MODULE 3 - DEFINING THE PRACTICE OF MT PROFESSION PDF

Defining the Practice of a Medical Technology/ Clinical Laboratory Science Professional Prepared by: Kathleen Mae M. Napiza, RMT  LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. Discuss the practice of medical technology focusing on the nature of the profession in relation to the detection and diagnosis of diseases....

Defining the Practice of a Medical Technology/ Clinical Laboratory Science Professional Prepared by: Kathleen Mae M. Napiza, RMT  LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. Discuss the practice of medical technology focusing on the nature of the profession in relation to the detection and diagnosis of diseases. 2. Differentiate medical technologists from other laboratory personnel such as laboratory technicians, pathologists.  NATURE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY it is important to understand the connection between science and technology. SCIENCE Primarily concerned with the study of the natural world and the interrelationship among the biological, psychological and even the social world Discipline in science constantly evolved to adapt to the needs of the human beings. Medical Technology are highly dependent on the developments in the scientific disciplines and areas such as chemistry, electronics, optics and mechanics among others, in order to develop a utilizable biotechnology that will aid in the diagnosis of diseases TECHNOLOGY is the application of Science in the ways that are considered beneficial to society. 3 ways to define Technology: 1. Physical artefact, machine or instrument 2. Activity or a means to accomplish goal 3. Knowledge  Rogers (1983) “Technology is a design for instrument action that reduces the uncertainty in the cause –effect relationship involved in achieving a desired outcomes” TECHNOLOGY CONSISTS OF: Physical elements of technology: Equipment, material, or products Intangible elements of technology: Knowledge, skills, procedure, principle, or information base required to successful implement of technology.  MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY is designed to improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease with increasing automation and innovation in computer technology, technologists’ work become less hand-on and more analytical with the aim of improving efficiency, reducing risks, and enhancing the quality of care provided to individuals. Clinical Laboratory Testing plays role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Clinical Laboratory Scientist perform most of laboratory test that are involved in the examination and analysis of body fluids tissues and cells Roles of Clinical Laboratory Scientists 1. Look for the presence of bacteria, parasites and other microorganisms 2. Analyze the chemical content of fluids, match blood for transfusions 3. Test drug levels in blood to show a patient’s response to a specific treatment. 4. Prepare specimen for examination to count cell, and look for abnormal cell in the blood and body fluids. 5. They use microscope, cell counters and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. 6. Use of automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of test simultaneously. 7. Analyzes results Medical Technology Practice Defined: In the Philippines the Medical Technology Profession and its practice is governed and define in section two (2) of R.A 5527, also known as the Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969 Section 2.a Practice of Medical Technology - A person shall be deemed to be in the practice of medical technology within the meaning of this act, who shall for a fee, salary or other compensation or reward paid or given directly or indirectly through another renders any of the following professional services for the purpose of aiding the physician in the diagnosis, study and treatment of disease and in the promotion of health in general:  1. Examination of tissues secretions and excretions of the human body and body fluids by various electronic, chemical, microscopic, bacteriologic, hematologic, serologic, immunologic, nuclear, and other laboratory procedures and techniques either manual or automated; 2. Blood banking procedures and techniques 3. Parasitological, mycologic and microbiologic procedures and techniques. 4. Histopathologic and cytotechnology; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall inhibit a duly registered medical laboratory technician from performing histopathologic techniques and procedures. 5. Clinical research involving patients or human being requiring the use of and/ or application of medical technology knowledge and procedures; 6. Preparations and standardization of reagents, standards, stains and others, provided such reagents, standards, stains are exclusively for use of their laboratory. 7. Clinical laboratory quality control 8. Collection and preservation of specimens Medical Technologists’ Code of Ethics revised version by Prof. Rodolfo Rabor: As I enter into the practice of Medical Technology, ✓I shall accept the responsibilities inherent to being a professional; I shall uphold the law and shall not engage in illegal work nor cooperate with anyone so engaged; I shall avoid associating or being identified with any enterprise of questionable character; ✓I shall work and act in a strict spirit of fairness to employer, clients, contractors, employees and in a spirit of personal helpfulness and fraternity toward other members of the profession; ✓I shall use only honorable means of competition for professional employment or services and shall refrain form unfairly injuring, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, projects or business of a fellow medical technologist; I shall accept employment from more than one employer only when there is no conflict of interest; ✓I shall perform professional work in a manner that merits full confidence and trust carried out with absolute reliability, accuracy, fairness and honesty; ✓I shall review the professional work of other medical technologists, when requested, fairly and in confidence whether they are subordinates or employees, authors of proposals for grants or contracts, authors of technical papers or other publications or involved in litigation; ✓ I shall advance the profession by exchanging general information and experience with fellow medical technologists and other professionals and by contributing to the work of professional organizations; ✓I shall restrict my praises, criticisms, views and opinions within constructive limits and shall not use the knowledge I know for selfish ends; ✓ I shall treat any information I acquired about individuals in the course of my work as strictly confidential, and may be divulged only to authorized persons or entities or with consent of the individual when necessary; ✓ I shall report any infractions of these principles of professional conduct to the authorities responsible for the enforcement of applicable laws or regulations, or to the Ethics Committee of the Philippines Association of may be appropriate. Medical Technologists as may be appropriate. ✓To these principles, I hereby subscribe and pledge to conduct myself at all times in a manner befitting the dignity of my profession.  The original version of the medical technology code of ethics was written by Dr. Nardito Moraleta Roles and Responsibilities of Medical Technology Professionals: Perform Clinical Laboratory Testing: - A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/ Medical Laboratory Science is expected to show competency in performing routine laboratory tests including urinalysis and stool examination. - Capable of performing hematologic, microbiologic, serologic, chemical, and other procedures in different areas of laboratory science.  Perform Special Procedures: - Medical technologists are also expected to perform special procedures. Special procedures can also include molecular and nuclear diagnostics. Ensure Accuracy and Precision of Results: - In performing different procedures to diagnose diseases, some medical technologists should always be conscious of the accuracy and precision of both the testing process and its results. Accuracy and precision impacts the interpretation of results by the physician to provide proper medication in the treatment of disease. ACCURACY & PRECISION ACCURACY PRECISION Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the Precision is how close measurements are to true value measurements with known values. each other. The closer your measurements are to the The closer each measurement is to the other known value, the more accurate the measurements, the more precise your measurement. measurement. Both accuracy and precision are the goal of any measurement. Variations in accuracy and precision are largely controllable.  Be Honest in Practice – A practicing medical technologists, like other professional, is expected to be honest in the practice of his or her work. It is important that a medical technologist’s values honesty, particularly in conveying or reporting the results of any laboratory procedure. Ensure Timely Delivery of Results - Medical technologists must be aware of urgency of delivering results on time especially in cases that require urgent treatment. There are time when physician will request laboratory tests which require immediate actions. One should take notation on “STAT” or even observe the source of the requests (from ER or OR).  Demonstrate Professionalism - He or she is aware of the laws and regulations governing the practice of medical technology and should not exploit its function beyond its boundaries. - In the Philippines, the practice of medical technology profession is governed by R.A. 5527 or the Philippine Medical Technology Act 1969. Other governing regulations are supplemented by the Clinical Laboratory Act of 1966 (R.A. 4688) and the Blood Banking act of 1956 (R.A 1517). National organizations such as the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET) and the Philippine Association of Schools of Medical technology and Public Health (PASMETH) also have their own constitution and by-laws in accordance with the governing laws and code of ethics  Uphold Confidentiality - Ensuring confidentiality of patient’s information is one of the core duties within the medical practice. Confidentiality requires health care providers to keep a patient’s personal health information private unless the patient consents to release the information. Collaborate with other Health Care Professionals - A medical technology professional is required to collaborate with other health care practitioner in order to build a well-functioning team.  Conduct Research - Practicing medical technologists must be engaged in research activities to update their skills. Research works, whether experimental or descriptive can contribute significantly to the discovery of new knowledge in the field of medical technology and in assessing and revisiting already known ones. - It can be great help in the further development of the field and may be used as future reference for patient care. Involvement in Health Promotion Programs: Medical Technology is a multi-disciplinary field which consistently ventures into other areas of health care including health promotion. A medical technology professional must be actively involved in reaching out to the community. There are many ways by which the medical technology profession can help improve the lives of people. The following are some ways that medical technology professional can help the community.  1. Cooperate with other health care professional in health promotion campaigns such as promoting ideal attitudes on hygiene, community sanitation, waste segregation and disease prevention. 2. Implement pre-planned programs of health promotion campaign 3. Offer free laboratory testing such as blood typing, urinalysis, fecalysis, blood sugar, testing, cholesterol testing, and other tests beneficial to the entire community. 4. Collaborate with other health care professionals once diagnoses are done. Defining The Practice of Other Laboratory Personnel: Pathologists: - As Defined in R.A 5527: A pathologist is a duly registered physician who is specially trained in method of laboratory medicine, or the gross and microscopic study and interpretation of tissues, secretions and excretion of the human body and its function in order to diagnose disease, follow its course, determine the effectivity of treatment, ascertain cause of death, and advance medicine by means of research. - A pathologist is always considered the head a clinical laboratory and monitor all laboratory results. A laboratory result without the signature of a pathologists may not be considered valid. Medical Laboratory Technicians - As defined in R.A 5527: A medical laboratory technician is a person certified by and registered with the Board of Medical Technology and qualified to assist a medical technologist and /or qualified pathologists in the practice of medical technology as defined in the aforementioned act QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Failed to pass the medical technology licensure examination given by the Board of Medical Technology but obtained a general rating of at least 70% and provided finally that a registered medical laboratory technician when employed in the government shall have the equivalent civil service eligibility not lower the second grade. 2. Passed the civil service examination for medical technicians given on March 21, 1969. 3. Finished a two years’ college course and has at least one (1) year experience of working as a medical laboratory technician, two (2) years of work experience may be substituted; AND provided further that the applicant has at least ten (10) years of experience as medical laboratory technician as of the date of approval of this decree.  Phlebotomist - is an individual trained to draw blood either for laboratory test or for blood donations. - Performs skin puncture for small amount of blood collection and venipunctures for larger volumes. Cytotechnologist - is laboratory personnel who works with the pathologists to detect changes in body cells which may be important in the early diagnosis of disease. - This is primarily done by examining microscopic slides of body cells for abnormalities or anomalies in structure either benign or malignant condition Pappanicolaou (Pap) Test and H&E – most commonly used staining techniques in Cytology  Histotechnologist - Also referred as histotechnician, is a laboratory personnel responsible for a routine preparation, processing and staining of biopsies and tissue specimens for microscopic examination by a pathologists - In United States, one can complete the histotechnician program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) Nuclear Medical Technologist - It is a medical technology professional who works alongside nuclear physician. Nuclear medical technologist apply their knowledge of radiation physics and safety regulations to limit radiation exposure, prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals and use radiation detection devices and other kind of laboratory equipment that measure the quality and distribution of radionuclides deposited in the patient or in the patient’s specimen.  Toxicologist - studies and effects of toxic substances on the physiological functions of human being, animals, and plants to develop data for use in consumer protection and industrial safety programs. - He or she also designed and conducts studies to determine physiological effects of various substances on the laboratory animals, plants, and human tissue using biological and biochemical technique