History of Medical Technology and Definitions

History of the Profession

• The profession is represented by Jeanne Nicci C. Orcena, RMT.
• A religious quote is included, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Definition of Medical Technology

• Medical technology is defined as the "application of principles of natural, physical, and biological sciences to the performance of laboratory procedures which aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases." (Heinemann)
• Another definition: "the branch of medicine concerned with the performance of laboratory determinations and analyses used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and maintenance of health." (Anne Fagelson)
• A third definition: "an auxiliary branch of laboratory medicine which deals with the examination by various chemical, microscopic, bacteriologic and other medical procedures. Technique which will aid the physician in the diagnosis, study and treatment of disease and in the promotion of health in general." (Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969)

Global History

• Hippocrates (460 B.C.):
  • Greek physician
  • Founder of scientific medicine
  • Determined the correlation between anatomical and chemical lab findings with disease causes.
  • Used a triad of regimen to treat diseases, utilizing drugs, surgery, and bloodletting.
• Vivian Herrick:
  • A medical technologist
  • Mentioned intestinal parasites and taenia in writings.
• Ebers Papyrus:
  • Book for treatment of diseases
  • Describes three stages of hookworm infection
• Early Hindu doctors:
  • Recognized the scientific observation that certain urine attracted ants and had a sweet taste.
• Alessandra Giliani (14th Century):
  • Prominent Italian physician
  • Worked at the University of Bologna
  • Performed tasks now part of medical technology.
  • Died from a lab-acquired infection.
• Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723):
  • Invented and improved the compound microscope.
  • First to describe red blood cells, protozoa, and to classify bacteria.
• Malphigi (1628-1694):
  • Described as the greatest early microscopist.
  • Worked in embryology and anatomy, marking him as the founder of Pathology.
• Rudolph Virchow:
  • Many believed pathology began with his practice.
  • One of the youngest medical specialists, founding the Archives of Pathology in Berlin in 1847.
• Herman von Fehling (1848):
  • Performed the first quantitative test for urine in the 19th century.
  • Aniline dyes for staining microorganisms were developed.
  • This allowed for improved microscopic study of bacteria.

History of Medical Technology in the Philippines

• Laboratorio Municipal de Manila:
  • First public health lab, established around 1883, for examining food, water, and clinical specimens.
• 26th Medical Laboratory of the 8th U.S. Army:
  • Introduced medical technology practice after World War II.
• Manila Public Health Laboratory:
  • First modern clinical lab in the Philippines established here.
• Dr. Alfredo Pio de Roda, Dr. Mariano Icasiano:
  • Reorganized and formally organized the Manila Public Health Laboratory.
• Dr. Prudencia Sta. Ana:
  • Prepared a 6-month syllabus for medical technologists.
• Philippine Union College (PUC) & Manila Sanitarium (now Adventist University of the Philippines):
  • In 1953, the first medical technology school began (2-year course).
• Willa Hilgert Hedrick:
  • Led the medical technology school.
• Dr. Jesse Umali:
  • First graduate of PUC,
• Dr. Gustavo Reyes, Dr. Serafin Juliano: -Organized PASMETH which became part of PAMET.
• PAMET (Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc.):
  • National organization of registered medical technologists.
• Mr. Crisanto Almario:
  • Organized PAMET in 1963, therefore considered Father of PAMET.
• September 20, 1964:
  • First National PAMET convention.
• Charlemagne Tamondong:
  • First PAMET president.

Third Week of September

• Celebration of Medical Technology (MT) profession.

Explore the foundational principles and historical context of medical technology in this quiz. Discover various definitions and the impact of laboratory procedures on disease diagnosis and treatment. This content is essential for anyone studying the field of medical technology.