Course Information:
Dealing with Communicable Disease/AIDS
All information in this course is based upon data provided by the (CDC) Center of Disease Control. The CDC has defined “Universal Precautions” as a set of precautions designed to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and other bloodborne pathogens when providing first aid or any other healthcare services. Under universal precautions, blood and certain body fluids of every patient are considered potentially infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens. Understanding the risks and exposures is of the utmost importance when embalming or other preparation of the dead human body. This course will identify how you can protect yourself and live a long healthy life in spite of those risks and exposures. It will also provide you with a better understanding of the precautions taken in health-care facilities, prior to and immediately after death, before a body is transported to a funeral home for preparation. HIV is a very serious threat. You are encouraged to maintain the safest working environment you can create.
The Author
Jerry Keller graduated from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1964 and has been involved both directly and indirectly with the Funeral Profession since that time and has been a Certified Bereavement Facilitator since 1997.
Jerry worked in a management consulting roll for the IBM Corporation and took part in a program allowing him to continue his education. Through that program, he received his Ph.D. in Business Administration, from Southwestern University, Metaire, Louisiana. While serving as consultant for IBM, he was involved with providing training in stress management, which included, what to expect at the time of death of a loved one, and assisted employees in recovering from grief and bereavement situations. Jerry has also provided these same services directly to the funeral industry for many years.
