Medical technologists play a vital role
in enhancing patient treatment outcomes..
“The laboratory operates with a distinct process, unlike other departments. Our work involves handling microbes and chemicals, some of which can pose risks to patients and staff.”
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline doctors and nurses dedicated themselves to the care and treatment of patients. However, it is crucial to recognize the equally vital role of medical technologists within healthcare organizations. They serve as essential “lab detectives,” responsible for determining and reporting critical medical data that aids doctors in planning effective patient treatments.
In this edition of MedPark Stories, we invite you to immerse yourself in the environment of our clinical laboratory, often referred to simply as “the lab.” This facility adheres to rigorous laboratory standards overseen by Dr Golf, also known as Dr Visitsak Suksa-ardphasu, a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience in the clinical laboratory field.
Medical technologists often referred to as 'blood diagnosticians.
The medical technologist profession may not have been widely recognized in the past, overshadowed by more familiar healthcare roles like doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses. Moreover, full-fledged medical diagnostic laboratories were relatively uncommon, primarily offering basic blood tests and complete blood counts (CBC). Current-day laboratories, however, are equipped to perform a much broader spectrum of tests, incorporating advanced technologies.
Dr Visitsak, who pursued a career in this field, shares his journey: “When I was young, my passion for science, biology, cells, and the intricacies of living organisms led me to consider a career as a medical technologist. I believed job opportunities in this field would be abundant since relatively few people pursued it. At that time, only 3-4 universities offered medical technology programs.”
Dr Visitsak chose to enroll in the Faculty of Medical Technology at Khon Kaen University, where he had the option to specialize in various fields, including clinical chemistry (focusing on blood, blood sugar, and blood lipid tests), clinical microbiology (dealing with microbe detection from specimens), clinical immunology, transfusion medicine, and more.
His primary interest lay in hematology, the study of blood. In this field, he learned to identify the characteristics of blood cells using microscopes to detect abnormalities. Dr Visitsak explains: “When blood cells show abnormalities, we create blood smears to closely examine these cells, aiding in identifying blood cell alterations in patients.”
After graduating in 1993, Dr Visitsak started his career as a medical technologist, working in public and private hospitals. Initially, he was responsible for specimen inspection for approximately five years before earning a promotion to head of the department, overseeing all departmental functions.
Medical technologist experience and qualifications that AI cannot replace
Undoubtedly, medical instrument technology is advancing rapidly, leading to faster and more time-efficient work for medical technologists. However, Dr Golf emphasizes the importance of personal skills in this profession.
“Technology has undeniably been tremendously helpful, but it cannot completely replace us," he notes. "For instance, while we have AI assistance for tasks like creating blood smears, there are still limitations. AI may not match the accuracy of human vision. Experienced medical technologists can discern if white blood cells show signs of leukemia or identify the type of colony-forming organism in a culture.”
Quality control is critical to their works, as each step is susceptible to errors. Regardless of the equipment used, medical technologists must always be as accurate as possible, ascertaining its quality before reporting out the lab results.
Dr Golf underscores the significance of precise patient identification: “Since we do not directly meet with patients, the sample sent us serves as their representative. We rely solely on the attached barcode. Therefore, patient identification must be correct. Patient safety is another focal point, particularly in drawing blood without complications such as swelling, bruising, or pain.”
Time sensitivity is another crucial aspect of their work. Certain specimens analysis must occur within a specific timeframe for accurate results. Dr. Golf also stresses the importance of proper procedural processing.
“The blood sample must mirror the composition of blood within the body. Prolonged application of a tourniquet can alter blood parameters. Incorrect blood sampling techniques can result in inaccurate blood component proportions. In the case of urine collection, patients need to discard the initial part of the urine stream before collecting the sample. Ensuring that examination results match the correct patient is essential to prevent erroneous treatment.”
Laboratory designed with standards and safety in mind
The layout of various laboratory subsystems, which must adhere to professional standards and regulations, impact the efficient workflow within the laboratory. Dr Golf was actively engaged in the design process from the early stages of the hospital construction.
“The laboratory is a unique environment dealing with chemicals and infectious agents. For instance, because of bacterial culture requirements, we designed the flooring with minimal floor gaps, allowing easy cleaning in case of blood spills; allocate ceiling heights to accommodate future equipment; and comprehensive layout design for security systems, fire escapes, and the transportation of infectious waste.”
Different sections of the lab have specific needs, as Dr Golf explains: “In the Surgical Pathology department, which utilizes a variety of chemicals, it's essential to prevent odors, designate areas for donning gloves and personal protective equipment (PPE) before entry, and separate visitor pathways from the lab benches.”
Dr Visitsak was responsible for designing the blood collection room, emphasizing patient privacy. He also oversaw the installation of a pneumatic tube system for specimen transportation to the lab. Equipment selection was meticulous, favoring internationally recognized brands to ensure that MedPark Hospital laboratory could support various arrays of clinical laboratory examinations, including molecular biology, microbiology, surgical pathology, and blood banking.
“Our laboratory information system operates entirely online, with a key feature utilizing barcodes to identify patient information, greatly reducing the risk of human errors. A team of 30 highly skilled and experienced medical technologists works around the clock to support various departments within MedPark Hospital and affiliated facilities that utilize the services of the Surgical Pathology Department.”
Safety for patients and staff
When questioned about the risk of laboratory workers becoming infected from the specimens sent for examination, Dr Visitsak emphasized that the likelihood is low due to the implementation of universal protection measures.
“We handle every specimen the same, without distinguishing between infected and those that are not, by implementing safeguards from the outset adhering to a standard known as the Laboratory Safety Program. For instance, fabric shoes can let blood to seep through. Instead, leather shoes that are easy to clean are mandatory.”
MedPark Hospital presently holds certifications for both ISO 15189 and ISO 15190 standards. ISO 15189 is an international standard for the quality and capability of clinical laboratories, while ISO 15190 focuses on laboratory safety to ensure the well-being of technologists and the environment.
Dr Visitsak elaborated on the unique work processes within the lab: “Our work involves handling germs and chemicals that can pose risks to patients and technologists alike. Consequently, we follow distinct clinical laboratory standards, separate from hospital standards like HA (Hospital Accreditation) and JCI (Joint Commission International). Examples of these standards include ISO and Laboratory Accreditation, which are subject to evaluation by external surveyors.”
Knowledge bank of Medical Technology Students
MedPark Hospital clinical laboratory supports the education and training of medical technology students from various universities. These students are required to complete internships as part of their pre-graduation requirements. Additionally, the laboratory has earned certification as an institution capable of providing Continuing Medical Technology Education, allowing medical technologists to earn credits for their license renewal.
Dr Visitsak emphasizes the laboratory mission alignment with the hospital, prioritizing the development of medical services, educational training, and research to foster knowledge and innovation among personnel. These will in turn, contributes to more effective patient care.
Furthermore, Dr Visitsak received many invitations to deliver academic lectures at numerous universities, addressing undergraduate and graduate students. These lectures primarily focus on laboratory standards and administration, allowing him to share his expertise in these foundational areas of healthcare.
Rewarding achievements
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, Dr Visitsak and his team played a significant role in enhancing the hospital image and reputation. What exceeded expectations was the increased awareness and understanding of the profession and the contribution of medical technologists among the public.
“Given that COVID-19 diagnoses rely on lab results, it is crucial to maintain high standards in specimen collection and transport. We established these standards for all departments, including doctors, nurses, and even marketing teams, whether dealing with walk-in patients, drive-thru testing, or off-site swabbing.”
Dr Visitsak and his team went above and beyond in-house lab service, providing off-site services to various entities, including film studios, working tirelessly around the clock. This effort not only improved the hospital visibility, but also made medical technologists proud to have contributed to more successful patient treatments.
In addition to his role in the laboratory, Dr Visitsak also serves as the president of the Ecotourism Club, one of the clubs organized by MedPark Hospital to foster unity and camaraderie among staff. This role aligns perfectly with his passion for travel. The club arranges one-day trips focused on relaxation, and in the future, they hope to share the enjoyable experiences from these trips with others.
Dr Visitsak Suksa-ardphasu
Medical technologists, laboratory manager
MedPark Hospital