Medical laboratory personnel key in healthcare provision

Kilivwa Mukaya, a Senior Principal Medical Laboratory Technologist at the KNH Renal Unit. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Medical laboratory is a health profession whose goal is to resolve patients' health problem(s) presented to the physician by performing laboratory analysis.

Medical laboratory is a facility equipped with various biomedical instruments and chemicals for performing different laboratory diagnostic activities by using biological specimens (Whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, stool, sputum). It is also called clinical laboratory science.

Errors occur when diagnosis of diseases depend on clinical symptoms alone. The laboratory personnel has a duty to analyse specimen conclusively in order to guide physicians appropriately. Treating of diseases depends on proper choices of drugs.

Antibiotic sensitivity testing is critical in identifying selective antimicrobial remedies. Additionally, it safeguards against empirical prescription, which has been associated with multi-drug resistance. Monitoring of patients response to treatment is a role played by laboratory experts through periodical testing. A classical example is when a patient is on dialysis treatment, constant monitoring of kidney function tests is advised.

Screening of diseases helps in detection of infections without clear symptoms. Regular Pap smear examination, for example, help early detection of cervical cancer prompting timely treatment. In the same vein, regular blood sugar testing helps to detect diabetes condition. This allows the victim to commence treatment in good time.

The patient is counseled and educated on how to adjust on life style activities and diet. An epidemic is a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time. Control of epidemics through early detection of pathogens helps to avert such situations that have enormous medical challenges and economic implication.

We laboratory personnel undertake surveillance and provision of health information through water supply testing, carrier identification and risk factor assessment. They also participate in controlling field trials through new drug/vaccine testing and Vaccine potency testing. Management of finance, equipment and supplies is a salient component of our profession. Laboratory managers have to ensure constant supply of reagents and other laboratory consumables. This involves keeping proper stocks inventory.

Additionally, we have to ensure reliable and quality laboratory practices are upheld. Such a commitment to quality is essential to achieve best possible service to patients, user confidence, effectiveness and efficiency, accountability and optimal use of resources.

It goes without saying that the physicians and other health professionals depend upon the skill and ability with which we perform our duties. We hold life and death in our hands; because the information given to the physician influences the medical treatment a patient receives. As such, we are guided by laboratory rules, ethics and policies.

Morally, we are obligated to follow safety procedures and know how to apply first aid. Responsibility requires that we use laboratory equipment well, avoid wastage of supplies, and safeguard the dignity and privacy of patients.

- The writer works at Kenyatta National Hospital