Page 129 - COVID-19 Inpatient Training Resources

Document Name: Preparation of Deceased persons at Unity Health
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Developed Date: June 19 , 2020
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Updated: June 22 , 2020
Expiry Date: N/A
Distribution Approved by: IPP, Security, EVS, Access & Flow, Spiritual Care
Contact for suggestions for next version: IPP
Intended use: Unity Health Toronto - St. Joseph’s

 See COVID-19: Morgue Procedures (Unity Health Toronto) – March 27, 2020 for details.
 Tubes, catheters and lines should be left in place on the deceased person unless these impede with
placement in and closure of the body bag.
 It is critical to ensure identification armband is on the deceased person with matching labeling on
outside of leak proof body bag. The nurse or physician who was providing care must ensure there is
an ID bracelet or other appropriate form of ID on the deceased person.
 Before moving the deceased person, the clinical team must ensure that the ID on the person
matches the ID on the body bag.
 ID must be affixed securely to the outside of the body bag and should be attached to the bag zipper
where possible.
 The following information must be clearly labeled on tag and attached to zipper:
o Full name of the resident
o Date of birth
o In cases of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 deaths, a tag must be labelled with green
“COVID-19” sticker and attached to zipper via zip tie or other secure method. Attach COVID
19 tag to the same zipper as the ID tag.
 Ensure the body bag is completely wiped down with an approved hospital disinfectant solution (or a
diluted concentration of bleach) after the deceased person is placed inside but while body is still
inside the patient’s room.
 Wipe the outside of the body bag with one of the following:
o a disinfectant solution, a hospital-grade disinfectant according to manufacturer’s
recommendations
o wipes with anti-viral action, e.g. Clorox wipes
o a diluted concentration of bleach (a minimum concentration of 0.1% (1000 ppm))
(WHO,2020).
 Start disinfecting from the perimeter, then the zipper ending with the centre to ensure complete
coverage.

Patient Belongings

 Whenever possible, have conversations with families early and release all personal belongings
directly to families from the hospital. In special cases where a next of kin is permitted to visit during
COVID-19, encourage them to take any jewelry or personal possessions, once cleaned, home
whenever possible.
 Document telephone conversations with next of kin in health record. Note jewelry and/or personal
possessions that next of kin wishes to remain on/with the deceased person and any items next of
kin does not wish to remain on the deceased person and if they intend to pick these items up at a
later date from the hospital.
 Itemize belongings in Patient Belongings Form v3.0 and have coworker co-sign the belongings form
before printing and placing a copy into the bag with the belongings.

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