Receipt, records and preparation of cadavers

Question 1

Which Act regulates body donation?

Answer 1

The National Health Act

Question 2

Are body donors financially compensated?

Answer 2

There is no financial compensation to donors for body donation. There are also no costs to the donor/next of kin for any of the expenses

Question 2

Are body donors financially compensated?

Answer 2

There is no financial compensation to donors for body donation. There are also no costs to the donor/next of kin for any of the expenses incurred for donation/preparation/cremation - these expenses are paid for by the university

Question 3

According to the National Health Act No. 61 of 2003, Section 62. Which tools may be used to give consent to body donation and how many witnesses are required?

Answer 3

Tools : A will, a document signed by the potential body donor and an oral statement with at least 2 competent witnesses. This is for purpose of giving consent to donating his/her body or any specific tissue or a post mortem examination of the individual

Question 4

What would make the donation null and void?

Answer 4

An individual’s failure to nominate an institution or a person as contemplated in section 63

Question 5

Who donate an individual’s body or any specific tissue on his/her behalf?

Answer 5

In this specific order : Spouse, partner, major child, parent, guardian, major brother or major sister

Question 6

Who donated an individual’s body or any specific tissue of that person if no family members are located at the time of death?

Answer 6

The Director - General of the health department

Question 7

According to section 64 of the National Health Act, what are the purposes of body and tissue donation of a deceased person?

Answer 7

• Training of students in health sciences
• Health research
• Advancement of health sciences
• Therapeutic purposes
• In the production of therapeutic, diagnostic or prophylactic substance

Question 8

What is the legal age of body donation?

Answer 8

16 years old and there is no age limit

Question 9

What does an individual receive upon registration to be a body donor?

Answer 9

Confirmation letter of registration and a reference number

Question 10

What is the body donation exclusion criteria?

Answer 10

• Unnatural death e.g. ballistic trauma, car accidents or any major trauma
• Suicide or any criminal cause of death
• A person whose cause of death was smallpox, anthrax or viral hemorrhagic fever
• Death occurring during or immediately after major surgery
• A person passing away outside KwaZulu - Natal

Question 11

Documents required to accept body donation.

Answer 11

*Burial order
*Death certificate
*Notice of death (Bl - 1663)
*Completed donation form
Will or codicil
*ID
*

Question 12

Who oversees the anatomy department compliance of the National Health Act?

Answer 12

The inspector of anatomy

Question 13

What does inspector have and when will the inspector perform an inspection?

Answer 13

The inspector has a record of all bodies received and cremated by the department and will perform an inspection at the end of the year

Question 14

What does each body received by the anatomy department receive?

Answer 14

Each body received by the anatomy department receives a unique registration number (e.g. 02/2022). This indicates the 2nd body received in the year 2022. The registration number is used to identify the body. The same number is used on the specimens retained from that cadaver

Question 15

When is a unique number assigned and what is it referred to?

Answer 15

A unique is assigned upon notifying the inspector of anatomy of a body donation received. The unique number is referred to as the sequence number

Question 16

The inspector of anatomy also receives information of the cadavers such as:

Answer 16

Registration no., name, sex, race, cause of death, date of birth, date of death, place of death, time of death, age, last physical address, date body received in anatomy department and which campus the body is retained

Question 17

What does the embalmer need to wear?

Answer 17

A disposable surgical gown, disposable apron, gloves, shoe cover, surgical cap, safety goggles and respirator

Question 18

When should embalming be done and what should be done if it isn’t done at the required time?

Answer 18

Embalming must be done ASAP immediately after death. If cadavers aren’t embalmed immediately, they are stored at low temperature

Question 19

What are requirements for a suitable embalming room?

Answer 19

A good ventilation system and kept neat with all table tops cleaned with disinfectant

Question 20

When is the embalming material prepared and what does it include?

Answer 20

The embalming material is prepared beforehand, which includes the instruments used for embalming and the embalming solution

Question 21

What is the body washed with and why is it inspected?

Answer 21

The body is washed thoroughly with disinfectant and inspected for any major cuts or bad sores and suitability for embalming

Question 22

What happens to bulky areas with rigor mortis as well as the limbs?

Answer 22

Bulky areas with rigor mortis are massaged and limbs are flexed to remove rigor mortis and make sure there is no pressure on the neck and back. That ensures that the embalming fluid flows effectively throughout the body

Question 23

What is rigor mortis and how long after death can it occur?

Answer 23

Rigor mortis is the process that causes the muscles in the body to stiffen resulting in rigidity due to a range of chemical changes in the muscle structure, it can occur few hours after death

Question 24

Cadaver info may be recorded which includes:

Answer 24

Weight, height, headshot photo and date of reception

Question 25

What happens to bodily hair, long nails, orifices and the eyes?

Answer 25

• Bodily hair is shaven and long nails are cut

* Orifices including the mouth, nose etc. are cleaned with disinfectant. Mouth and eyes are closed.