INTRODUCTION: Unregulated biomedical waste management is an emerging public health problem in the Philippines. This study aimed to differentiate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses and medical technologists toward biomedical waste management. METHODS: Using an analytic cross-sectional study design, an online survey of nurses and medical technologists from hospitals around the Philippines was conducted. A 27-item questionnaire covering knowledge, attitudes and practices was used. The percentages of correct answers and mean scores in each domain was compared between the nurses and medical technologists. RESULTS: A total of 196 respondents consisting of 77 registered nurses and 119 medical technologists were included in the study. Medical technologists had significantly better knowledge scores than nurses on disposal procedures for expired blood units and by-products waste (55% vs. 19%, p = 0.026). Both had low correct responses on adequate disposal of human tissue remains, throwing blood waste into domestic waste, and throwing of expired medications in domestic waste. There was no significant difference in the attitude of nurses and medical technologists. Nurses had significantly better practice scores on disposal of liquid waste in bags (84.4% vs. 68.9, p = 0.018), but medical technologists fared better at disposal of human tissue together with other waste (13.0% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION Both nurses and medical technologists had adequate knowledge of some aspects but were lacking in others. There was no significant difference in the attitude of nurses and medical technologists towards biomedical waste management. Half of the respondents practiced proper biomedical waste management.
Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Waste Management ; Knowledge ; Attitude

Background: The coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19, is a highly contagious disease caused by a new strain of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Medical technologists, along with doctors and nurses, are also heroes in the fight against the virus as they risk their own health in order to collect and analyze specimens for the diagnosis of the disease. However, they face numerous challenges along the way. Objectives: This study aimed to better understand the difficulties of medical technologists assigned to collect COVID-19 specimen in tertiary hospitals or laboratories in Metro Manila, Philippines. Methodology: Utilizing the qualitative case study design, the researchers interviewed 14 medical technologists and examined the data according to Colaizzi's method which consisted of grouping and categorizing relevant remarks before formulating themes. Findings: The researchers were able to formulate the following themes: (1) patient-related challenges, namely, attitude, age, health status, and communication; (2) physical challenges, namely, fatigue, work hours, number of patients, and the use of personal protective equipment; (3) environmental challenges, namely, collection setting, temperature, and exposure to the virus; (4) resource challenges, namely, supplies and human resources; and (5) psychological challenges, namely, fear, anxiety, and emotional fatigue. Conclusion The study was able to analyze the obstacles faced by COVID-19 specimen collectors in order to give a means of hearing from and comprehending their viewpoints. This shows the importance of performing regular reviews of healthcare workers to ensure their safety. Medical technologists and their supervisors should be able to communicate effectively in order to improve current standards and procedures.
Medical Laboratory Personnel ; COVID-19 ; Specimen Handling ; Case Reports

BACKGROUND: The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has been providing a nationwide, one-day training program for workers of hospital blood centers once a year since 2013. We evaluated the achievement levels of the program through surveys. METHODS: The survey was conducted immediately after the program in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Respondents' occupations, institutions, program contents, and operational aspects were asked. RESULTS: The response rate was 56.2%∼73.2%. The occupations of respondents were medical technologists 66.9%∼75.7%, nurses 16.1%∼22.1%, and others (administrators, et al.) 1.5%∼11.3%. About 86.1%∼88.2% of respondents answered that the program as a whole was satisfactory or very satisfactory; 88.9%∼94.7% thought that it is necessary or very necessary; 77.9%∼84.1% answered that the appropriate length of the program was one day; 53.8%∼69.1% answered that the appropriate number of program is once per year; and 23.4%∼53.8% or 40.3%∼61.4% answered that the appropriate season for the program by the KCDC should be the first or the second quarter, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the training program plays a useful role in meeting the needs of workers for hospital blood centers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)* ; Education* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Occupations ; Seasons ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The main purpose of newborn screening is to diagnose genetic, metabolic, and other inherited disorders, at their earliest to start treatment before the clinical manifestations become evident. Understanding and tracing the biochemical data obtained from tandem mass spectrometry is vital for early diagnosis of metabolic diseases associated with such disorders. Accordingly, it is important to focus on the entire diagnostic process, including differential and confirmatory diagnostic options, and the major factors that influence the results of biochemical analysis. Compared to regular biochemical testing, this is a complex process carried out by a medical physician specialist. It is comprised of an integrated program requiring multidisciplinary approach such as, pediatric specialist, expert scientist, clinical laboratory technician, and nutritionist. Tandem mass spectrometry is a powerful tool to improve screening of newborns for diverse metabolic diseases. It is likely to be used to analyze other treatable disorders or significantly improve existing newborn tests to allow broad scale and precise testing. This new era of various screening programs, new treatments, and the availability of detection technology will prove to be beneficial for the future generations.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Mass Screening* ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Metabolic Diseases ; Metabolomics* ; Nutritionists ; Social Responsibility ; Specialization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry*

OBJECTIVE: This paper evaluated the personnel of three public and three private hospitals in the Metro Manila area in terms of their knowledge of the (1) Hospital Waste Committee at their hospital and (2) the general guidelines of segregation and handling of hospital wastes.

METHODS: Convenience sampling was used. Nurses, medical technologists, and janitorial staff present at three private and three public tertiary hospitals in south Manila during respective data collection visits were given a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS: The majority of those included in the study had correct knowledge regarding the Waste Management Committee of their particular hospital but did not have enough knowledge regarding general waste management, particularly sharps waste management. The medical technologists and nurses in both private and public hospitals had about the same knowledge and awareness regarding hospital policies and sharps waste management; however, there were differences between the knowledge and awareness of private and government hospital janitorial staff. Two of the perceived problems in waste management of the hospitals were (1) the general lack of knowledge regarding waste management, specifically sharps waste and (2)the lack of hospital support in terms of provision of proper waste disposals.

CONCLUSION: Workers involved in sharps waste management-in tertiary hospitals had enough knowledge regarding the Waste Management Committee, but the respondents did not have enough knowledge regarding waste management in general and sharps waste management in particular. Problems perceived by respondents are: lack of knowledge regarding waste management and lack of hospital support.

Human ; Male ; Female ; .tertiary Care Centers ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Waste Management ; Hospitals, Private ; Refuse Disposal ; Hospitals, Public ; Surveys And Questionnaires ; Government

A microscopic examination of an appropriately prepared and well-stained blood smear by a knowledgeable laboratory professional is necessary and clinically useful in a number of circumstances and for a variety of reasons. In this article, an attempt is made to delineate the purpose and criteria for blood smear examination in a variety of circumstances that are encountered in everyday laboratory hematology practice. A blood smear scan serves to at least (a) verify the flagged automated hematology results and (b) determine if a manual differential leukocyte count needs to be performed. Blood smear examination/manual differential leukocyte count with complete blood count (CBC) provides the complete hematologic picture of the case, at least from the morphologic standpoint. Blood smear review with or without interpretation serves to ensure that no clinically significant finding is missed, besides providing diagnosis or diagnostic clue(s), particularly if and when interpreted by a physician.
Blood Cell Count ; Hematologic Tests/*methods ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes/cytology ; Medical Laboratory Personnel/standards

BACKGROUND: The Global harmonization task force (GHTF) recommends a separate regulation system for in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDD), because false test results can pose a risk to individual and/or public health. However, in Korea, many reagents for IVDD are not monitored, although IVD analyzers and some reagents are monitored under the Medical Device Act and Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, respectively. Our aim was to propose a draft for a Korean coding and classification system for IVDD. METHODS: For preparing the draft, we reviewed the Korean Current Procedural Terminology for Health Insurance and principles of the coding and classification system for IVDD of the GHTF, the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, and the EU. The draft was reviewed by consultants from relevant societies, such as Korean Medical Association, Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine, The Korea Association of Medical Technologists, and Korea Association for Diagnostic Laboratory Reagents, and was then publicly discussed at a conference. RESULTS: IVDD were classified into 4 classes on the basis of the risks they pose to individual (IR) and public health (PR): class 1 (low IR and low PR), class 2 (moderate IR and low PR), class 3 (high IR and/or moderate PR), and class 4 (high IR and high PR). IVD analyzers, reagents and other general laboratory equipments were categorized and coded using the letter D and 7 (2+3+2) digits. CONCLUSIONS: This draft for the Korean IVDD classification and coding system could be used for effective management and regulation of IVDD in Korea.
Advisory Committees ; Australia ; Canada ; Clinical Coding ; Consultants ; Current Procedural Terminology ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Insurance, Health ; Japan ; Korea ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Public Health ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

BACKGROUND: The Global harmonization task force (GHTF) recommends a separate regulation system for in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDD), because false test results can pose a risk to individual and/or public health. However, in Korea, many reagents for IVDD are not monitored, although IVD analyzers and some reagents are monitored under the Medical Device Act and Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, respectively. Our aim was to propose a draft for a Korean coding and classification system for IVDD. METHODS: For preparing the draft, we reviewed the Korean Current Procedural Terminology for Health Insurance and principles of the coding and classification system for IVDD of the GHTF, the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, and the EU. The draft was reviewed by consultants from relevant societies, such as Korean Medical Association, Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine, The Korea Association of Medical Technologists, and Korea Association for Diagnostic Laboratory Reagents, and was then publicly discussed at a conference. RESULTS: IVDD were classified into 4 classes on the basis of the risks they pose to individual (IR) and public health (PR): class 1 (low IR and low PR), class 2 (moderate IR and low PR), class 3 (high IR and/or moderate PR), and class 4 (high IR and high PR). IVD analyzers, reagents and other general laboratory equipments were categorized and coded using the letter D and 7 (2+3+2) digits. CONCLUSIONS: This draft for the Korean IVDD classification and coding system could be used for effective management and regulation of IVDD in Korea.
Advisory Committees ; Australia ; Canada ; Clinical Coding ; Consultants ; Current Procedural Terminology ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Insurance, Health ; Japan ; Korea ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Public Health ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

Awards and Prizes ; China ; Communicable Diseases, Emerging ; epidemiology ; immunology ; microbiology ; Cooperative Behavior ; International Cooperation ; Japan ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; organization & administration

Adult ; Brucellosis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Laboratories ; standards ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Occupational Exposure