MILWAUKEE and LYNDHURST, N.J., July 13, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- St.
Joseph's Physicians Association (SJPA), an independent physicians association
(IPA) that comprises nearly 400 doctors in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan
area, today announced that it has selected Quest Diagnostics' Care360
physician portal to help its physician members deliver better patient care.
The Care360 physician portal enables physicians to order diagnostic tests
and review laboratory results online; prescribe medication at the point of
care; view clinical and administrative information from multiple sources; file
documents received electronically or in hard copy into a health record; and
share confidential patient information with medical colleagues in a manner
that is consistent with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act) privacy and security requirements. The Care360 physician portal was
developed by MedPlus, the healthcare information technology subsidiary of
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services.
SJPA's physicians will now be able to communicate with each other and
exchange electronic reports. SJPA polled its members last year and discovered
that the majority were interested in such a system, but didn't have the time
or financial resources to obtain and extensive system on their own. "SJPA is
pleased to provide an economical means of becoming connected to fellow
physicians as well as cooperating hospitals and other organizations that
provide laboratory and other testing results," said Donald Carr, M.D.,
president of SJPA.
"This relationship is in keeping with our history of assisting our
physicians in providing top-quality patient care," added Dr. Carr. The Care360
system also allows physicians to securely connect from any computer that has
Internet access and, according to Dr. Carr, "is a tremendous timesaving over
using telephone, fax or regular mail. Its use will have a measurable impact
on improving efficient and effective patient care."
Care360 will help SJPA physicians move toward clinical integration, which
refers to a linked network of primary care and specialty physicians working as
a single team to coordinate care for patients.
In a clinically integrated healthcare environment, physicians share
clinical information; coordinate treatment; develop practice protocols; and
monitor the compliance of individuals in the group(1). Benefits of clinical
integration are to improve the quality of care to patients, control healthcare
costs and improve an IPA's competitive advantage.
"We are delighted to offer SJPA physicians a solution that will improve
patient care by allowing them to share vital patient information with
colleagues," said Richard A. Mahoney, Vice President, Healthcare Information
Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. "Information sharing is an important first
step toward coordinated care for patients and we are excited that Care360 will
play a critical role in this process."
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services that patients and doctors need to make better
healthcare decisions. 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 a pioneer in developing
innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology
solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is
available at: http://www.questdiagnostics.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 St. Joseph's Physician's Association
St. Joseph's Physicians Association is an independent physicians
association that has been providing health care services to Metropolitan
Milwaukee area patients for more than 22 years. SJPA has also provided medical
management, claims processing and related services for its physicians, as well
as for some of its contracted health plans and health organizations.
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.
(1) Source: Thomas B. Leary, "The Anti-Trust Implications of 'Clinical
Integration': An Analysis of FTC Staff's Advisory Opinion to MedSouth,"
http://www.ftc.gov/speeches/leary/eicreview.pdf, p.5., April 12, 2002
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics; St. Joseph's Physicians Association, S.C.
Investors, Laure Park
201-393-5030
or Media
Gary Samuels
201-393-5700,
both of Quest Diagnostics;
or Sanford Weisenburg,
COO of St. Joseph's Physicians Association, S.C.,
262-787-0710, sandyw@sjpaipa.com