Minneapolis Physician Partners (MPP) is considering adding laboratory equipment to permit restructure of the clinical process of gathering and analyzing blood samples. Currently the process is as follows:

- Physician orders blood test.

- Nurse informs office staff to schedule appointment with patient.

- Office staff telephones patient to schedule appointment.

- Laboratory assistant gathers specimen.

- Laboratory assistant collects a batch of 10 blood specimens before contacting medical courier.

- Courier transports batch of specimens to laboratory across town.

- Lab conducts lab tests requiring 20 minutes and contacts courier.