Abstract
Although it is widely acknowledged that multidisciplinary interventions are of great importance for limb salvage, the unfortunate reality is that little recognition is given to the role that medical technologists can play in such interventions. Even at my hospital, nursing staff used to play a key role in patient assessments and care, with the result that medical technologists were only passively involved in the process; i.e., they performed evaluations of the ankle-brachial index as directed by doctors and then submitted the results. However, one cannot overstate the importance of conducting various tests on the lower limbs and the vital role that such tests play in determining the optimal treatment plan for each patient. The role of medical technologists who are certified in limb salvage is to first draw on their expertise to promptly submit test results that are both precise and accurate and then proactively offer advice based on these results, which can facilitate patient diagnosis and improve the care provided by doctors and nurses. Thereby, medical technologists can act as so-called “gatekeepers” and are capable of detecting serious conditions within appropriate timeframes.
