Overview of Medical Technology

DEFINITIONS OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Many noted medical technologists proposed definitions for the word ‘Medical Technology’.

 HEINEMAN defined it as the application of the principles of natural, physical, and biological
sciences to the performance of laboratory procedures which aid in the diagnosis and treatment
of diseases.
 FAGELSON defined it as the branch of medicine concerned with the performance of laboratory
determinations and analyses used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and the
maintenance of health.
 Walters defined medical technology or clinical laboratory science as the health profession
concerned with performing laboratory analyses in view of obtaining information necessary in
the diagnosis and treatment of disease as well as in the maintenance of good health.
 RA 5527 defined Medical Technology as an auxiliary branch of laboratory medicine which deals
with the examination of tissues, secretion and excretion of the human body and body fluids by
various electronic, chemical, microscopic and other medical laboratory procedures or
techniques either manual or automated which will aid the physician in the diagnosis study and
treatment of diseases and in the promotion of health in general.
-also known as “Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969”
- June 21, 1969
- 70% of diagnosis rely on the laboratory

CLINICAL LABORATORIES

 Facilities that perform chemical and microscopic examinations.

 These laboratories are found in a variety of settings, both in government and private hospitals,
or free standing laboratories.
 The type of clinical laboratory in a hospital setting depends mainly on the size of the hospital.
 A small size hospital (<100 beds) – perform only routine procedures and that more
complicated or infrequently requested tests may be sent to reference labs.
 A medium size hospital (100-300 beds) – perform all routine tests including more
complicated procedures. Note: Only the most recently developed tests or test with
high level of complexity need to be sent to reference laboratories .
 Large size hospital (over 300 beds) – can handle large volumes of work and perform
complex tests.

PATHOLOGISTS

 Director of a Clinical Laboratory

 Licensed Physician with a specialty in Pathology as certified by the Philippine Board of
Pathology

PATHOLOGY
 “The practice of medicine which contributes to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment through
knowledge gained by laboratory applications of the biologic, chemical or physical sciences to
man or material obtained from a man.”
Divisions:
 Anatomic- the diagnosis or confirmation of diseases through autopsy examination and
cellular differentiation of autopsy and surgical tissues. Ex: HISTOPATHOLOGY

APRIL ROSE D. GANOTICE, RMT, MLS (ASCPi) Page 1

  Clinical- specializes in chemical, microbiological study (study of bacteria and hematologic
(study of bloods) procedures.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST
 Has a baccalaureate degree program from a college or university recognized by the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), has completed a specified clinical internship in a training laboratory
accredited by the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services of the Department of Health(BHFS of
DOH) and has passed the licensure examination administered by the Board of Medical
Technology of the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC).
 Works as a medical detectives.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY GRADUATES

 Government & Private Hospitals
 Clinical Laboratories
 Blood Bank
 Medical technology Specialists
 Clinical Laboratory Supervisors
 Chief Medical Technologists
 Laboratory Owner
 Sales and Industry
 Field of Research

Assignment #1

DISCOVERIES
 Blood circulation :
 Animal to Animal:
 Animal to Human:
 Human to Human:
 ABO Blood Group:
 Beer’s Law:

APRIL ROSE D. GANOTICE, RMT, MLS (ASCPi) Page 2

 The Development of Medical
Technology
Year 460 B.C when the Greek physician Hippocrates also known as ‘father of medicine’ formulated the
famous Hippocratic Oath, the code of ethics for practicing physicians.

4 ‘humors’ or body fluids in man:

 Blood
 Phlegm
 Black Bile
 Yellow Bile

 Urine was regarded as a composite of these humors.

 Urinalysis is regarded as the oldest of laboratory procedures today.
 The polyuria of diabetes was also noted in ancient times as early as 600 BC; a Hindu physician
recorded the sweet taste of diabetic urine. (**Early Hindu doctors made the “scientific
observation” that the urine of certain individuals attracted ants and that such urine has a
sweetish taste.

 Year 1500 BC (Vivian Herrick)

– a medical Technlogist; identified intestinal parasites such as Taenia and Ascaris.

 Ebers Papyrus
– believed that medical technology began when a book for the reatment of diase published. This
book also contained the description of the three stages of hookworm, infection and disease it
could produce to human.

 Ruth Williams
– believe that medical technology began from the medieval period (1096-1438) as supported by
the fact that urinalysis was a fad.

 Anne Fagelson; 14th century

– believe that medical technology began when a prominent Italian doctor at the University of
Bologna employed Alessandra Giliani to perform different tasks in the laboratory. She died due
to laboratory acquired infection.

 Anton Van Leeuwenhoek; 1632

- Invented and improved the compound microscope.
- 1st to describe red blood cells
- 1st to see protozoa
- And to classify bacteria according to shape.

 Malphigi (1628-1694)
- Greatest of the early microscopist
- Founder of pathology

 Rudolph Virchow (1847)

- One of the youngest of the medical specialists.
- Founder of the Archives of Pathology in Berlin.

 In 15th century
- Discovery of the different dyes such as the aniline dyes.

APRIL ROSE D. GANOTICE, RMT, MLS (ASCPi) Page 3

 HISTORY OF MEDTECH in U.S
Dr. William H. Welch (1878)
- Established another laboratory at the Believue Hospital Medical College.
- Gave the 1st laboratory course in Pathology ever offered in an American Medical School.
- In 1885, Dr. Welch became the 1st professor of Pathology at John Hopkins University.

Dr. William Osler

- 1st clinical laboratory was opened in 1896 at the John Hopkins Hospital.
- In this laboratory, routine examinations were carried out, special attention being given to
the search for malarial parasites in the blood.
- A clinical laboratory was also opened at the University of Pennsylvania in 1896 (William
Pepper Laboratory)

Dr. James Todd

- Wrote “A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis”
- The book was retitled “Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods” in its 19 th edition which
became the standard reference for laboratories.

In 1900 census, 100 technicians, all male were employed in the United States.
In 1920, the number increased to 3500.
In 1922, 3035 hospitals had clinical laboratories.

*One of the 1st schools for training workers was established at the University of Minnesota. A course
bulletin was entitled “Courses in Medical Technology for Clinical and Laboratory Technicians” was issued
in 1922.

University of Minnesota
- 1st to offer a degree level program believed to be in 1923.

World War I was an important factor in the growth of the clinical laboratory and produced a great
demand for technicians.
World War II marked effect on laboratory medicine. The use of blood increased and the “closed system”
of blood collection was widely adopted.
**Read more about world war I and world war II**

HISTORY OF MEDTECH IN THE PHILIPPINES

World War II is the most widespread war that occurred from 1939 to 1945. On the 7 th day of December
in 1941, the Pearl Harbor was invaded by Japan. Three days after, Japan invaded the Philippines causing
the wrath of the US to flare up. The effects of the war between the two rivals were very grave. Sickness
and death due to illness were rampant.

1994
- US bases were built in Leyte (around 75 miles away from Manila Bay)

January 9, 1945
- 850 US ships of the 6th US army began a round-about to Lingayen Gulf attempting to mislead
the Japanese.
- Real medical facilities were made available to the Philippines which includes the 26 th
Medical Laboratory of the 6th US Army. The said laboratory was located at Quiricada, Sta.
Cruz Manila but known as the Public Health Laboratory, a division of Manila Health
Department.

February 1945
- Training of civilians to become members of the health care team

September 1945

APRIL ROSE D. GANOTICE, RMT, MLS (ASCPi) Page 4

 - World war ended.
- Month after, laboratory was formerly re-organized by Dr. Pio de Roda and assisted by Dr.
Mariano Icasiano who was the manila city health officer. The laboratory was later named
Manila Public Health Laboratory.

Dr. Pio de Roda (1947)

- Offered training program for individuals aspiring to become laboratory workers, in
collaboration with Dr. Prudencia Sta. Ana.
- He instructed Dra. Sta Ana to prepare a formal syllabus of the training program.
- In 1954, the training began using a syllabus and it was to last for 6months.
- A shortwhile after, Dr. Briones joined the two.

Self directed activity: Read about: (Chapter 2, pages 4, 5 and 6 of Rabor MTLBE book)
** The Formal Medical Technology Education in The Philippines
**The Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET)

Reference:
Medical Technology Laws and Ethics, A collection of Philippine Laws, Statues, and Codes of Medical Technology
Profession by Rabor Rodolfo, Navarro Ana Leah, Sabroso Jasmin.

The Philippine Medical Technology Law

R.A. 5527
- an act requiring the registration of Medical Technologists defining their practice, and for other
purposes.
- “Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969”
- approved on June 21, 1969

Ammendments were made on R.A. 5527:

 R.A 6138
 PD 498
 PD 1534

1.) R.A 6138

- approved on August 31, 1970
a.) Sec 16 – Qualifications for Examination
b.) Sec 21 – Isuuance of Certification of Registration
c.) Sec 22 – Fees

2.) PD 498
- approved on June 28, 1974
a.) Sec 2
b.) Sec 3
c.) Sec 4
d.) Sec 7
e.) Sec 8
f.) Sec 11
g.) Sec 13
h.) Sec 16
i.) Sec 17
j.) Sec 21
h.) Sec 29

APRIL ROSE D. GANOTICE, RMT, MLS (ASCPi) Page 5

3.) PD 1534
- approved June 11, 1978
a.) Sec 3
b.) Sec 8
c.) Sec 13

Republic Act No. 5527

Section 1: Title

Section 2: Definion of Terms

a. Practice of Medical Technology

 Examination of tissues, secretions and excretion of the human body and body fluids.
 Blood banking procedures & techniques
 Parasitologic, Mycologic and Microbiologic, Virologic Procedures & Techniques
 Histopathologic & Cytopathologic Procedures
 Clinical Research
 Preparation of reagents, standards, stains and others.
 Clin. Lab. QC
 Collection & Preservation of Specimens

b. Pathologist
c. Medical Technologist
d. Medical Laboratory Technicians
e. Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory
f. Recognized School of Medical Technology
g. Council
h. Board

Section 3: Council of Medical Technology Education, & its Composition

 Chairman
 Vice Chairman
 Director
 2 members of the Board of Med tech
 Representative of the Deans of Schools of Medtech & Public Health
 President of the Philippine Society of Pathologists and the PAMET
 PAMET, members

Section 4: Compensation and Traveling Expense of Council Member

Section 5: Functions of the Council of Medical Technology Education

a. To recommend the minimum required curriculum for the course of medical technology
b. To determine and prescribe the number of students to be allowed to take up the medical technology
course in each school, taking into account the student instructor ratio and the availability of facilities for
instruction.
c. To approve medical technology schools meeting the requirements and recommend
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Section 6. Minimum Required Course.

APRIL ROSE D. GANOTICE, RMT, MLS (ASCPi) Page 6

Section 7. Medical Technology Board

Section 8. Qualifications of Board Members

Section 9. Executive Officer of the Board

Section 10. Compensation of Members of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology

Section 11: Functions and Duties of MT Board

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Section 12 : Removal of Board Mebers

Section 13: Accrediation of Schools of Medical Technology and of Training Laboratories

Section 14: Inhibition against the practice of Medical Technologwy

Section 15: Examination

Section 16. Qualifications for Examination

Section 17. Scope of Examination

CC: 20%
Micro & Para: 20%
Hematology: 20%
BB and Sero: 20%
CM: 10%
Histo & MTLBE: 10%

Section 18: Report of Rating

Section 19: Rating in the Examination

Section 20: Oath Taking

Section 21: Issuance of COR (Certificate of Recognition)

Section 22: fees

Section 23: Refusal to Issue Certificate

Section 24: Administrative Investigation

Assignment :
Section 25 to Section 29

Section 30: Separability Clause

Section 31: Repealing Clause
Section 32: Effectivity

APRIL ROSE D. GANOTICE, RMT, MLS (ASCPi) Page 7

 Reference:
Medical Technology Laws and Ethics, A collection of Philippine Laws, Statues, and Codes of Medical Technology
Profession by Rabor Rodolfo, Navarro Ana Leah, Sabroso Jasmin.

APRIL ROSE D. GANOTICE, RMT, MLS (ASCPi) Page 8