The Development of an Appropriate Model for the Management of Coronavirus 2019 Infected Corpses in the Area of Ubon Ratchathani

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the situation of the management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpses in the area of Ubon Ratchathani, 2) develop an appropriate model for the management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpses, and 3) evaluate the development of a model for the management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpse. The McKinsey 7S model was use as the research’s conceptual model.  The mixed method research was conducted. There were three phases of the research including 1) study the current situation of the management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpse by literature review and in-depth interviews, 2) develop an appropriate model for management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpse, and 3) evaluate the results of the development of a model for management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpse by using a questionnaire as a research tool.

The results found that 1) the situation of the management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpses in the area of Ubon Ratchathani illustrated that was unable to comply the procedures for disposing of infected corpses prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health due to (1) lack of project plans, (2) budget shortages, (3) workers lack skills in handling corpses infected with Coronavirus 2019, (4) some villages do not have a closed cremation system, (5) lack of effective risk communication with the public, and (6) lack of coordination with the authorities related work in the area. Phase two of developing a model for the Coronavirus 2019 infected corpses that was appropriated in Ubon Ratchathani Province, it was found that there was an order to appoint a working group for managing the Coronavirus 2019 infected corpses, and a temple or religious place was established in the area and registered as a place for cremation of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpses with clear and practicable operating procedures and can be operated in every district area. The evaluation of the develop an appropriate model for the management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpses found that the overall was in high level (x̅= 3.66). There were 5 domains high level respectively as follow: structure (x̅= 4.21), staff (x̅= 3.91), strategy (x̅= 3.60), system (x̅= 3.60), and shared value (x̅=3.55). There were 2 domains of medium level: skills (x̅= 3.40) and style) (x̅= 3.34) respectively. The assessment of relative satisfaction of the deceased by Coronavirus 2019 was high level (x̅= 4.21). There were 7 domains of high level: style (x̅= 4.33), shared value (x̅= 4.28), staff (x̅=4.22), skills (x̅= 4.20), structure (x̅= 4.16), system (x̅= 4.15), and strategy (x̅= 4.11).

The policy proposals are as follows: 1) relevant agencies prepare a budget plan to support the management of Coronavirus 2019 infected corpses, 2) allocate risk costs for workers, and 3) develop an infectious cremation system to suit the context and problem conditions of each area.