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Biochemical Screening Tests: Effect of Panel Size on Medical Care

Biochemical Screening Tests: Effect of Panel Size on Medical Care Abstract During a period of evaluation of an automated clinical analyzer (AutoChemist), a panel of 20 biochemical tests was performed for patients undergoing a multiphasic health checkup. For a representative sample of the patients, the results of only eight previously used tests were reported to their physicians. Within three to four months of follow-up, new diagnoses, evidence for existing diagnoses, additional tests, additional follow-up visits, phone calls, referrals, therapeutic advice, and prescriptions occurred about 1½ to 2 times more frequently following abnormalities on the 20-test report than on the 8-test report. Normal results on related tests did not generally reduce the follow-up of abnormalities of the original tests. The value of the increase in diagnoses and therapy generated by the additional tests as compared to the associated costs has yet to be determined. References 1. Advances in Automated Analysis: Technicon International Congress, 1969: Vol 3: Biomedical Profiling . White Plains, NY, Mediad Inc, 1970. 2. Presymptomatic detection and early diagnosis, editorial. Lancet 1:612, 1969. 3. Wilson JMG: The evaluation of the worth of early disease detection. J Roy Coll Gen Pract 2( (suppl) ):48-57, 1968. 4. Schoen I: Clinical chemistry: A retrospective look at routine screening. Calif Med 108:430-436, 1968. 5. Routine tests—the physician's responsibility, editorial. New Eng J Med 274:222, 1966. 6. Collen MF, Davis L: The multitest laboratory in health care. J Occup Med 11:355-360, 1969. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Internal Medicine American Medical Association

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References (7)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1972 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-9926
eISSN
1538-3679
DOI
10.1001/archinte.1972.00320010095012
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract During a period of evaluation of an automated clinical analyzer (AutoChemist), a panel of 20 biochemical tests was performed for patients undergoing a multiphasic health checkup. For a representative sample of the patients, the results of only eight previously used tests were reported to their physicians. Within three to four months of follow-up, new diagnoses, evidence for existing diagnoses, additional tests, additional follow-up visits, phone calls, referrals, therapeutic advice, and prescriptions occurred about 1½ to 2 times more frequently following abnormalities on the 20-test report than on the 8-test report. Normal results on related tests did not generally reduce the follow-up of abnormalities of the original tests. The value of the increase in diagnoses and therapy generated by the additional tests as compared to the associated costs has yet to be determined. References 1. Advances in Automated Analysis: Technicon International Congress, 1969: Vol 3: Biomedical Profiling . White Plains, NY, Mediad Inc, 1970. 2. Presymptomatic detection and early diagnosis, editorial. Lancet 1:612, 1969. 3. Wilson JMG: The evaluation of the worth of early disease detection. J Roy Coll Gen Pract 2( (suppl) ):48-57, 1968. 4. Schoen I: Clinical chemistry: A retrospective look at routine screening. Calif Med 108:430-436, 1968. 5. Routine tests—the physician's responsibility, editorial. New Eng J Med 274:222, 1966. 6. Collen MF, Davis L: The multitest laboratory in health care. J Occup Med 11:355-360, 1969.

Journal

Archives of Internal MedicineAmerican Medical Association

Published: Jan 1, 1972

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