death, medical treatments and procedures

concept and types of autopsies, and embalming implications for different types of autopsy procedures, including:

order for preparation

fluid strength

use of dyes

pressure and rates of flow

drainage

techniques for dealing with:

cranial autopsies

thoracic autopsies

abdominal autopsies

infant or child autopsies

homicide autopsies

preparation of autopsied bodies

range of invasive and noninvasive medical paraphernalia, not removed at autopsy

anatomical references for locating arteries to be injected

alternative treatments for areas not reached by arterial fluid that may include hypodermic injection, internal packs, preservative gels and external gels

venous sites used for draining venous fluids

various suture techniques that may be used

funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased, including social, cultural and religious considerations

federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations in relevant to work health and safety/occupational health and safety, infection control and handling human remains

environmental impacts regarding embalming procedures and minimal impact practices to reduce these

environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances

workplace policies and procedures in relation to performing arterial embalming.

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