PMLS Reviewer: History of Medical Technology

Medical Technology Overview

• Branch of allied health professions encompassing disciplines like chemistry, microbiology, and clinical microscopy.
• Hippocrates, known as the Father of Medicine, measured body fluids based on the Four Humors theory from 300 B.C. to 180 A.D.

The Four Humors

• Blood: Sanguine temperament (cheerful), linked to air and spring.
• Yellow Bile: Choleric temperament (energetic), associated with fire and summer.
• Black Bile: Melancholic temperament (sadness), connected to earth and winter.
• Phlegm: Phlegmatic temperament (patient), related to water and maturity.

Historical Figures

• Galen: Identified diabetes and the connection between fluid intake and urine volume.
• Elie Metchnikoff: Known for phagocytosis.
• Jonas Salk: Developed the polio vaccine.
• Karl Landsteiner: Discovered the ABO blood group.

Signs of Diabetes

• Polyphagia: Increased eating.
• Polydipsia: Increased thirst.
• Polyuria: Increased urination.

Hematology and Testing Procedures

• Fields include hematology, immunology, microbiology, and molecular diagnostics.
• Identify pathogens like HIV and various bacteria.
• General order of draw for blood collection: Yellow, Light Blue, Red/Gold, Green, Lavender, Gray.

Anticoagulants

• Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate (SPS) for blood cultures.
• Sodium Citrate for hemocoagulation.
• EDTA for complete blood counts.

Medtech Professional Attributes

• Expected qualities: Self-confidence, accuracy, trustworthiness, reliability, honesty, and integrity.

Accuracy vs Precision

• Accuracy: True to the intended target.
• Precision: Consistency of results.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

• Ranges from 70 mg/dL to 100 mg/dL.

Medical Technology History Timeline

• 1920: Chief Physicians directed clinical labs.
• 1922: ASCP established to promote technical expertise.
• 1950: Licensure laws enacted for medical technologists.

Medical Technology in the Philippines

• 1565: First medical establishment by Spaniards (Hospital Real).
• 1945: Reopening of Manila Public Health Laboratory after WWII.

Notable Medical Technology Developments

• Innovations: Stethoscope (1816), X-Ray (1859), ECG (1903), and more.
• Emergence of laboratory specialists including histotechnologists and phlebotomists.

Types of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Pyelonephritis: Upper UTI, presence of bacteria and WBC/PUS.
• Cystitis: Lower UTI, with bacterial infection and WBC presence.

Basic Definitions

• TAT (Turn Around Time): Timeliness in delivering lab results.
• Uroscopy: Ancient practice of examining urine for diagnosis.

Clinical Laboratory Roles

• Phlebotomists: Skilled in blood draw techniques.
• Medical Laboratory Technicians: Assist and conduct basic tests under supervision.
• Pathologists: Physicians specialized in laboratory diagnosis.
• Nuclear Medical Technologists: Focus on body functions for disease diagnosis.

Professional Ethics and Responsibilities

• Upholding confidentiality of patient results.
• Collaborating with physicians to improve patient outcomes.
• Engaging in research to enhance medical technologies and practices.

Explore the fascinating development of medical technology with this quiz. Discover the key contributions of figures like Hippocrates and learn about the foundational concepts such as the Four Humors. Test your knowledge on various disciplines within the field of medical technology.