Economic consequence of immediate testing for C-reactive protein and leukocyte count in new outpatients with acute infection.

Background: There have been few well-designed studies that assess the cost-effectiveness of near-patient immediate testing.

Methods: We analyzed the economic outcome of immediate testing for C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) in 305 new outpatients with acute infections. Patients were randomized into two groups: 147 patients were tested immediately for CRP and WBC before the physician's initial consultation (advance testing), and 154 patients were not subjected to advance testing.