Quality management of body donation program at the University of Padova

Abstract

Quality management improvement has become a recent focus of attention in medical education. The program for the donation of bodies and body parts (Body Donation Program) at the University of Padova has recently been subjected to a global quality management standard, the ISO 9001:2008 certification. The aim of the present work is to show how the above standard is useful in enhancing the efficiency of body donation procedures and the quality and output of medical education. The program is managed by means of the following interlinked procedures: the collection of body donations, death certificates, data, and body parts from living donors; the transportation and identification of cadavers; the management of bodies, body parts, equipment, instruments, purchasing of necessary materials, and setting up anatomical training sessions; the management of preventive and corrective actions; the management of documents and registration; the management of internal and external quality audits; and the review of outcomes and improvement planning. Monitoring indicators are identified in the numbers of donors and of donated body parts per year, education sessions, and satisfaction of learners and donors, as evaluated by questionnaires. The process management approach, the integrated involvement of medical, technical, and administrative staff in defining procedures, and the application of monitoring indicators allow quality improvement in all aspects of the Body Donation Program.

Microscopic anatomy of the visceral fasciae

“…Definitions of various visceral fasciae mentioned in this paper and corresponding terms according to Terminologia Anatomica(1998). fibrous layer of the pericardial sac women; age range at death: 47-87 years), managed by the 'Body Donation Program' at the Institute of Anatomy, University of Padova(de Caro et al 2009;Macchi et al 2011;Porzionato et al 2012).…”

Medical News From Scientific Analysis of the Turin Shroud

“…The donors gave specific consent. Cadavers were managed by the Body Donation Programme of the Section of Human Anatomy of the Department of Molecular Medicine of the Univeresity of Padua (according to European, National and Regional normative references [9,10]. The upper limbs were nailed in the following points: -radiocarpic joint between the radio, lunate and scaphoid; -midcarpal joint line between the scaphoid/lunate and trapezoid/capitate; -midcarpal joint between the lunate/pyramidal and capitate/uncinate (Destot's space) by nailing at the median skin-fold of the wrist, just above and medially to the pisiform; With regard to the inferior limbs, the following procedures were performed: -dislocation of the right joint, through increasing weights applied with a rope to the ankle (tension technique usual in the crucifixion); -nailing of the left foot between 1st and 2nd metatarsal bone, with a 10 cm-long nail; -nailing of the left foot between the scaphoid and cuboid, proximally, and third cuneiform, distally, with a 25 cm-long nail; -further nailing of the right foot, with the long nail passing through the left one, at the level of the right tibiotarsal joint.…”

On the suitability of Thiel cadavers for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): surgical training, feasibility studies, and anatomical education

“…A Quality Management System has also been developed for optimal use of anatomical material. In 2011, the Body Donation Program achieved certification by an accredited third-party registrar (Certiquality SrlÓ, Quality Certification Body, Milan, Italy), which audited the quality management system and certified that the Body Donation Program of the University of Padova met EN ISO 9001:2008 criteria [31]. Using cadavers for medical training and scientific research is carried out according to European, Italian, and regional guidelines [32,33].…”