Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, has been honored as one of the nation's Top 100 Innovators in the prestigious InformationWeek 500 ranking, published in the September 20 edition of CMP Media's InformationWeek magazine. Quest Diagnostics ranked #87, up from #149 in 2003.

"We are pleased to be one of InformationWeek's top innovators and to be included in the InformationWeek 500 for the seventh consecutive year," said Surya N. Mohapatra, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Quest Diagnostics is a recognized leader in developing information technology solutions that provide physicians and patients online access to needed healthcare information."

Quest Diagnostics, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, MedPlus, is a leading developer and integrator of clinical connectivity and data management solutions for healthcare organizations and clinicians. These solutions efficiently and securely collect, store, manage and retrieve clinical information, including laboratory test results, within an organization, enterprise or community via virtual private networks and/or the Internet. MedPlus solutions, including eMaxx® (physician-focused clinical integration portal solution) and ChartMaxx® (electronic patient record solution) have been implemented in more than 300 healthcare facilities throughout North America.

The InformationWeek 500 ranks the nation's most innovative IT users using a proprietary weighting system that takes into account each company's management priorities, technology strategies, staffing initiatives and budget plans. Additional information about the listing is available on the Internet at: http://www.informationweek.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/

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 2003 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

CONTACT: Quest Diagnostics - Laure Park (Investors), +1-201-393-5030, or
Gary Samuels (Media), +1-201-393-5700

Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/