Patient-Based Record Improves Quality, Safety and Efficiency

MADISON, N.J., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedPlus, the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), today announced that NYCLIX is now sharing key patient data electronically among ten unaffiliated healthcare organizations across New York City using the company's Centergy™ suite of integrated health information exchange (HIE) solutions. NYCLIX partner hospitals and physicians now have the opportunity to enhance the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care by accessing in real time clinical information using a patient-based record that is accessible through interoperable hospital network and Electronic Health Record (EHR) technologies.

NYCLIX partner healthcare institutions record 840,000 emergency visits annually, as well as 470,000 discharges, 6.8 million outpatient visits and 5.9 million home visits. NYCLIX's vision is a healthcare system that facilitates patients' access to care; improves quality, safety and efficiency; and empowers consumers through improved access to information, all while preserving patient privacy.

"Successful interoperability between various systems is key to a large-scale HIE initiative such as ours," said Gilad J. Kuperman, MD, PhD, chairman of the NYCLIX board and director of Interoperability Informatics at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. "Our participating organizations include some of the largest hospitals in the most populous American city, and between inpatient and emergency department visits, account for more than a million encounters annually. As a partner, MedPlus was instrumental in not only interfacing a multitude of departmental and ancillary systems into a centralized and easy-to-use frontend, but also in integrating the patient matching capabilities required by such an enormous endeavor."

Centergy's clinician-friendly portal technology serves as a unified frontend for more than 80 interfaced health information technology (HIT) systems. Clinicians have access to a variety of patient information regardless of treatment location, including registration data, lab results, past diagnoses, clinical notes, medications, allergies, and procedure codes. In addition, clinicians can connect to radiology, cardiology, pathology, endoscopy and EKG reports.

"NYCLIX has taken a great step forward in bringing the next generation of healthcare to the people of New York City," said Richard Mahoney, president of MedPlus and vice president of Healthcare Information Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. "Its seamless sharing of patient information among nine emergency rooms, a large community health center and the nation's largest home care agency can provide significant improvements to overall healthcare for its patients, and serve as a model of interoperable HIT that can help improve patient outcomes."

Centergy allows providers and institutions to connect to an existing, proven network of easy-to-use solutions, and share comprehensive clinical information in real-time across HIEs of any size or geographical scope. MedPlus has connected more than 140,000 physicians, more than 85 EMR applications and some of the nation's largest HIEs, including one-third of the original Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) demonstration projects.

Centergy is linking nine emergency rooms at Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt, NYU Medical Center, New York Presbyterian, Mount Sinai Medical Center, St. Vincent Medical Center, Staten Island University Hospital and SUNY Downstate. In addition, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and the Institute for Family Health community health center are also contributing and sharing data. NYCLIX is also providing data to the New York State Department of Health for a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) sponsored project that is examining how HIEs can be used to support biosurveillance and other public health goals.

About the New York Clinical Information Exchange (NYCLIX, Inc.)

NYCLIX, Inc. is a New York State not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to create a clinical data exchange capability to improve patient care in the New York City region. NYCLIX's vision is a health care system in which innovative models of care enabled by interoperability facilitate patients' access to care, lead to improved quality, safety and efficiency of care, and increase consumer empowerment though improved access to information, all while preserving patient privacy. Incorporated in 2005, NYCLIX has received both Federal and New York State grants to support its work. NYCLIX's current membership includes 11 hospitals (8 of which are in Manhattan), the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, a federally qualified health center, and a faculty practice organization. NYCLIX leadership includes clinical, technical, and informatics representatives from the largest provider organizations in New York City, as well as representatives from the region's businesses, public health departments, policy-making organizations, and consumer advocacy groups. More information about NYCLIX can be found at www.nyclix.org.

About MedPlus

MedPlus, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. MedPlus is a leading developer and integrator of clinical connectivity and healthcare information exchange solutions designed to foster better patient care and improve business performance for healthcare institutions, physicians and patients. The company's Centergy Clinical Portal & Data Exchange Engine and ChartMaxx® solutions efficiently and securely collect, store, manage and integrate clinical information within an organization, enterprise, practice or community. Centergy enables clinicians to access patient data in a centralized view aggregated from multiple care sites. ChartMaxx, the company's award-winning electronic patient record system, has been implemented in more than 120 hospitals and integrated healthcare delivery networks and has more than 300,000 users. For more information, visit www.medplus.com.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics is the world's 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 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 diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

    Quest Diagnostics Contacts:
    Barb Short (Media): 973-520-2800
    Laure Park (Investors): 973-520-2900

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

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