CLINICAL CHEM Lesson 1: Scope of Clinical Chemistry

Lecture by Ms. Reyna May G. Cabilla, RMT

August 9, 2023

● Used in emergency dept., opertating suites, clinics, health

WHAT IS CLINICAL CHEMISTRY?
maintenance organizations (HMO), physicians, offices &
● systematic study of the biochemical process associated with nursing homes
health and disease & the measurement of constituents in ● Instrumentation includes portable chemistry analyzers,
body fluids or tissues to facilitate diagnosis of disease. glucometers, BG Analyzers, hemoglobin meters &
coagulation testing
TWO (2) PATHOLOGIES
SUBSTANCES MEASURED IN SERUM FALL GENERALLY
Clinical (main) general; concerned with the diagnosis of INTO THE FF CATEGORIES:
Pathology disease based on the laboratory analysis of
bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, and tissue
Substances NORMALLY present with a
homogenates or extracts using the tools of
chemistry, microbiology, hematology, molecular
function in the circulation:
pathology, and Immunohaematology
● Glucose ● TAG, cholesterol
● Total protein & albumin ● Hormones
Anatomical only reads tissue reasults, Pap smears, etc. - the
● Electrolytes ● Vitamins
Pathology study of organs and tissues to determine the
causes and effects of particular diseases.
Metabolites-nonfunctioning WASTE PRODUCTS in
PURPOSE & FUNCTION the process of being cleared:

● Confirming or rejecting a diagnosis ● Urea ● Bilirubin (sensitive to light)

● Providing guidelines in patient management ● Ammonia ● Uric Acid
● Establishing a prognosis ● Creatinine
● Detecting disease through case finding or screening
● Monitoring follow-up therapy
Substances released from cells as a result of cell damage &
abnormal permeability or abnormal cellular proliferation
SCOPE OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
● Enzymes:
○ LD (Lactated Dehydrogenase or LDH)
○ ALT (Alanine Transaminase)
○ AST (Aspartate Transferase
○ CK (Creatine Kinase)
○ AMS (Amylase Test)
○ GGT (Gamma-glutamyl Transferase)
○ ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)
○ ACP (Acid Phosphatase
● Ferritin

- bio: life LABORATORY TESTING

- pharma: drugs/tambal
- toxi: abuse of drugs/tambal ● Disease is a pathological condition of the body that is
- immuno: function & components of immune system manifested by a group of clinical signs & symptoms
- analytical chem: structure of any matter ● Physicians use laboratory test results to diagnose & treat
- endocrinology: hormones diseases & to maintain the health of patients

POINT OF CARE TESTING (POCT)

Diagnose to evaluating history of disease process; to
● a.k.a near-patient testing, alternate-site testing or use clinical signs & symptoms, laboratory
patient-focused testing findings & special tests results to arrive at the
● Addresses acute patient needs
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 nature & cause of a person’s disease
condition

Prognosis prediction of the course of disease

Referral laboratory that performs testing for other

Laboratory clinical laboratories & institutions

Phlebotomist person who collects blood by venipucture

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST

● a.k.a clinical laboratory scientist

● Usually has baccalaureate degree & formal training in an
accredited medical technology /medical laboratory
science program that meets the criteria by national
standard
● Passed the PRC licensure examination

Appropriate international certification:

MT-ASCP MT-American Society of Clinical Pathologists

CLS-NCA Clinical Laboratory Scientist National

Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory
Personnel

AMT American Medical Technologists

RMT-ISCLT Registered Medical Technologist International

Society for C,inical Laboratory Technology

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

● a.k.a clinal laboratory technician

● Person who not being a graduate of BSMT/BS in Hygiene,
but having passed the corresponding civil service
examination, perfoms the work of medical technology
under the supervision of a registered medical technologist
and/or qualified pathologist.

MEDICAL ASSISTANT

● Multi-skilled allied health professional, dedicated to

assisting in all aspects of a medical practice under the
supervision of a physician.
● Medical Assistants help with patient care management,
execute administrative and clinical procedures and often
perform managerial and supervisory functions.

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