Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , 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®, an electronic health record solution at A.O. Fox's hospital and offsite care centers. ChartMaxx was developed by MedPlus®, 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

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