10A NCAC 41A .0212. HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF BODIES

(a) It shall be the duty of the physician attending any person who dies and is known to be infected with HIV, plague, or hepatitis B or any person who dies and is known or reasonably suspected to be infected with smallpox, rabies, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), or Jakob-Creutzfeldt to provide written notification to all individuals handling the body of the proper precautions to prevent infection. This written notification shall be provided to funeral service personnel at the time the body is removed from any hospital, nursing home, or other health care facility. When the patient dies in a location other than a health care facility, the attending physician shall notify the funeral service personnel verbally of the precautions required as soon as the physician becomes aware of the death. These precautions are noted in Paragraphs (b) and (c).

(b) The body of any person who died and is known or reasonably suspected to be infected with smallpox or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or any person who died and is known to be infected with plague shall not be embalmed. The body shall be enclosed in a strong, tightly sealed outer case which will prevent leakage or escape of odors as soon as possible after death and before the body is removed from the hospital room, home, building, or other premises where the death occurred. This case shall not be reopened except with the consent of the local health director.  Nothing in this Paragraph shall prohibit cremation. 

(c) Persons handling the body of any person who died and is known to be infected with HIV or hepatitis B or any person who died and is known or reasonably suspected to be infected with Jakob-Creutzfeldt or rabies shall be provided written notification to observe blood and body fluid precautions.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-144; 130A-146;

Temporary Rule Eff. February 1, 1988, for a period of 180 days to expire on July 29, 1988; Eff. March 1, 1988; Recodified from 15A NCAC 19A .0204 Eff. June 11, 1991;

Temporary Amendment Eff. November 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2004.