Assessment of the legal regulation of forensic medical bureau activities in the field of anti-epidemic measures

Abstract

Introduction. The staff of the Bureau of Forensic Medicine (BFM) experience a high microbial load in the performance of their professional duties, which poses a serious health hazard. Cases of infectious diseases continue to be recorded among the medical personnel of the BFM, which requires the prevention of infection during professional activities. The process of legal regulation of BFM activities in terms of compliance with sanitary and hygienic measures ensuring the safety of BFM employees from infectious contamination and improving the quality of expertise is becoming highly relevant.The purpose of the study is to propose measures to improve the regulation of relevant procedures based on the analysis of the legal regulation of BFM activities in matters of infectious safety.Materials and methods. We studied laws and bylaws at the federal and departmental levels. The regulatory framework was evaluated at the following conditional stages of forensic medical examination: processing of the sectional table; processing of instruments used for autopsy; personnel hand hygiene; current and general cleaning in the sectional rooms of the BFM.Results It was noted that there are no recommendations for disinfection after each dissection when processing the sectional table, the disagreements in the documents regulating the processing and disinfection of sectional instruments were revealed, the necessity of processing the instruments by mechanized method with the help of ultrasonic washers was shown. The points requiring attention with respect to the use of personal protective equipment, treatment of experts’ hands and other antiepidemic measures in the light of the new regulatory documents that have come into force are listed: Sanitary Rules and Regulations 3.3686-21 and Sanitary Rules 2.1.3678-20.Discussion The identified contradictions in the issues determining the actions of the expert at each of the stages indicate that the sanitary and hygienic measures are covered insufficiently and require more detailed elaboration.Conclusion Changes are required at the legislative, subordinate, and regulatory levels. Standard operating procedures must be implemented for BSMSE staff, which must be carried out in compliance with the requirements of the legislation regulating the activities of BFM, as well as precautions to ensure the infectious safety of employees.