Module 4 Assignment: Mortuary practice
The main purpose of this assignment is to enhance candidate learning - theses assignments will require you to look through some of your work based documentation, procedures and practices in order that you become more familiar with them. Completing these assignments will also help you with collection of evidence for your portfolio.
The following information may be beneficial when completing this assignment:
General guidance for completing this assignment
This assignment has been designed so that you focus your knowledge and understanding of activities within your workplace relating to the various chemicals and solutions in use, their chemical hazards, and your routine cleaning / disinfection protocols.
For this assignment you will also need to know what data is being kept in your business, the types of data and its use, as well a how this data is secured so as to maintain confidentiality.
Like previous assignments you will be required to produce a number of pieces of objective evidence demonstrating that you work is a safe and effective way, you maintain clients data securely and do not breach confidentiality .
Help and guidance for task 1:
Have look around your mortuary and refrigeration areas and ask yourself the following questions:
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Do you know where you keep chemicals, fixatives, detergents and disinfectants that you need to use routinely?
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Do you know if any chemicals need to be made up before use or can be used straight from the container?
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When would you use these chemicals?
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Do you need to wear PPE when use these chemicals?
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What hazards are associated with using them?
It might help if produce a table of the list of chemicals available in your workplace that you can refer to as you progress through this assignment.
Chose two different chemicals types (e.g. a disinfectant and an fixative for example). For each chemical you have selected copy the following details on the blank bottles contained within your assignment:
1. The name of the chemical.
2. Draw the hazard label that is on the labelling (or choose if more than one hazard).
3. Write down the main warnings found on the labelling.
For each chemical write a brief paragraphs on the following:
Why would you need to use this chemical: e.g. to clean the workspace of biohazards at the end of each procedure in order to reduce the risk of infection to myself and other work colleges.
How would you use this chemical: e.g. this chemical is used as a 10% solution dilated in water as per manufactures recommendations. Use neat is could pose a health hazard and might not work efficiently.
How is the chemical stored: e.g. The neat detergent is stored at room temperature in the store room but is made up fresh in another container each morning for routine use.
You may include a photo of your chosen chemical (ensure any hazard labels are viable as in the example shown above)
For the next part of this assignment you will need to label and draw the following chemical hazard labels:
• Flammable hazard
• Environmental hazard
• Corrosive hazard
Click here to access the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) web page for more information on the different chemical hazard labels.
The final part of this assignment requires you to submit a work based piece of objective evidence showing daily checks and or cleaning procedures carried out within your business: These could included:
• Tables, tick sheets and signature of daily equipment checks
• Check sheets of routine maintenance carried out
• Stock checks of chemicals and consumables
• Documented routine cleaning schedules
• Photographs of cleaning equipment and their correct storage
• Photographs of PPE available to you
• SOPs and other documentation regarding cleaning and or maintenance
You can use your own evidence if you have a good idea!
Help and guidance for task 2:
This task requires you to demonstrate that the deceased in your business are temperature monitored and / or stored appropriately.
When presenting your evidence piece please explain what you are demonstrating i.e. below is a scanned copy of our daily checks form etc.
Evidence types you could use for this task includes:
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Blanks forms and sheets used for recoding temperature (please esplain how the form is used).
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Photograph of your storage facilities showing temperature / capacity available (remember no identifiable information).
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Photocopy of temperature checks already carried out.
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Screen shots of any temperature monitoring software.
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Email or report on how you dealt with an issue with the fridge equipment (this could include a witness statement).
Help and guidance for task 3:
List the type of records your business holds (either client based, external or internal records on processes and staff). These could include:
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First call logs
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Staff training records
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Temperate records
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Deceased boking in and out logs (morturay in / out records)
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Family visit logs
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Financial
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H&S
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Funerals conducted
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Maintenance logs
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Valuables records
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Ashes collection / return records
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Contact database
Can you think of any more?
For any 4 record types listed above for example, describe how and why they are used in your business and also how they are stored– please consider confidentially and data protection for each.
Help and guidance for task 4:
This task requires you to use your local procedures and policies to describe each process in a flow chart for receipting and disposal of the deceases in and out of your business. Just write a brief paragraph for each using you own knowledge – there are no wright or wrong answers for this task. What we are after is your broad understanding of the various activities within your workplace relating to the administration of the deceased. You may wish to speak to your line manager for help with this task if you are unsure.
You will need to briefly describe the following activities in your business:
1. Receipting of the deceased
- How is confidentially maintained? (e.g. how is client information stored, do staff have IT access / individual logins etc.)
- What identification checks are carried out? (e.g. information taken during first call, mortuary register. use of ID tags etc.)
- How do you remove and record valuables? (e.g. are family members allowed to keep items, witnesses, forms used and logging).
- How are the deceased stored and monitored? (e.g. in a fridge / cooler, are temperature check made, is the fridge alarmed etc.)
- List the embalming procedures (when carried out): (e.g. ID checks, deceased undressed, Cleaning and /or disinfected, removal of bodily fluids (e.g. from arteries) and replacing with embalming fluids, internal organs preparation (e.g. removal of gas, embalming fluids) setting the features (e.g. in a natural way), applying makeup if requested, styling hair and other cosmetics.
- Checks / procedures carried out before presentation to family members: (e.g. are coroners investigations complete, deceased ID checks, viewing restrictions, clothes for the deceased etc.)
2. Release of the deceased.
- List ‘audit’ checks (e.g. ID, valuables) carried out before the deceased leave your care: (e.g. Deceased ID checks, clothing and personal item (s) checks with family, return / disposal of any other belongings / items etc.)
- Does your organisation keep any records of the deceased after they leave your premises? (e.g. client / contact details, funeral details, memorial (e.g. fingerprints) information, mortuary register details etc.)
- Briefly describe your organisations transport arrangements / checks: (e.g. vehicle fit for service checks, driver timetables / rota, trial run of route etc.)
- List other family communication that may happen before burial: (e.g. final arrangements and checks, courtesy calls to client / family before funeral etc.)
- What infection control (e.g. cleaning procedures) measures are carried out? (e.g. deceased placed in coffin, and surfaces cleaned, mortuary areas cleaned after deceased removed, routine checks and cleaning etc.)
- List any disposals documentation required (e.g. cementation, burial procedures and certification) (e.g. MCCD, disposal certificate, notice of interment, application for cremation etc.)
3. Checks carried out on the day of the funeral
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Preparing yourself (e.g. uniform, presentation, funeral details you need to know etc.)
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Preparing the coffin (e.g. final checks, coffin secured / sealed, nameplate etc.)
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Preparing vehicles (e.g. overview of daily checks, coffin, flowers loaded etc.)
Help and guidance for task 5:
Write a paragraph on your knowledge of the following areas/ topics - include answers to the following questions:
1. Death certification
The following link may useful in answering some of the following questions for this topic: Click here
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What does MCCD mean?
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What is the purpose of a MCCD?
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Who completes the MCCD?
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What basic information is reordered on a MCCD?
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What is the difference between the MCCD and Death certificate?
2. Registering a death
The following link may useful in answering some of the following questions for this topic: Click here
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Do funeral directors have a right to see the MCCD and can they register a death?
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Which department or organisation formally records the death?
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What documentation will be given to the funeral director (from the family) once a death has been registered?
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How long does the family have to register a death?
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Can the family obtain additional copies of a Death Certificate?
3. Tell Us Once service
The following link may useful in answering some of the following questions for this topic: Click here
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What is the purpose of this service?
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What information will the family need to provide before using the ‘Tell Us Once’ service?
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What organisation (s) will the ‘Tell Us Once’ service notify?
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Is the ‘Tell Us Once’ service available throughout the UK?
4. Certificate /forms for burial or cremation
Follow your local SOPs, Policies and documentation on what is required by you business before someone can be:
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Cremated.
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Buried.
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Does you service support burial at sea?
5. Coroner / procurator fiscal involvement
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When and why would a coroner be involved with the deceased and / or your service?
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What impact may this have on the family regarding funeral service?
Help and guidance for task 6:
Go back to the main page for this module and then click on the following link shown below to access the NAFD Funeral Director Code:
Once the document has opened, navigate to the following page listing the following 10 code principles:
Choose any of the 4 mandatory principles on this list and then complete the table within the assignment :
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1st column: Write out the code in full.
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2nd column: Explain (in your own words) why you think this code is important to your business and /or clients. You may read further information within the document or ask another college to explain further.
For example:
Code 4: act transparently, with honesty and integrity: Honesty means you are truthful and trustworthy, and Integrity means you always do the right thing. By showing that you are an honest and dependable person, you'll gain respect and trust from your peers and managers and also your clients.
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3rd column: Explain the consequences of what could happen if you did not apply this code to your working practices.
If we continue with the example above:
Code 4: act transparently, with honesty and integrity: Trust matters within any business as increasing trust levels can, for example, it can improve performance, respect and motivation in staff. When clients perceive that a business does things the right way and cares about the service, it further builds trust AND the reputation of the business. Failing to act with honesty and integrity in an open (transparent) way can erode trust and all the associated benefits it creates.
Please contact: darren.makin@nhs.net if you require further assistance or advice with the collection of any of your evidence pieces.