Effects of introducing an office chemistry machine

An office chemistry machine was placed into service at the SIU Springfield Family Practice Center. After one year's use of the machine, a study was performed to learn whether there were changes in the methods, of costs, and of care for hypertensive patients compared to the year before introduction of the machine. After introduction of the machine, the physicians began to order individual tests performed in the office rather than chemistry panels performed by the reference laboratory. There was no change in the frequency or costs of testing. Frequency of visits for hypertension and visits for all other reasons did not differ. The level of blood pressure control was the same before and after introduction of the machine. Thus, in this study, introduction of an office chemistry machine resulted in greater revenues to the clinic without changing quality of care or increasing the overall cost of treatment.