LYNDHURST, N.J., May 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic
laboratory testing, information and services, announced today that its
healthcare information technology subsidiary, MedPlus, will test electronic
prescribing standards in two new pilot programs starting in May.
MedPlus will conduct testing in pilot programs in New Jersey and Florida
that are designed to research the function and interoperability of ten
technology standards over the course of 2006. In collaboration with Partners
In Care, a physician organization serving more than 850 private practice
physicians throughout central New Jersey, and Aetna, one of the nation's
leading providers of health care and related benefits, MedPlus will test the
technology standards that facilitate electronic prescribing through its
Care360(TM) Physician Portal. MedPlus will deploy Care360 to select physicians
participating with Partners In Care and Aetna.
MedPlus is participating in the pilot programs via SureScripts, the
nation's leading provider of electronic prescribing services. SureScripts was
recently awarded a $2 million grant to conduct tests of electronic prescribing
as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Medicare
prescription drug benefit program.
The Care360 Physician Portal, developed by MedPlus, is designed to enable
physicians to order diagnostic tests and review laboratory results online;
prescribe medications; monitor patients' response to prescribed treatment
plans; view clinical and administrative information from multiple sources; and
share portions of a patient's file 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 recently enhanced with new electronic
prescribing features, allowing physicians to see critical patient information
when prescribing medication. In one screen, physicians can now review
available medication histories, many drug-to-drug and allergy-to-drug
interactions, patient concerns, notes and messages from other physicians and
recent laboratory test results. The physician can then electronically
prescribe medications right from the patient chart, sending the prescription
directly to a local pharmacy or pharmacy benefit management company.
The grant awards fulfill part of the requirements of the 2003 Medicare
Modernization Act (MMA), which require pilot testing of electronic prescribing
standards as a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services Medicare
Part D prescription drug benefit program. Medicare Part D encourages
physicians to transmit new prescription and refill requests electronically to
a Medicare patient's choice of pharmacy.
"We are pleased to have an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to
healthcare quality by participating in this important Medicare Part D
initiative," said Richard A. Mahoney, Vice President, Healthcare Information
Solutions at Quest Diagnostics and President, MedPlus.
MedPlus will collaborate with the SureScripts' team including pharmacists,
physicians, technology and business process experts who are experienced with
electronic prescribing standards, workflow evaluation, survey design and
research methodologies. In addition to the testing and evaluation of critical
capabilities including pharmacy dispense or fill information, the project will
also provide important data to reinforce the benefits of ePrescribing
technology on healthcare quality and patient safety.
The pilot projects will be evaluated by the Secretary of HHS, and a report
of the evaluation will be sent to Congress by April 1, 2007 as required under
the Medicare Modernization Act. Based on the results of the pilot project, the
Secretary will adopt final uniform standards in 2008 in accordance with the
timing prescribed by the statute.
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
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.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
CONTACT: Investors: Laure Park, +1-201-393-5030, or
Media: Jennifer
Somers, +1-201-393-5700,
both of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated