The medical technologist and evaluation of health technologies

Increased social pressure for accountability in the medical care fields and recognition that new and expensive health care technologies have limited impact on health status has brought acknowledgment that the United States has no rational approach to identification, evaluation, and implementation of innovative medical technologies. As in other health care sectors, comprehensive and long-range evaluation of impacts of new medical laboratory technology on both the laboratory and the patient are lacking. It is evident that as questions concerning cost effectiveness are raised, more rigorous evaluation of laboratory technologies must be undertaken. Federal legislation has mandated creation of a National Center for Health Care Technology (NCHCT) with a primary mission to stimulate assessment of health care technologies. This legislation could provide the basis for a more rational approach to technology assessment. Potential implications of technology assessment on laboratory practices and third party reimbursement policy, as well as potential opportunities for laboratory professionals, are discussed.