Mapping Biological Risks Related to Necropsy Activities: Old Concerns and Novel Issues for the Safety of Health Professionals

Paola Tomao, Raffaele La Russa, Alessandra Oliva, Massimiliano De Angelis, Antonella Mansi, Emilia Paba, Anna Maria Marcelloni, Alessandra Chiominto, Martina Padovano, Aniello Maiese, Matteo Scopetti, Paola Frati and Vittorio Fineschi
Additional contact information
Paola Tomao: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00078 Rome, Italy
Raffaele La Russa: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Alessandra Oliva: IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
Massimiliano De Angelis: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Antonella Mansi: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00078 Rome, Italy
Emilia Paba: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00078 Rome, Italy
Anna Maria Marcelloni: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00078 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Chiominto: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00078 Rome, Italy
Martina Padovano: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00185 Rome, Italy
Aniello Maiese: Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Matteo Scopetti: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00185 Rome, Italy
Paola Frati: IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
Vittorio Fineschi: IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: Nowadays only a few studies on biological and environmental risk among healthcare workers are available in literature. The present study aims to assess the health operator’s risk of contact with microorganisms during necropsy activities, to evaluate the efficiency of current protections, to identify possible new sources of contact, and to point out possible preventive measures. In addition, considering the current pandemic scenario, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the dissection room is assessed. The objectives were pursued through two distinct monitoring campaigns carried out in different periods through sampling performed both on the corpses and at the environmental level.

Keywords: necropsy activity; biological risk; microbiology; SARS-CoV-2; risk management; occupational risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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