Principles of Medical Laboratory Science Practice I – History, Development & Professional Scope

Vocabulary flashcards highlighting historical milestones, key figures, core laboratory areas, professional definitions, legal acts, and educational components within Medical Laboratory Science.

Ebers Papyrus

Ancient Egyptian medical document (c. 1550 BC) that recorded intestinal parasites such as Taenia and Ascaris and described stages of hookworm infection.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Dutch scientist who improved the microscope, first described red blood cells and protozoa, and classified bacteria by shape.

Marcello Malpighi

Italian physician–biologist hailed as the Father of Pathology and microscopic anatomy, advancing physiology and embryology.

Rudolf Carl Virchow

German pathologist known as the Father of Modern Pathology; founded Berlin’s ‘Archives of Pathology’ in 1847 and advanced cellular pathology.

Aniline dyes

Synthetic dyes introduced in the 19th century that enabled improved microscopic staining of tissues and microorganisms.

University of Michigan Chemical Laboratory (1854)

First U.S. chemical laboratory related to medicine, established by Dr. Douglas for clinical analysis.

William Welch

Pathologist who opened the first pathology course at Bellevue Hospital Medical College and later became Johns Hopkins’ first professor of pathology, founding its clinical laboratory.

Simon Flexner

Resident pathologist (1894) who headed the new Pathology Department at Johns Hopkins University.

‘A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis’

Influential 1908 laboratory manual by James Todd and Sanford; later retitled ‘Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods.’

Pennsylvania Laboratory Law of 1915

Legislation requiring all hospitals to maintain a laboratory staffed by a full-time medical technologist to operate.

University of Minnesota MT Program (1922)

First U.S. university to offer formal education and training for medical technicians/technologists.

Dr. Alfredo Pio de Roda

Filipino physician who preserved and developed the first Public Health Laboratory in Manila after WWII, initiating MT training programs.

Dr. Prudencia Sta. Ana

Collaborated with Dr. de Roda to train medical technicians and develop a formal six-month MT curriculum in 1954.

Mrs. Willa Hilgert-Hedrick

Founded the first Philippine 4-year BS Medical Technology program at Philippine Union College–Manila Adventist Medical Center (1954).

Clinical Laboratory Science

Healthcare profession that provides diagnostic information by performing analytical tests on human specimens to detect, prevent, or monitor disease.

Clinical Laboratory (CLIA ’88)

Any facility that performs tests on human-derived specimens for diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or health assessment.

Clinical Chemistry

Laboratory section performing quantitative analyses of serum/plasma (e.g., glucose, cholesterol) and other body fluids.

Urinalysis / Clinical Microscopy

Laboratory area analyzing physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics of urine to diagnose metabolic and renal disorders.

Hematology

Lab specialty studying formed blood elements for diagnosing conditions such as anemia and leukemia; includes bone-marrow exams.

Hemostasis & Coagulation

Section assessing bleeding and clotting disorders, often integrated within Hematology.

Blood Bank (Immunohematology)

Laboratory unit responsible for blood typing, compatibility testing, and preparing blood components for safe transfusion.

Immunology & Serology

Area examining immune system components and employing assays (e.g., ELISA, PCR) to detect infections, autoimmune diseases, and genetic disorders.

Microbiology

Lab division that identifies pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites and performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Histotechnology / Histopathology

Laboratory process of preparing and staining tissue sections for microscopic examination to detect disease.

Cytotechnology

Microscopic examination of cells in smears/fluids to distinguish malignant from normal cells.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) / Medical Technologist (MT)

Professional trained to develop, perform, and evaluate laboratory tests for patient care and clinical research.

RA 5527 – Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969

Law defining the practice, scope, and licensure of medical technologists in the Philippines.

NAACLS Physical Requirements

Essential abilities for CLS students: good (corrected) eyesight, normal color vision, physical stamina for prolonged standing/sitting, and manual dexterity.

NAACLS Intellectual Requirements

Mental competencies for CLS practice: interest in science/mathematics, attention to detail, independent decision-making, computer literacy, organization, responsibility, and stress management.

Medical Laboratory Science Curriculum

Four-year undergraduate program comprising pre-clinical coursework (biology, chemistry, A&P, etc.) and a clinical division with practical laboratory rotations.

Qualifying Examination (Clinical Division)

Entrance assessment (≥60 % at AUP) factoring exam score, GPA, and remaining units for admission into clinical training.

Pre-clinical Division

First two years of MLS program covering foundational sciences and introductory MT courses before clinical rotations.

Clinical Division

Final program phase involving 12–18 months of supervised hospital laboratory training across all specialty areas.

Hookworm Infection Stages

Lifecycle phases—entry through skin, migration via bloodstream, maturation in intestines—first documented in early medical texts.

Alexandra Giliani

Assistant to Italian physician at University of Bologna (14th century), performing tasks resembling modern medical technologist duties.

Hindu ‘Ants & Urine’ Observation

Ancient recognition that sugar-rich diabetic urine attracts ants, an early diagnostic insight.

CLSI / NCCLS

Organizations that set internationally recognized standards and guidelines for clinical laboratory testing and quality control.