Mary Ann,
	There is a story about a scientist who considered tritium to be
'weak' emitter, so minimum care was taken in its use and disposal.  Naughty,
naughty!!!!  AND, there are far more poignant examples of "hazard
negligence" brought on by "long-time" practice and "familiarity" that breeds
it.  Examples of children with "cancer from Dad"!!!!
	Here's an example you might 'proffer' to your M.D. supervisor:
http://www.jhu.edu/~gazette/2000/feb0700/07cadav.html [I use Google!]
	There are also "Universal Protection Protocols" that you might try
to get from MAJOR pathology departments that may bear on your correct
concern.
	In any case, if a physical consultant/therapist has to wear gloves
to give you a massage, perhaps techs at autopsies ought to be wearing space
suits.  Let reason and thought prevail.

Regards,

Fred Monson

Frederick C. Monson, PhD
The best research
Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging
occurs before work
West Chester University
at the bench.
West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, 19383
610-738-0437
fmonson@wcupa.edu

	 
> ----------
> From: 	King, Mary Ann
> Sent: 	Friday, November 30, 2001 1:06 PM
> To: 	'Histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu'
> 
> I was wondering if I could get some feedback from anyone as to what your
> hospital policies are concerning appropriate protective attire when
> assisting with autopsy procedures. Our hospital currently does not feel
> the pathology department should be issued hospital scrubs but should
> instead wear impermeable gowns or lab coats over the employee's clothing.
> I disagree. I feel that with the potential for exposure to various
> infectious diseases, we should not have to wear anything that we would
> have to take home and launder. I am curious as to what other institutions
> are doing.  Thank you.
>  
> 
> Mary Ann King 
> Pathology Supervisor 
> St. Joseph Hospital 
> 2901 Squalicum Pkwy. 
> Bellingham, WA* 98225 
> (360) 738-6340 
> (360) 738-6776 
> 
>  
>