GUIDELINES ON DEAD BODY MANAGEMENT Scope of the document Key Facts Standard Precautions to be followed by health care workers while handling dead bodies of COVID. Training in infection and prevention control practices Removal of the body from the isolation room or area Environmental cleaning and disinfection Handling of dead body in Mortuary

1. Module 4.3 Managing
Death during
Pandemics

2. Description
During outbreaks of illnesses, many patients may expire, due to
various causes. This is more common among persons of extreme
ages (children and elderly) depending on the pathogen. It is also likely
to be more common among persons with co-morbidities as well.
These co-morbidities may also make them vulnerable to death as
well.

3. The inevitable
consequence of death
during pandemics must
be handled with
extreme caution. The
management may start
from the time the
person becomes sick or
is brought in a
moribund condition.

4. Learning points
• The emotional issues for the relatives and HCWs related to death
of a person during epidemics.
• The principles of documentation and reporting and legal and
ethical issues of death during epidemics.
• The aspects related to infection control practices like prophylaxis
(if any), disinfection etc.

5. Death may be unexpected or even expected
at times. Many procedures discussed in the
previous module may not help in preventing
death.

6. Breaking the bad news regarding the
condition of the patient well in time may
ease the handling of death related
issues.

7. Documentation of death in as much clear
terms as possible is absolutely essential.

8. Handling of the dead body adhering to the infection control
recommendations is also very important.
Cooperation from relatives and administration has to be ensured,
depending on the situation.
The IMG is expected to be well aware of the medical and social
consequences of death during a pandemic.
Beyond the skills that are necessary to perform these procedures,
the IMG should also have the knowledge, attitude and
communication skills to manage such a situation.

9. Case study -
• Mr. Abdul, 50 years old, has been admitted with a febrile illness, which he
developed after staying with his son who recently came from a metropolitan
city where an unknown disease had been declared.
He was intubated and was on ventilator for two days. He was being
managed in an isolation room with all airborne precautions. He was showing
signs of improvement when he suddenly became unconscious and stopped
breathing. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was attempted but failed. He died
about 15 minutes after he developed the symptoms in the ICU. The doctor
declared that he is no more.

10. Questions to answer
Q 1.How is the event discussed with the relatives?
Q 2· What documents are to be prepared regarding the event?
Q 3. · What care has to be exercised to prevent the transmission of infection after death?
Q4. · How will you discuss the issues with the relatives?