Only MBBS can sign lab reports, Msc Cannot: MCI

New Delhi: In a decision that is in all likeliness going to change the dynamics of the laboratory medicine across the country, a recent MCI notification was seen clarifying that All lab reports to be signed/countersigned by persons registered with MCI/State Medical Council, thus implying that only MBBS doctors would be allowed to sign lab reports while Medical Msc/ PhD, medical lab technicians  cannot.

In a letter addressed to the Director, National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories ( NABL), the Medical council of India was recently seen communicating the decision of its Executive Committee on the issues raised by the said organisation.

In Particular, the NABL had written to the council seeking its stand on the following issues

• Whether the M. Sc with Ph D candidates who as a matter of fact are not registered with MCI are eligible to sign medical laboratory reports?


• Can persons holding MBBS degree registered with MCI/State Medical Council sign the medical test reports?


• Can PhD (Medical Microbiology, Medical Biochemistry, Life Sciences, Applied Biology, Cytogenetics, Biotechnology) in relevant discipline be allowed to sign medical test reports? If not, can the same be allowed if they are co-authorized with a person registered with MCI/State Medical Council?

The council responding to the queries raised by NABL, stated that the above matter was considered by the Ethics Committee at its several meetings & lastly on 6th & 7th February, 2017. The decision of the Ethics Committee was placed before the Executive Committee for approval on 11.04.2017.

Communicating the decision of the executive committee, MCI noted

It was decided by the Executive Committee that "All lab reports to be signed/countersigned by persons registered with MCI/State Medical Council."

As the notice has been worded, two implications can be clearly drawn from the order

1. MBBS can sign/countersign Lab reports- Qualified MBBS practitioner, by virtue of his/her registration with the MCI/State Medical Council, would be now allowed to sign lab reports.


2. Medical Msc/ PH.D and technicians cannot sign lab reports- Since these practitioners are not registered with the MCI/state Medical council, they would NOT be allowed to sign lab reports

Perspective:-

The decision by the Ethical and Executive of Medical Council of India has changed the practicing paradigm of laboratory medicine. Till now, in thousands of laboratories across the country, Msc ; PhD  and those MBBS doctors with three years of experience were allowed to sign report as authorized signatories With this latest decision, MBBS qualification is enough to practice laboratory medicine, but those having an Msc/PhD stand at a disadvantage.

A Similar decision has been taken by the Delhi High court allowing MBBS doctors to practice ultrasound.

Read Also : Delhi High Court Judgement clarifies who can do an ultrasound

Attached is the notice below

[pdf-embedder url="https://medicaldialogues.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/MCI-Order-1-1.pdf"]