LYNDHURST, N.J., and ONEONTA, N.Y., May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider of
diagnostic testing, information and services, and A.O. Fox Hospital, Oneonta's
largest healthcare provider, today announced the successful implementation of
ChartMaxx(R), an electronic health record solution at A.O. Fox's hospital and
offsite care centers. ChartMaxx was developed by MedPlus(R), Quest
Diagnostics' healthcare information technology subsidiary.
Authorized users throughout A.O. Fox's hospital and off-site care centers
can now electronically access patients' medical, financial and administrative
information at any time, improving clinical outcomes and expediting the flow
of information to better service the 120,000 patients who visit A.O. Fox each
year.
"Partnering with MedPlus has allowed our nurses and physicians to provide
care in a more robust, dynamic way and will continue to make A.O. Fox the
leading, high-quality clinical care provider in our area," said John R.
Remillard, president and chief executive officer of A.O. Fox Hospital. "This
noteworthy, electronic health record solution (EHR) investment is yet another
reflection of our distinct commitment to the quality of care we give our
valued patients."
A.O. Fox has fully integrated MedPlus' ChartMaxx throughout its continuum
of care. ChartMaxx is an enterprise-wide electronic health record solution
that allows A.O. Fox's caregivers to simultaneously view clinical documents
and medical images, rather than relying on traditional paper charts that can
only be accessed by a single clinician at a time. ChartMaxx provides
authorized users with immediate, concurrent access to records captured from
scanned documents, interfaced documents and discrete data.
"When selecting an electronic health record (EHR) partner, A.O. Fox looked
for an organization that could deliver a cohesive and seamless application,"
said Donna Schultes, Assistant V.P. of Quality Management Services. "We needed
an entirely integrated clinical solution and MedPlus was by far the leader in
all our requirements, including clinical unification, flexibility,
affordability and customization. Moving from a paper-based medical record
system to an electronic record solution enhanced patient services and
satisfaction, which has always been a primary focus at A.O. Fox."
More than 90% of A.O. Fox physicians are using ChartMaxx to review patient
medical histories, test results and reports, as well as electronically sign
charts from on-site or remote locations. "Utilizing ChartMaxx allows
physicians and other care givers to have access to all current patient
information and share it simultaneously via its secure Internet connection,
enabling more informed decisions using accurate, timely data," said Carlton
Rule, MD, Susquehanna Family Practice. "This easy EHR system improves the
delivery of care to our patients by arming physicians with patient information
at the time of treatment whether it is in the hospital, office or remote
setting."
"Many hospitals across the nation are embracing the latest electronic
health record technology and A.O. Fox is at the forefront," said Richard A.
Mahoney, President, MedPlus and Vice President, Healthcare Information
Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. "We are dedicated to helping A.O. Fox and
healthcare systems nationwide deliver high-quality healthcare by streamlining
processes, improving quality and safety of patient care and reducing costs."
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 120
hospitals and clinics with more than 125,000 clinical and administrative
users. Care360 is a patient-centric physician portal providing a network of
more than 80,000 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 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 information technology solutions
that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available
at: http://www.questdiagnostics.com.
About A.O. Fox Hospital
For over 100 years, A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta has provided
primary and specialty healthcare services for patients from Otsego, Delaware,
Chenango and Schoharie counties in the central New York region. With 128 acute
care hospital beds and 130 nursing home beds, the facility employs nearly
1,000 skilled professionals. The 75 member Medical Staff represents more than
30 specialty areas. Fox Hospital offers a wide range of clinical and
diagnostic services and operates an urgent care center and a 145,000 square
foot outpatient center. There are also inpatient psychiatric services for both
adults and adolescents, as well as a radiation treatment facility for cancer
patients. Fox Hospital is affiliated with the Albany Medical Center.
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 2005 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated; MedPlus
CONTACT: Quest Diagnostics Contacts - Laure Park, Investors,
+1-201-393-5030, or
Jennifer Somers, Media, +1-201-393-5700; or
A.O. Fox
Hospital Contact - Maggie Barnes, Media, +1-607-431-5441