[Histonet] disposal of body parts

[Galbraith, Joe]

Carol:

Native Americans also generally have a belief that body parts must be
buried with the rest of the body at the time of death and will recover
any severed limbs for temporary burial until the person passes.

It is critical to have a release form that includes warnings regarding
the hazards of handling human remains (biohazards and formaldehyde
hazards for example) as well as an admonition that the recipient must
follow all federal, state and local regulations that may apply (both in
your state and the destination state if different - you do not have to
spell out the regulations - just warn the patient that they must
comply).  As a further precaution, we do not release body parts directly
to the patient or family, we release to the patient's in-house clinician
who then reviews the warnings with the patient before releasing.  Both
the clinician and the patient sign the release form which then becomes
part of the patient's records and a copy is retained in the lab for our
records.

Someone mentioned releasing fetal remains for burial.  Be very careful
here as the regulations vary greatly from state to state and sometimes
even jurisdiction to jurisdiction with a state.  In our state a properly
executed fetal death certificate must be filed with the county of death
and a burial transit permit issued whenever the fetus is more than 20
weeks of gestation before the remains can be transported by anyone other
than a licensed funeral director.  Have your institutional legal counsel
check for your local regulation before proceeding.  

Good luck.

Joe Galbraith

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Carol
Bryant
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 2:38 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] disposal of body parts

Hello Histonetters!

I work in a small multispecialty clinic laboratory where the majority of
our specimens are derm, gi biopsies, etc.  Today we had an amputated
finger sent for gross only from our ambulatory surgery center and the
patient wishes to have it back.  Does CAP have any specific requirements
in regard to disposal of tissue that would apply here?  Don't some
patients wish to have their amputated limbs back for religious reasons?
If so, what is the proper protocol?  Should they sign some type of
release form?

Thanks,

Carol 

 

Carol Bryant, CT (ASCP)

Cytology/Histology Manager

Pathology Services

Lexington Clinic

Phone (859) 258-4082

Fax (859) 258-4081

cbrya <@t> lexclin.com

 



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