SIFMWK016A
Treat tissue gas

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to remove tissue gas from a deceased person using a radical technique, where such action is required and likely to be successful, prior to a viewing of the deceased person by the family.

Application

This unit applies to embalming staff and involves working autonomously with a high level of responsibility.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Prepare to treat tissue gas.

1.1

Identify and prepare mortuary area and appropriate mortuary instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, relevant legislation and infection control practices.

1.2

Prepare and use personal protective equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

1.3

Identify and respect social, cultural and religious requirements.

1.4

Identify need for tissue gas treatment through physical examination of the deceased person's skin.

1.5

Assess likelihood of success of the treatment and determine further action.

2

Remove tissue gas from identified areas of the deceased person.

2.1

Cleanse and disinfect the body according to workplace policies and procedures and infection control practices.

2.2

Check deceased person's skin for skin slip and durability.

2.3

Identify exit points for the tissue gas.

2.4

Insert hypodermic needle into appropriate point to create a channelling effect toward the tissue gas.

2.5

Move gas in direction of hypodermic holes to facilitate its expulsion from the deceased person's body.

2.6

Apply cauterising agent as required.

2.7

Identify and manage hazards, complications and problems according to workplace policies and procedures.

3

Complete documentation and clean up.

3.1

Complete case analysis report according to workplace policies and procedures.

3.2

Clean, disinfect or sterilise instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

3.3

Dispose of waste materials according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

3.4

Store instruments and equipment according to workplace policies and procedures and report faults.

3.5

Clean and disinfect mortuary area according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

Required Skills

Required skills

problem-solving skills to identify and evaluate effectiveness of tissue gas treatment and take corrective action where required

literacy and numeracy skills to complete case analysis report

planning and organisational skills to conduct all procedures according to pre-embalming case analyses

self-management skills to monitor own response to dealing with deceased bodies and take corrective action.

Required knowledge

infection control practices and procedures

relevant workplace policies and procedures

anatomy, physiology and post-mortem changes

hypodermic insertion procedures

properties of cauterising agents

body examination techniques

mortuary equipment, instruments and materials

funeral services industry parameters and protocols for dealing with the deceased

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS, infection control and handling human remains.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to identify treatment requirements through a pre-embalming case analysis and to perform tissue gas treatments using correct techniques and following OHS and infection control practices

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

the cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising of the mortuary area, instruments and equipment at conclusion of the treatment

completion of a case analysis report

knowledge of infection control practices

treating tissue gas on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills in a mortuary facility where deceased bodies may be safely prepared and appropriate mortuary lighting, plumbing and ventilation requirements can be monitored and maintained

access to embalming equipment, instruments and chemicals

access to deceased bodies requiring tissue gas treatment, including autopsied cases

access to personal protective equipment.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate completing a range of tissue gas treatment procedures

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of all OHS and infection control practices and procedures

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SIFMWK013A Determine embalming requirements.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Mortuary instruments and equipment may include:

personal protective equipment

cauterising agents

sterilisation equipment

sterilisation chemicals and solutions

instruments and instrument tray

dressing table

disinfectant hand solution, paper towels and soap

plastic laundry bags

plastic infectious waste bags

biomedical waste containers for infectious and radioactive human tissue

pedestal lamps

linen

first aid kit

cotton wool

waterproof tape

capsules for transporting babies

scalpels

scissors

hypodermic needle

needle holder

forceps.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

communication protocols

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures, such as:

infection control procedures

manual handling procedures

material handling procedures, including hazardous or infectious materials

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures

security procedures.

Relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice may include:

OHS

Anatomy Act

Human Tissue Act

Skin Penetration Act

Coroner's Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

local government regulations

funeral services industry code of practice

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Infection control practices may include:

universal precautions, including:

use of personal protective equipment

presumption that all blood and body fluids are infectious

covering exposed cuts and abrasions, particularly on workers' hands, with waterproof coverings prior to commencing work

immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions

use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids

checking for infectious and transmittable disease

sterilising apparatus and instruments

providing sterile storage areas for instruments

using disinfectants

safe removal and disposal of soiled and contaminated garments

safe ventilation

avoiding invasive procedures on bodies

immunisation

periodic X-rays

seeking medical advice

recording injury and incidence

reporting injury and incidence

providing first aid kit

performing first aid as necessary

labelling clothing.

Personal protective equipment may include:

disposable gloves

heavy duty gloves

barrier gown or suit

waterproof overshoes

waterproof aprons

splash proof masks

eye goggles

face visor

hair cover

filtered air supply:

negative air pressure

powered positive air supply.

Social, cultural and religious requirements may include:

dress standards

gender of embalming personnel

time required between death and burial or cremation

orientation of the deceased person

restrictions on methods of embalming permissible.

Further action may include:

proceeding with treatment

stopping procedure

referring to colleague or supervisor.

Hazards, complications and problems may include:

sharps injuries

needle stick injuries

blood splash

infection

contagious disease, such as:

viral haemorrhagic fevers

Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease

tuberculosis

HIV

chemical spill

putrefaction and tissue gas

wet area.

Case analysis report may include:

problems and complications

corrective action taken.


Sectors

Sector

Funeral Services


Competency Field

Mortuary Work and Embalming


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.