Outcome on Reduction in Concentration of Formalin Solution for Embalming Purpose

Abstract

Objective    :   To study the results including: quality of body embalming, complaints, satisfaction from relatives of the deceased and cost-effectiveness of using 75% formalin solution in water (formaldehyde27.75%) compare with using 100% formalin solution  (formaldehyde37%) that was previously used for embalming purpose.

Method       :   A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Collect data from 2,462 embalming cases in Department of Forensic medicine, Sawanpracharak Hospital in using 75% formalin solution in water (formaldehyde 27.75%) from 1 January to 31 December 2019 to study of the results of sex, age, cause of death, place to bring the body for religious ceremonies, the period before cremation or burial, satisfaction and complaints and cost of formalin solution production. General data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Comparison of differences in cost of formalin production between the the new formulation and the former formulation and income when reducing the concentration use the rule of three to compare.

Result         :   The embalming cases was male 52.7%, means ages were 63.6 ± 16.3 years with the most common cause of death was severe inflammation of vital organs such as lungs, meninges, etc. (25.1%). The most place to bring the body for religious ceremonies was Nakhonsawan (85%). The length of time the bodies were kept for ceremonies are three days at most (98.1%). All relatives of the deceased were satisfied with quality of body embalming with no complaints. The difference in expenditure, which was the cost of producing the new formalin formulation compared to the former formulation of 2,462 deceased bodies, the amount was reduced by 93,556 baht. In addition, comparing the revenues that the hospital embalming services with the cost of producing a new formulation of formalin, the income was increased amounting to 88,632 baht.

Conclusions :   The reduction of formalin solution from 100% to 75% for embalming purpose did not reduce the effectiveness of the preservation of the body and had a significant effect in lowering the cost of economics. Therefore, the new formula of formalin solution can be used for further operations.

Keywords    :   Embalming, Formalin, Postmortem Changes.