SECAUCUS, N.J. and HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced it has acquired the outreach lab services operations of two hospitals of Hartford HealthCare (HHC), The William W. Backus Hospital and The Hospital of Central Connecticut. HHC is an integrated health care system with five acute care hospitals in Connecticut.

Quest and HHC completed the acquisition following approval to proceed from the state of Connecticut's Office of Health Care Access. The acquisition will enable physicians and patients in Connecticut to directly access Quest's broader range of testing services, including several proprietary advanced diagnostic services, as well as an expanded network of patient service centers. 

Testing performed by the two hospitals will transition to Quest's  full-service clinical laboratory in Marlborough, Mass, as well as rapid response labs in Wallingford, Torrington, Stratford, Hartford and Norwich, Conn. Additional terms were not disclosed.

The transaction builds on a long-standing and productive relationship between Quest and HHC. In 2016, Quest acquired the outreach laboratory service business of Clinical Laboratory Partners, which was a wholly-owned subsidiary of HHC at the time.  

"We are confident our physicians and patients will be in very good hands," said Bimal Patel, President of Backus Hospital and Lucille Janatka, President of The Hospital of Central Connecticut.  "Quest is the world leader in laboratory services and is extremely capable of continuing our tradition of patient-centered care and excellent customer service. We also thank our lab employees, and our dedicated physicians and patients at Backus and the Hospital of Central Connecticut for all they have done over the years to make our outreach laboratory business such a success."

"This transaction builds on the strong relationship we've built with Hartford HealthCare, as well as providers and patients across the region who benefit from greater access to Quest's diagnostic insights and innovations," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, President and CEO, Quest Diagnostics. "It is also the fifth strategically aligned, accretive acquisition we've announced in 2017, delivering on our two-point strategy to accelerate growth and drive operational excellence, while strengthening our presence in New England."

About Hartford HealthCare

Hartford HealthCare is Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network. Our fully integrated health system includes a tertiary-care teaching hospital, an acute-care community teaching hospital, an acute-care hospital and trauma center, two community hospitals, the state's most extensive behavioral health network, a large multispecialty physician group, a regional home care system, an array of senior care services, a large physical therapy and rehabilitation network and an accountable care organization. The Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute provides coordinated care across five cancer centers, and is the charter member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance. Visit us at www.hartfordhealthcare.org

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes.  Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management.  Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our 43,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives.  For more information, please visit www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

50th Anniversary: In 2017, Quest Diagnostics celebrates 50 years of life-changing results. To learn about our legacy of accomplishments and quest to improve healthcare in the future, visit www.QuestDiagnostics.com/50Years.

Quest, Quest Diagnostics, and all associated Quest Diagnostics registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest Diagnostics. All third-party marks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics