Inpatient specimen sampling by medical technologist

Abstract

The Order for Enforcement of the Act on Medical Technologists, and other relevant laws and regulations were revised, and the revision of clinical specimen sampling has been in effect since April 1, 2015. Since the introduction of the influenza antigen rapid test kit in 2001, we have evaluated the parameters and conditions that may affect the results of clinical examinations such as fever duration at the time of sampling, vaccinations, and sample type (e.g., throat swab, nasal swab, or nasal aspirate). We communicated with our staff members closely to share our findings on how to obtain and store clinical specimens correctly, and how to protect against infections to ensure correct and appropriate clinical examinations in a proactive manner. Our members have also been trained to understand how the patients feel during specimen sampling and to treat them appropriately to ensure that the procedure causes as little burden as possible. As medical technologists grasp the condition of the patients during specimen sampling and the importance of sharing the test results with the attending physician, the results of urgent tests can be provided rapidly, which contributes to reducing the burden on physicians and nurses. Working as a single team in our clinical laboratory, we can obtain and test high-quality clinical specimens and report the test results promptly to help physicians provide high-quality care. Our initiative also helps other healthcare professionals change their mindset on how to respond to patients’ needs.