Executing DOS command with result

[C42]

I'm trying to write a Python script to automate an MS Exchange defragment
procedure.

Part of the procedure uses a Microsoft-created DOS utility that, when run,
returns a message in the DOS box that reports how it ran.

What I'm trying to determine is if there is any way to have Python use
conditional statements based upon the result of running this program.

Thanks for the help,
Chris