LYNDHURST, N.J., July 20 /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 has been recognized as the number one
Document Management and Imaging (DMI) vendor in the 2005 "Top 20: KLAS
Mid-Year Report Card." ((C) 2005 KLAS Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.)
This top ranking marks the third time the company's ChartMaxx(R) product, an
enterprise-wide electronic patient record solution, has placed first in the
KLAS mid-year report.
KLAS rankings are based on interviews with healthcare executives,
professionals and clinicians at more than 4,500 hospitals and 2,500 clinics
nationwide. The ratings are based on feedback received from current customers.
In this same report MedPlus' ChartMaxx was ranked the tenth best solution out
of 79 products for its ability to provide an immediate operational impact to
hospitals. Additionally, 100 percent of respondents indicated they would buy
ChartMaxx again and recommend it to their peers.
KLAS defines DMI vendors as companies that scan, create, archive, workflow
and validate a variety of clinical and non-clinical (administrative/business)
paper and electronic documents. According to KLAS, DMI systems are emerging as
key solutions for hospitals to gain enterprise access to information while
integrating data from disparate systems.
"We're delighted our ChartMaxx solution achieved first place again in the
KLAS report," said Richard Mahoney, Vice President, Healthcare Information
Solutions at Quest Diagnostics and MedPlus President. "The results
demonstrate our commitment to listening to our customers and delivering a
valuable solution that helps them improve patient care and maximize business
performance."
The KLAS report includes favorable commentary from healthcare executives
who highlight ChartMaxx's value. "We have seen a lot of benefits from
ChartMaxx," said a KLAS survey respondent. "Our financial area has improved
their processes because of the new correspondence workflow. Our medical
record coders have transitioned to work at home, and we are essentially a
paperless environment at this time." Another survey respondent said,
"ChartMaxx has exceeded our expectations. It is easy for our physicians to
complete their charts and sign off electronically, and they are all very
complimentary about this system. Physicians are able to access the system from
their home office and they think it is the best product we have."
Today, MedPlus has more than 100 ChartMaxx systems installed in hospitals
and clinics with 115,000 clinical and administrative users managing more than
250 million clinical and administrative documents 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 hospitals and 2,500
clinics 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 health record solution built on
a document management & imaging foundation that enables healthcare
organizations to enhance performance by improving patient care and maximizing
business results through the efficient collection, access and use 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 100 hospitals and clinics throughout the
United States and Canada. For more information visit http://www.medplus.com.
About MedPlus
MedPlus, the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Quest
Diagnostics, is a leading developer and integrator of clinical connectivity
and healthcare data management solutions that foster better patient care and
improve business performance for healthcare institutions, physicians and
patients. The company's ChartMaxx and Care360 solutions efficiently and
securely collect, store, manage and integrate clinical information within an
organization, enterprise, practice or community. ChartMaxx, the award-
winning electronic patient record solution, has been implemented in more than
100 hospitals and clinics with over 115,000 clinical and administrative users.
Care360 is a patient-centric physician portal providing a network of over
50,000 physicians and their staff with tools to improve patient care and
overall office efficiency. 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 2004 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics
CONTACT: Laure Park
Investors
201-393-5030
Jennifer Somers
Media
201-393-5700,
both for Quest Diagnostics