TETERBORO, N.J., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services, announced today that its MedPlus healthcare
information technology subsidiary was recognized as the number one document
management and imaging (DMI) vendor for its ChartMaxx(R) enterprise-wide
electronic patient record (EPR) solution for hospitals. The ranking was
released by KLAS Enterprises in its "Top 20: Mid-Year Report Card." MedPlus
develops advanced healthcare information technology solutions, which provide
physician and hospital customers with access to essential healthcare
information at the critical point of decision-making.
KLAS defines DMI vendors as companies that provide the core capabilities
of scanning, creating, archiving, workflow and validation of electronically
stored documents and non-clinical images. The study is a summary of the
performance data collected over the past 13 months from information technology
executives and other healthcare professionals. The ratings are based on
feedback received from current customers.
"We are honored to place first in this prestigious industry ranking," said
Richard A. Mahoney, Vice President, Healthcare Information Solutions, Quest
Diagnostics. "Our goal is to provide superior customer support and
implementation services by continuing to release high-quality and timely
product enhancements."
ChartMaxx received the highest overall score of those vendors which
received a ranking in the DMI category, exceeding the scores for products
provided by McKesson, Siemens, Cerner, AMS, LanVision, and Eclipsys. Out of
these vendors, ChartMaxx also exhibited the greatest percentage improvement
from the end-of year 2003 KLAS report. The study consisted of 40 performance
questions related to customer satisfaction including contracting, sales,
implementation, telephone support, integration services and upgrades.
ChartMaxx received its highest rating in KLAS' "Worth the Effort" category.
When asked whether they would buy the ChartMaxx product again, 100 percent of
customers interviewed said they would.
According to KLAS in the December, 2003 Document Management and Imaging
Specialty Report, "Document Management and Imaging Systems are not only
emerging as a strategy in achieving enterprise access to information, but
based on functionality available today, can act as a viable 'integration tool'
for data from disparate systems. DMI systems play a more obvious role in the
ability to achieve both a 'paperless' environment and, potentially, an
electronic medical record."
MedPlus has continued to add to the user and document count included in
ChartMaxx and has realized dramatic increases in the number of users and
stored documents since first being recognized as number one by KLAS in
February, 2002. ChartMaxx has more than 250 million clinical and
administrative documents stored in the system for 11 million patients.
About KLAS Enterprises
KLAS, founded in 1996, is the only research and consulting firm that
specializes in providing the healthcare information technology (HIT) industry
with unbiased, factual information on HIT vendor performance. KLAS, teamed
with thousands of healthcare executives, CIOs, directors, managers and
clinicians, has created a dynamic database of information on the performance
of HIT vendors. The KLAS database represents the opinions of healthcare
executives, managers and clinicians from more than 4,500 healthcare facilities
on more than 500 different products. The information contained within the
database is current, as it is refreshed daily with new performance evaluations
and interviews. KLAS utilizes a two-step process to collect candid
performance data so KLAS clients are able to clearly see how a vendor or
product is truly performing. For further information, contact KLAS
Enterprises, LLC toll-free at 866-268-9438 or visit the Web at
http://www.healthcomputing.com.
How to Obtain a Copy of the Report
If you have questions about the study or if you would like to purchase a
copy, call toll-free at 866-268-9438 or visit http://www.healthcomputing.com.
About ChartMaxx
ChartMaxx is an enterprise-wide electronic patient record solution, which
enables organizations to create and manage an electronic repository comprised
of clinical, financial and administrative information. Immediate, concurrent
access to information makes ChartMaxx a key component in efficient management
of patient records. The solution provides the tools hospitals need to
accelerate turnaround time for chart completion, introduce electronic patient
registration, utilize remote coding, automate release of information and
maximize electronic information access across the entire facility. ChartMaxx
has been implemented in more than 70 patient care locations throughout the
United States and Canada.
About MedPlus
MedPlus is a leading developer and integrator of clinical connectivity and
data management solutions for healthcare organizations and clinicians. These
solutions efficiently and securely collect, store, manage and retrieve
clinical information within an organization, enterprise or community via
virtual private networks and/or the Internet. MedPlus solutions, including
eMaxx(R) (physician-focused clinical integration portal solution) and
ChartMaxx(R) (electronic patient record solution) have been implemented in
more than 300 healthcare facilities throughout North America. MedPlus is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. For more
information, visit the Company's Web site at http://www.medplus.com.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of
diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable
healthcare professionals to make decisions that improve health. The company
offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national
network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive
consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest
Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based
medical testing, and provides advanced information technology solutions to
improve patient care. Additional company information is available at:
http://www.questdiagnostics.com.
The statements in this press release, which are not historical facts or
information, may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties
may include, but are not limited to, competitive environment, changes in
government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers,
suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated 2003 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
-0- 07/14/2004
/CONTACT: Media - Jennifer Somers, +1-201-393-5700, or Investors - Laure
Park, +1-201-393-5030, both for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated/
/Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com
http://www.medplus.com
http://www.healthcomputing.com /
(DGX)