Impact of Technology to Medical technology

Way back in 1930, medical technologists only use microscope  to examine specimens. They only depend on what they could count and see on slides, but the tests back then were not that accurate. There were many cases before where medical technologists were inaccurate in their tests; example of these is when they are testing the blood type, there are possibilities that they may have erroneous results if underlying immunologic diseases are not detected prior to blood transfusion which may lead to blood incompatibility causing internal bleeding or even death.

As the year of modern technology arises new medical equipment are also produced. Medical technologists also benefit in the new clinical machines and devices developed which make testing of human secretions fast, accurate and reliable.  Example of this are:

Auto Hematology Analyzer (MC-6500)

In laboratories, blood typing is usually done manually where in ABO/Rh reagents are used. With the aid of Hematology analyzer, a machine that performs multiple tests such as complete blood counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, faster and accurate results are made.

Accu Vein

Before, medical technologists only use palpation for searching of vein in doing phlebotomy, due to technological advancement,  a new device called Vein Locator (Accu Vein) was invented. This helps phlebotomists to easily choose the right vein for venipuncture and also for locating vein in obese patients and thin-veined patients. Fortunately this device is being used in some hospitals here in the Philippines such as St. Lukes Medical Center and Makati Medical Center.

Accu Check

Patients used to go to clinical laboratories to have their blood glucose level examined, but now with the aid of portable blood-glucose testing device (Accu-Check) they can easily monitor their glucose level at home.

Since new technologies are being released every day we can see that the advancement of our machines are fast. We know that communications technology is helping healthcare providers improve patient care, and at its potential for the future. But I know as the year goes by machines improved and there will be a time that we can test our self easily without the help of medical technologist.