Simple hand-held metal detectors are an effective means of detecting cardiac pacemakers in the deceased prior to cremation.
The hazard of undetected cardiac pacemakers exploding in crematoria is well described. This short report describes the use of an affordable hand-held metal detector to detect cardiac pacemakers. Over the course of a year, the metal detector located 100% of cardiac pacemakers in a district general hospital mortuary. A simple model using pigskin and fat is also used to demonstrate the effectiveness in vitro. Commercially purchased hand-held metal detectors should be used in all mortuaries responsible for detection and removal of cardiac pacemakers prior to cremation.
Stone
Jason Lyle
JL
Department of Histopathology, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Doncaster DN2 5LT, UK. jason.stone@dbh.nhs.uk
Williams
John
J
Fearn
Lesley
L
D000818:Animals; D055700:Cremation; D005107:Explosions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009027:Mortuary Practice / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods; D034421:Sus scrofa
D008670:Metals