Pathology doctors registered with MCI can run labs, sign reports

Doctors across sectors are furious that lab technicians are running shop even as high courts of up to four states have passed interim orders stating that only a qualified pathologist can sign diagnostic reports.

Maharashtra Association of Practicing Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM) has written to state authorities stating that even as interim orders of various high courts including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh clearly state that only a pathologist possessing a M.D. degree in Pathology can run a lab and sign reports, lab technicians are openly flouting court orders.

Mushrooming of pathology labs by a dozen has become a cause of concern, they point out. "Anyone can open a pathology laboratory in this date. The person has to acquire a Shops and Establishments License from the municipal corporation and show that they have a pathologist on rolls. However, the state government does not carry out due diligence to ensure that a qualified pathologist is present at all times to sign reports," said Dr Rajiv Rao, executive council member, MAPPM.

Dna has accessed lab reports across suburban Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Panvel where a test reports are signed by a lab technician holding a diploma in medical laboratory technology (DMLT) or a MBBS doctor. Also, MAPPM has pointed out that qualified pathologists from government-run hospitals are on rolls of private laboratories. "Many pathologists whose names are found on reports don't actually sign them. Their names are misused or signatures forged with the knowledge of the pathologist," said Dr Rajesh Mane, secretary, MAPPM.

Mumbai adds close to fifty post graduate pathologists to its pool of doctors every year. There are over 1600 pathology labs in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. "We have adequate post graduate seats to cater to the city. However, there is an extreme mushrooming of path labs being run like irresponsible set ups," said Dr Avinash Supe, dean, BMC-run Sion Hospital.

Doctors fear that such malpractice poses threat to unsuspecting patients. "Most reports are based on machine values. A lab technician reports machine values and blindly signs the report. He/she is not qualified to carry out clinical co-relations in human patients. In case a value is erroneously reported due to deviation in calibration of the machine, a lab tech won't be able to pick up the mistake," said Dr Sandeep Warghade, senior pathologist, Metropolis Healthcare. "It is mandatory that a pathologist observes sample slides. When this does not happen, lab technicians who are not qualified to read slides may report ailments like malaria or dengue to be positive in a patient even though he/she may suffer from another infection."

Dr Warghade said that an audit should be conducted by state regulatory authorities to crack down on such malpractices.

VITAL STATS

- 1600 pathology labs exist in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai
- Small time labs claim that they have a pathologist on rolls, but lab technicians sign reports
- MAPPM has appealed to state authorities to crackdown on such malpractice
- They believe that such lab technicians should be treated as quacks and prosecuted under Maharashtra Medical Practioners Act, 1962