MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY LAWS AND BIOETHICS:

THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
 Anne Fagelson (1961): “the branch of medicine concerned with the
performance of laboratory determinations and analyses used in the
diagnosis and treatment of disease and the maintenance of health”
 Ruth Heinemann (1963): “the application and the principles of natural,
physical, and biological sciences to the performance of laboratory
procedures which aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease”
 RA 5527: “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 and techniques either manual or automated which
will aid the physician in the diagnosis, study and treatment of disease, and in
the promotion of health in general”

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION

- Having a distinct body of knowledge
-Maintaining standards of excellence (board exams)
- Formulating code of ethics: MTP: Formulating
- Endeavoring to elevate the profession to a position of dignity and social standing
- Organizing and developing a professional, qualifying association
- Setting criteria for recruitment and training

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

PATHOLOGIST (head of the laboratory)

 Clinical- MedTech 2.0
 Anatomical- Biopsy and Autopsy

REGISTERED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST- person with a degree in MT or PH who has

passed the board exam
 Medical Technician- a graduate of BSMT; failed to achieve 75% in Board
Exam; assists the RMT
 Mt Intern- a 4th year student, still enrolled in university; on hospital under
training
 Mt Extern- a person who already graduated but undergoes a training in a
hospital without pay
 SCOPE OF PRACTICE
1. Assuring reliable test results which contribute to the prevention, diagnosis,
prognosis, treatment of physiologic and pathologic conditions. This requires:
a) Producing accurate results
b) Correlating and interpreting test data
c) Assessing and improving existing lab methods
d) Designing, evaluating and implementing new methods

Accurate- how close the test result is to the true value

Precision- how close are the test results to each other after repeated
measurement
Goal: High Accuracy, High Precision
QC- Quality Control
QA- Quality Assurance

2. Designing and implementing cost-effective administrative procedures for lab

including services and personnel and education for lab personnel
 cost-effective administrative procedures- best quality out of the invested
money
 the repeatability is good (how precise the results are

3. Developing and monitoring to include quality control and quality assurance

system of services and competence assurance of personnel

4. Promoting an awareness and understanding of the services they render to the

consumer/public or other health care professionals

HISTORY OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

460 BC- HIPPOCRATES

- the physician of experience and common sense
- “Father of Medicine”
- separated clinical medicine from theology and philosophy
- disease is caused by the imbalance of 4 humors (imbalance= illness)
- 4 humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile
-formulated the famous Hippocratic oath

Hippocratic Oath
- Private contract between the physician and his teacher
- promise to practice medicine for the benefit of the patient
- prohibition against the giving of lethal drugs
- prohibits using medical knowledge to cause danger/injury to the sick
- knows his limitation, refer to specialist
- does not practice medicine for the sake of money
- like a craftsman who has practiced the skill, entitled a fee for his service

1500 BC- VIVIAN HERRICK

- traced the beginning of MT when intestinal parasites such as taenia (taenia
solium) and ascaris were identified
-Anenzoa: Arabian physician
MONDINO DE LUZZI: italian doctor

EBERS PAPYRUS
-book of treatment
- oldest preserved Egyptian compilation of medical texts
- 110 pages long scroll- 20 meters long
- contains chapters about pregnancy, eye and skin problems, surgery, burns, and
intestinal disease and parasites

URINALYSIS- fad during the Medieval Period (Hindu physicians)

HERMAN VON FEHLING: Fehling’s Test ( a chemical test used to detect reducing
sugars and aldehydes in a solution)

14TH CENTURY- ANNE FAGELSON

- believed that MT began when an Italian doctor at the University of Bologna
employed Alessandra Gillani to perform different tasks in the laboratory
ALESSANDRA GILLANI: prosector (dissects corpses); died from hospital acquiring
disease

17TH CENTURY- ANTON VAN LEEUWENHOEK

- invented the first functional microscope
- He was the first to describe RBC, protozoans, and classify bacteria according to
shape
- cocci (round); bacilli (rod-shaped)

MARCELLO MALPHIGI- “Father of Pathology”; greatest microscopist

RUDOLPH VIRCHOW: “Father of Modern Pathology”
- Father of Cellular Pathology; founder of ARCHIVES OF PATHOLOGY
in Berlin; introduced Autopsy
Pathology- study of illness/disease

18TH CENTURY - medical practitioners from NORTH AFRICA AND SOUTHERN EUROPE
received classical medical education (4 basic humors)
MID 19TH CENTURY: aniline dyes were discovered and bacteria were stained for
more accurate identification
LATE 19TH CENTURY: emergence of clinical laboratories in US; realization of the
importance of clinical laboratories

DR. SILAS DOUGLAS: established the FIRST CHEMICAL LABORATORY (related to

medicine) at University of Michigan
BARON KARL VON HUMBOLDT: established an Anatomical Pathology &
Bacteriology laboratory to elucidate cause of disease by laboratory exams

1858: The University of Cambridge established the school to have part time
practicing clinicians as teachers in the application of lab practices and medical
teaching (FIRST TEACHERS)

1878- DR. WILLIAM H. WELCH: Bellevue Hospital Medical College

- first professor of Pathology at the John Hopkins University (1885)
SIMON FLEXNER: 1st pathologist at JHH

1896- WILLIAM OSLER: opened the first clinical laboratory at JHH

WILLIAM PEPPER LABORATORY: University of Pennsylvania

DR. WILLIAM OCCAM: learned the importance of investigation through lab

methods; evaluate a px with dse (patient with disease)
DR. CALVIN ELLIS: 1st to utilized the microscope to examine specimen at
Massachusetts General Hospital
JOHN SCOTT BURDON-SANDERSON: applied laboratory methods to his practice of
medicine & initiated the use of laboratory methods for examination to help
diagnose disease

1908- Dr James C. Todd: A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis

Dr. James C. Todd & Dr. Arthur Sanford: A manual of clinical diagnosis, 6th edition
Davidson & Henry: 19th edition- Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods

1911: formal acceptance of lab service as basis of diagnosis of disease

1915- STATE LEGISLATURE OF PENNSYLVANIA: enacted a law requiring all hospitals
and institutions to have an adequate lab and to employ full time laboratory
technician
1940- UNITED STATES: started a 2 yr college education and a 12 month actual
training in the laboratory for preparation of the practice

WORLD WAR 1: important factor in the growth of the clinical laboratory

WORLD WAR II: “ERA OF SOPHISTICATION” of Laboratory Medicine
 HISTORY OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY: PHILIPPINE SETTING

26TH MEDICAL LABORATORY OF THE 6TH US ARMY: January 9, 1945

-208, Quiricada, Sta. Cruz, Manila
-Manila Public Health Laboratory
FEBRUARY 1945: training of HS graduates to work as lab technicians
JUNE 1945: 6th US Army left the Philippines

DR. ALFREDO PIO DE RODA: reorganized the laboratory left by the US Army
DR. MARIANO ICASIANO: assisted Dr. de Roda
OCTOBER 1, 1945: date or reorganization by Dr. de Roda

FEBRUARY 1947: training program for high school and paramedical graduates
1954: Dr. Prudencia Sta. Ana made a formal syllabus
DR. TIRSO BRIONES: assisted Dr. Prudencia Sta Ana in making a syllabus

MRS. WILLA HILGERT HEDRICK: the founder of Medical Technology Education in the
Philippines; missionary od the Seventh Day Adventist
PHILIPPINE UNION COLLEGE OF BAESA, CALOOCAN CITY (1954): offered the first
year BSMT course
- now at Silang, Cavite
MRS. ANTOINETTE MCKELVEY: completed a Micro-para and Histopath Lab with Mrs.
Hedrick; prepared syllabus for Manila Sanitarium Hospital
DR. REUBEN G. MANALAYSAY: president of PUC
REV. MERRITT C. WARREN: president of the North Philippine Union Mission of the
Seventh Day Adventists and director of the Bureau of Education
DR. MANUEL L. CARREON: Bureau of Private Schools, Bureau of Education

DR. JESSE UMALI: first BSMT graduate (March 1955)

- MedTech  Ob-Gyne
- “Omega Laboratory” at Vito Cruz, Manila
MR. AVELINO OLIVA & MRS. ADORACION YUTUC: summer 1955
DR. ANTONIO GABRIEL & DR. GUSTAVO REYES: offered MT as an elective; (SY 1957-
1958)
REV. FR. LORENZO RODRIGUEZ: offered MT as a course in UST (under Faculty of
Pharmacy)
JUNE 30, 1960: UST, 1st third year Medical Technology course was approved
JUNE 12, 1961: fourth year program (internship) was approved

1961: FEU started its School of MT

1962: first graduates of CEU
1963: first graduates of FEU
UPM, UST (1975), PWU (1987): post graduate studies
TRENDS AND CHALLENGES
1. Job Opportunities
 Laboratories- Water Analyst, Drug Analyst, Forensic Lab
 Clinical Areas- RMT working in a hospital/ Free standing laboratory
- Anatomic Pathology Department
 Business and Industrial Areas- Sales Agent, Product Specialist
 Academic Areas- Professor, Laboratory Instructor; Faculty, Dean
2. Challenges
a. FUTURE CHALLENGES: Nuclear Laboratories (continuous training, seminars and
workshops)
EXPERTISE- need trainings, seminars and workshops
b. CURRENT CHALLENGES- especially in high risk jobs; most graduates go abroad or
proceed to medicine; big vacancies job requiring RMTs
c. PAST CHALLENGES- lack of automation

3. LABORATORY WORKPLACE
a. DECENTRALIZATION OF LABORATORIES AND POCT- performance of laboratory
tests outside the laboratory premises (eg: Capillary blood glucose via
Glucometer)
- POCT- Point of Care Testing
b. CHANGE IN THE LABORATORY PARADIGM- (new vs old)
Pre-Analytical  Analytical  Post-Analytical
Request  Actual Procedure  Result

PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS: national organization of all

registered technologists in the Philippines

CIRCLE- symbolizes the continuous involvement where

practice and education must always be integrated
TRIANGLE- the trilogy of love, respect and integrity
MICROSCOPE & SNAKE- symbolize the science of Medical
Technology profession
GREEN- the color oh health
1964- the year of first PAMET election

Vision
PAMET shall be the constant prime mover in advancing the Medical Laboratory
Science profession for the continuous growth and development of its members.
Mission
To realize its vision, PAMET shall be an association that will uphold professional
core values; develop and sustain comprehensive programs to enhance
 competencies of the Medical Laboratory Science professionals; collaborate
with the different stakeholders of health and make its services important to the
beneficiaries of its services.

PAMET HYMN- BELOVED PAMET

From various lands, races and places
With grateful hearts we raise our voices
This day to our beloved PAMET
From whence unity and love cometh
We join together in brotherhood
To live up to thine ideals we should
In fields advancement and learning
Thy noble goals maybe our bearing
Loyal and true we’ll be to thee
Beloved PAMET this we say,
For service to God and humanity,
With joy we sing for thee ‘til eternit

Francis Jerota Pefanco: music of PAMET hymn- Beloved PAMET

Hector Gentapanan Gayares, Jr.: lyrics of PAMET hymn- Beloved PAMET

CORE VALUES OF PAMET

integrity, professionalism, commitment, excellence, unity:

Integrity
Integrity is the strict adherence to a moral code, reflected in transparent
honesty, truthfulness, accuracy, accountable of one’s actions and complete
harmony in what one thinks, says, and does
Professionalism
Professionalism refers to the positive traits and values, moral responsibility, social
responsiveness and behavioral outlook which makes one highly respectable
and credible
Commitment
Commitment is the unconditional, unwavering and selfless dedication that one
builds-in into the practice of the profession characterized by initiative, creativity
and resourcefulness to bring about quality health care and service to the public
 Excellence
Excellence is the high quality performance by advocating and adhering to
international standards making services globally comparable competence
Unity
Unity is the necessary linkage, support, involvement and sharing that will
increase the success and advancement of every individual member and the
association in general
IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES:

MR. CRISANTO G. ALMARIO: father of PAMET

MR. CHARLEMAGNE T. TAMONDONG: emergence of the profession
MR. NARDITO D. MORALETA: professional recognition
MR. FELIX E. ASPRER: legislative agenda
MR. BERNARDO T. TABAOSARES: celebration of the profession
MS. ANGELINA R. JOSE: career advocacy
MS. VENERABLE C.V. OCA: educational enhancement
MRS. CARMENCITA P. ACEDERA: image building
MRS. MARILYN R. ATIENZA: proactivism
MRS. NORMA N. CHANG: international leadership
MS. AGNES B. MEDENILLA: organizational dymanism
DR SHIRLEY I FABIAN-CRUZADA: interdisciplinary networking
DR. LEILA M FLORENTO: global perspective
MR. ROMEO JOSEPH J. IGNACIO: goldan era of the profession
DR. RONALDO E. PUNO: empowerment

PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC

HEALTH, INC. (PASMETH)- national organization of medical schools in the
Philippines

CIRCLE- represent the continuity of learning and the

never-ending quest for excellence in the field of
academe
DIAMOND- four objectives
MICROSCOPE- medtech as a profession

DR. GUSTAVO REYES- first president

DEAN BERNARD EBUEN- current PASMETH president (since
2012)
FOUR OBJECTIVES
 To encourage aj thorough study of the needs and problems of Medical
Technology and Public Health Education and to offer solutions to them.
 To work for the continuous development of Medical Technology and Public
Health Education in order that the profession will be of maximum service to
the country
 To take a united stand in matters which affects the interests of Medical
Technology and Public Health Education,and
 To seek the advice, aid and assistance from any government or private
entity for the fulfillment of the aims and purposes of the Association

PHISMETS: Philippine Society of Medical Technology Students