Journal of the Medical Technologist Association of Thailand

The Significance of Film Array Blood Culture Identification Panel (FA-BCID) for Managing Patients with Positive Blood Cultures

Aphiwit Lanut — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Evidence-Based Internal Quality Control: A Conceptual Analogy with Traffic System

Krittin Choomsawat — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Prevalence of High-risk Human Papillomavirus Infection and Relationship with Cytological Results, among Women in Kalasin Province

Suwit Wongchiangkhwang — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigated the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection and evaluated the relationship between the HPV non 16, 18 infections, and cytological results among 45,019 women who participated in the cervical cancer screening program in Kalasin province during 2020-2023 using HPV DNA test covering all 14 genotypes. For those infected with HPV non-16, 18, liquid-based cytology (LBC) was used for further investigation. The results showed that HPV prevalence in this study was 5.27%. The top three prevalent HPV types were HPV 16 (1.04%), HPV 52 (0.90%), and HPV 58 (0.63%), respectively. Most participants (83.46%) had single infections and the others (16.54%) had multiple infections. The age group of 30-34 years had the highest infection prevalence at 11.36% and the prevalence decreased when age increased. From cellular cytology’s results in HPV non 16, 18 infections, cell abnormalities were found higher in multiple infections (33.14%) than those in single infection (26.20%). The genotypes with the highest abnormal cells were HPV 33 (35.56%), HPV 51 (34.52%), and HPV 56 (33.96%), respectively. The age group with the highest abnormal cells was 45-49 years (32.34%). HPV prevalence study and its relationship with cytological results in each region is crucial as it can be used for cervical cancer screening and early treatment plan. Moreover, this data can be used for appropriate vaccine usage and development in specific areas.

Development of a web application for use in the quality control process of POC hematocrit testing at Phukhieo Chalermprakiat hospital, Chaiyaphum province

Somporn Thabua — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Hematocrit testing is a laboratory test to assess anemia or polycythemia. It is a test that is simple, convenient, and rapid. Therefore, it is used as a point-of-care test for patients which requires speed, accuracy and competing against time, especially patients who are in critical stages. Point-of-care hematocrit testing without a good quality control management system can affect patient care safety. To create convenient and efficient operation, the researcher therefore developed a web application for use in the quality control process. The objectives are to: 1) develop a web application for use in the quality control process of point-of-care hematocrit testing and 2) develop a quality management system for point-of-care hematocrit testing. The study method was to develop and evaluate the performance of a web application used to control the quality of hematocrit testing which is divided into 3 phases: 1) the phase before using web application; 2) the phase of using web application; and 3) the phase of web application development. The study used quality and test efficiency data as well as satisfaction questionnaires, executive interviews, nurse interviews, medical technologist and laboratory staff interviews. The results at the web application development phase showed that the satisfaction levels regarding the quality control of hematocrit measurement and the use of the web application have increased. Coefficient of variation (%CV) was within the specified criteria (%CV Limit < 4%) and the period for returning results tends to improve. Executives agreed that using web applications can save time, reduce workload, and benefit the organization. In conclusion, the developed web application will be used as in-house information technology in the quality control management system for point-of-care hematocrit testing at Phukhieo Chalermprakiat Hospital, Chaiyaphum Province which is able to effective respond to user needs and save costs.

Dose-Response Curves for Gamma-Ray-Induced Dicentric Chromosomal Aberrations for Radiological Emergency Preparedness in Thailand

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Accurate assessment of ionizing radiation exposure is essential in the realm of biological dosimetry, particularly in regions where unique environmental and demographic factors may influence radiation responses. This study presents the development of dose-response curves for gamma-ray-induced dicentric chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes, intending to enhance radiological emergency preparedness in Thailand. Blood samples from a 39-year-old male and a 32-year-old female were irradiated with Co-60 gamma rays at a dose rate of 0.574 Gy/min across a dose range of 0–5 Gy. The lymphocytes were cultured and analyzed for dicentric chromosomal aberrations following standard procedures recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The dose-response curves were generated using a linear-quadratic model with Biodose Tools v3.6.1 software. Accuracy assessment of the generated curves, for both individual and pooled datasets, showed that the estimated radiation doses closely aligned with the actual delivered doses. Statistical analysis using paired t-test and ANOVA revealed no significant difference between the estimated doses from the individual and pooled curves. These findings strengthen Thailand’s capability to assess radiation exposure in emergency situations and support global efforts in biological dosimetry by establishing a reliable, locally generated reference curve.

Assessment of Phlebotomy Carts Designed for Bedridden Patients at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital

Supit Phokhao — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Facilitating phlebotomy services to ensure that patients receive thorough care and maximum safety is a crucial aspect of medical laboratory management. This research aims to assess the appropriateness of phlebotomy carts designed for bedridden patients. The tools used in the study included the phlebotomy carts designed for bedridden patients and a questionnaire. The target groups were selected purposefully, consisting of 17 staffs of Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, 9 patients, and 21 patients’ relatives (in cases where patients could not provide information). Personal data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, presented in the form of frequency distribution, minimum value, maximum value, mean, and standard deviation. For continuous data with non-normal distribution, analyses were performed using the median and interquartile range (IQR), with the criteria being a median >3.50 and an IQR ≤ 2.00. The study results on the appropriateness scores of the phlebotomy carts designed for bedridden patients showed that the Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital staff rated the device at a medium level, with the highest scores in creativity, followed by modernity, ease of mobility, cleanliness of the materials and equipment for phlebotomy services, and durability, respectively. Patients rated the device as highly appropriate, with the highest scores in modernity, followed by safety, compactness, ease of mobility, creativity, and durability, respectively. Patients’ relatives also rated the device as highly appropriate, with the highest scores in safety, followed by compactness, ease of mobility, creativity, modernity, and durability, respectively. To evaluate the appropriate of the phlebotomy carts designed for bedridden patients, it was found that the median appropriate rating from the Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital staff is approximately 4.0, with an interquartile range (IQR) between 3.5 and 4.5. Meanwhile, the median appropriate rating from the patients and patients’ relatives is approximately 4.5, with an IQR between 4.0 and 5.0. The phlebotomy carts designed for bedridden patients is highly appropriate for use, as it facilitates convenience, ensures safety, and enhances the efficiency of services.

Benjakul water extraction prevents the aging of kidney cells in high-fat diet-induced obese rats

Kevalin Voungthoung — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Study on the effects of Benjakul extract in preventing kidney cell aging in 18 male Sprague-Dawley obese rats, divided into 6 groups: a control group receiving a normal diet, a high-fat diet group, a high-fat diet group supplemented with a low-dose water extract of Benjakul, a high-fat diet group supplemented with a high-dose water extract of Benjakul, a group receiving a high-fat diet with wild betel leaf water extract, and a group receiving a high-fat diet with metformin. After a 4-week feeding period, the rats were assessed for body weight, blood sugar, insulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) in the kidneys. It was observed that the aqueous extract of Benjakul showed a tendency to reduce the body weight of rat starting from week 1, and it demonstrated the most significant weight reduction in weeks 3 and 4 when compared to the group receiving a high-fat diet. High-dose Benjakul water extract showed the highest insulin sensitivity, while low-dose Benjakul water extract and wild betel leaf water extract had a tendency to reduce BUN levels, indicating potential renal protection. In contrast, high-dose Benjakul water extract and metformin showed a trend towards increased BUN levels, suggesting potential kidney damage. Both low-dose and high-dose Benjakul water extracts demonstrated the ability to reduce the density of SA-β-gal staining in kidney cells, indicating a potential anti-aging effect on kidney cells in rat receiving a high-fat diet.

Learning management strategy for learning outcome achievement in immunology courses

Sarawut Suttirat — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The learning management in the immunology course for medical technology students revealed issues with understanding and integrating the components of the immune system, as well as calculating serum dilution. To address these problems, the instructors introduced a variety of activity formats designed to enhance both hard and soft skills of the students, in both groups and individual settings. Each activity was tailored to match the individual characteristics of the learners, based on the results of the learner analysis. The effectiveness of these activities was evaluated using scoring rubrics and knowledge tests that had been validated for reliability. The knowledge test results indicated that the activities improved students’ understanding of the subject contents, while feedback from focus groups showed that students enjoyed the activities. When comparing the learning outcomes over the past five years, it was found that adjusting the learning management strategy led to better learning results and achievement of the course learning outcomes.

The Study of Application of Active Learning Activities for Development of Learning Outcomes in Clinical Chemistry and Soft Skills of Medical Technology Students

Chompunoot Sinthupibulyakit — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to 1) develop learning outcomes in Clinical Chemistry and soft skills through active learning activities, and 2) evaluate the students' attitudes toward active learning activites. The sample group consisted of 227 students enrolled in the Clinical Chemistry 3 course at the Faculty of Medical Technology, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University. The research tools included: 1) four active learning formats with three activities, 2) pre- and post-tests for active learning activities, 3) an evaluation form for social skills across four aspects, 4) an attitude assessment form for active learning activities, and 5) focus group discussions. The findings revealed that students demonstrated significant development in Clinical Chemistry learning outcomes, ranging from moderate to highly advanced levels, with statistically significant improvement in post-learning test scores (p < 0.001). Soft skills scores also showed a statistically significant increase after the active learning activities (p < 0.001), particularly in collaboration and teamwork skills, which were rated highly advanced development. Additionally, students expressed an excellent positive attitude toward active learning activities, with an average score of 4.56, (S.D. = 0.44). In conclusion, the active learning approach effectively enhanced students' understanding of the course content and fostered desirable soft skills.