A multiphasic screening survey in San Jose

Abstract

In the interest of economy and of better service to the persons examined, three screening tests of a kind usually made separately were combined and applied in a single examination of 945 employees in four industrial establishments. Miniature x-ray films of the chest were taken, blood specimens drawn and urine samples obtained so that studies and tests might be made to determine the presence of pulmonary or cardiac disease, syphilis, kidney disease, or diabetes. The history of each person examined was taken. Through this multiphasic survey, 13 cases of significant disease previously unknown to the patient were discovered. Sixteen cases of significant disease, previously known, were also disclosed; and in several such cases treatment was begun or resumed. The results in case finding were considerably greater than those of the customary screening for a single disease.