Posted on: 29/11/24

Temperature monitoring plays an important role in many industries and across multiple sectors, including those that work closely with human tissue such as the anatomy, post-mortem, research and the organ donation and transplantation sector.

When it comes to mortuaries specifically and the delicate task of storing cadavers, tissues and organs, keeping a carefully temperature-controlled environment is a must. Even the smallest temperature change can affect the quality of these materials, which is why effective, reliable mortuary temperature monitoring is essential. But it’s not just about temperature—security is also a vital factor that needs to be considered. In this article, we’ll explore why both temperature and security monitoring are essential in mortuaries and how Contronics' solutions can help. However, before diving into mortuary temperature monitoring, let’s first review the national standards for handling these sensitive materials.

The Human Tissue Authority

The Human Tissue Authority, or HTA, is a regulatory body that monitors organisations that remove, store and use human tissue for research, medical treatment, post-mortem examination, education and training. The HTA produces comprehensive codes of practice that ensure that any handling of human tissue is carried out in a consensual, dignified and safe manner.

Among the many standards set by the HTA for handling human tissue, one crucial requirement is the regular monitoring of fridge and freezer temperatures. Organisations, such as mortuaries, must also have a contingency plan to address power failures that could compromise the integrity of stored human tissue. To ensure compliance at the highest level, a continuous temperature monitoring system is essential—and that’s where Contronics can help.

Mortuary Temperature Monitoring

As mentioned above, human tissue is incredibly sensitive to temperature changes. For post-mortems or research to be carried out effectively, it needs to be stored at the right temperature. If not, decomposition can begin, affecting the tissue’s integrity, the respect it deserves, and the quality of any analysis or research that follows.

To ensure the human tissue is preserved appropriately in morgues, laboratory monitoring solutions like ProLog Enterprise can be put in place offering continuous monitoring, reporting and a real-time alarm system that records all temperature readings and alerts you to any temperature excursions as they happen.

A ProLog Enterprise monitoring system is an essential part of any contingency plan. Its real-time notification system alerts personnel to power outages or equipment issues, providing crucial time to take action and safeguard the integrity of stored human tissue and bodies.

Mortuary Door Status Monitoring

Door status in storage areas and equipment can also lead to temperature excursions. This is because frequent or prolonged door openings can let in air that’s too warm or too cold, which can impact the quality of the tissue stored inside.

However, monitoring door status isn’t just about keeping temperatures stable—it’s also about security. Some mortuaries and facilities that store delicate materials, like human tissue, have been faced with cases of unauthorised access to morgues, leading to serious problems like theft, tampering, or mishandling of remains. These incidents only underscore the need for a good monitoring system with a door status sensor.

Our door status sensor integrates seamlessly with your laboratory monitoring solution, tracking door activity and its impact on storage conditions. It helps protect tissue samples by addressing issues in real time and maintaining proper storage protocols.

In conclusion, mortuary temperature monitoring is crucial not only for preserving the integrity of human tissue in line with HTA standards but also for ensuring security and preventing unauthorised access-related incidents. With our advanced temperature monitoring systems and door status sensors, you can confidently maintain these critical standards, providing the reliability and peace of mind needed in such a sensitive environment.

If you'd like to find out more about our monitoring solution, ProLog Enterprise or our door status sensors, get in touch with us today.