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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Santa Barbara County Grand Jury • 2013-2014

Sheriff-Coroner’s Bureau: The Manner of Death – a Final Diagnosis

26 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 13 findings

F1 Page 45

The continuing use of part-time retired staff is not adequate to assist during autopsies.

F2 Page 45

Specialized training of the staff in the areas of infection control and blood-borne pathogens is inconsistent.

F3a Page 46

The presence of lingering noxious odors in the Coroner’s Bureau indicates that the existing ventilation system is not adequate.

F3b Page 46

A code compliant ventilation system is necessary to control and prevent the potential of infectious agents affecting the health of Bureau staff and the public.

F4 Page 46

Currently there is no isolation area in the Coroner’s Bureau suitable for performing autopsies on high-risk cases.

F5 Page 46

The current autopsy room air conditioner is not adequate to provide an efficient, comfortable working environment.

F6 Page 46

The Goleta Sanitary District failed to issue the correct Industrial Wastewater Permit under its Ordinance No. 77, to the Coroner Bureau.

F7 Page 47

There is no log to record the internal temperature of the autopsy room evidence refrigerator.

F8 Page 47

The Coroner’s Bureau does not have an eye wash station.

F9 Page 47

Inefficient and obsolete dictation equipment is currently used during autopsies.

F10 Page 47

The air conditioning unit in the portable building is not sufficient to provide a comfortable working environment on warm days.

F11 Page 47

The landscape area surrounding the Coroner’s Bureau is a weed patch overrun by rodents.

F12 Page 47

A Coroner’s Bureau is not required to be accredited.

Recommendations 14

R1
Page 27

Santa Barbara County Supervisor, 2nd District, Janet Wolf – 90 days
R2a
Page 45

That the Sheriff-Coroner implement policies and procedures that require training of each Coroner’s Bureau employee in areas of infection control and blood borne pathogens on an annual basis.
R2b
Page 45

That the Sheriff-Coroner provide for employee training records to be maintained on site at the Coroner’s Bureau and to be updated annually. 2 012-2013 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury
R3a
Page 46

That the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors allocate the funds to retain a mechanical engineering firm to study and make design recommendations for the Coroner facility ventilation system.
R3b
Page 46

That the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors allocate the funds to implement the design recommendations for the ventilation system in the Coroner’s facility.
R4
Page 46

That the Sheriff-Coroner provide an isolated area in the Coroner’s Bureau suitable for performing autopsies on high-risk cases.
R5
Page 46

That the Sheriff-Coroner upgrade the air conditioning system in the current autopsy room to provide an efficient, comfortable working environment until the engineering study is completed and recommendations are implemented.
R6
Page 46

That The Goleta Sanitary District issue the appropriate permit consistent with the Bureau’s application for discharge of medical waste from autopsies. 2 012-2013 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury
R7
Page 47

That the Sheriff-Coroner require that a daily refrigeration internal temperature log be maintained on the autopsy room evidence refrigerator.
R8
Page 47

That the Sheriff-Coroner install an eye wash station in each autopsy room.
R9
Page 47

That the Sheriff-Coroner purchase and install digital dictation equipment for efficiency in preservation of and access to the pathologist’s findings.
R10
Page 47

That the Sheriff-Coroner provide an air conditioning system sufficient to cool the portable building.
R11
Page 47

That within the next six months the Sheriff-Coroner install landscaping, provide rodent removal and implement a regular maintenance schedule.
R12
Page 47

That the Board of Supervisors include in all long-range strategic planning the goal of establishing and staffing a more centrally located facility that is eligible for full accreditation by the National Association of Medical Examiners. 2 012-2013 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Elected County Office