ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Maggie Gunter, PhD, president of the New Mexico Health Information Collaborative (NMHIC), announced today that the organization has been appointed as the state's official health information exchange (HIE) by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

NMHIC will create the health information exchange infrastructure to connect New Mexico's health care providers through a contract with its technology partner, MedPlus, the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX). MedPlus will connect New Mexico's health care providers to a centralized network containing critical electronic patient information, using its Centergy™ suite of integrated technology solutions.

State-wide HIEs are critical for building a Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN). To ensure this continuity of care, NMHIC will enable health care information to be linked electronically across organizations, both regionally and nationally, and to move clinical information among disparate health care information systems, including physician offices. MedPlus has connected some of the nation's largest HIEs, including one third of the original NHIN demonstration projects, one of which is NMHIC.

"New Mexico is a leader in the use of health information technology, and HIE is key to our success," said Governor Bill Richardson. "The New Mexico Health Information Collaborative has already built a solid foundation during the last several years, thus making it an ideal choice to help move us closer to the goal of quality health care for all at affordable prices."

NMHIC partner health care providers will have access to a centralized network of important information such as lab results, patient record summaries, radiology images, discharge summaries, medication history and claims data. Several leading New Mexico health care providers are already participating in NMHIC, including: Presbyterian Healthcare Services, TriCore Reference Laboratory, Holy Cross Hospital and Albuquerque Ambulance.

"It is an honor that NMHIC has been selected to serve as the state's HIE and to help drive critical data exchange," said Maggie Gunter, PhD, president of NMHIC. "Our goal is to enable New Mexico health care organizations to deliver more efficient and timely patient care by providing streamlined access to vital information related to different aspects of the care process. MedPlus has been instrumental in facilitating the seamless flow of data through all points and has provided a comprehensive Web-based portal that is the core of the HIE."

The MedPlus Centergy integrated solution features a combination of a Clinical Portal, robust Data Exchange Services and a modular ambulatory EMR, Care360 EHR. The Clinical Portal aggregates patient-specific data from various clinical systems and, in compliance with HIPAA, presents information in a single Web-based view at multiple inpatient and remote points of care. The Data Exchange Services form the foundation for the collection, integration, aggregation and distribution of clinical data, while preserving it behind the sponsoring organization's firewall. This real-time data is available to physicians and provides them with the information needed to make more informed decisions, ensuring high quality care for their patients.

"HIEs are an important component of driving better outcomes for patients and more efficient health care," said Richard Mahoney, president of MedPlus and vice president of Healthcare Information Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. "Organizations such as NMHIC are the foundation of building a better health care system and we are honored to be playing such an important role in helping them to achieve their goals."

About The New Mexico Health Information Collaborative

The New Mexico Health Information Collaborative (NMHIC) is the name of New Mexico's rapidly growing health information exchange (HIE) network, as well as the community collaborative that has supported its development with time and funding. The collaborative includes important New Mexico stakeholders representing the largest health care providers, payers, employers, state agencies and consumers. NMHIC was created in 2004, and continues to be fully staffed and operated by the Lovelace Clinic Foundation. LCF is a non-profit applied health research organization founded in 1990.

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 health care information exchange solutions designed to foster better patient care and improve business performance for health care institutions, physicians and patients. The company's Centergy™ 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 DMI and electronic patient record system, has been implemented in more than 100 hospitals and integrated health care 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 health care 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 health care information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

    Contacts:
    Dave Perry (NMHIC Media): 505-938-9910
    Barb Short (Quest Diagnostics Media): 973-520-2800
    Kathleen Valentine (Quest Diagnostics Investors): 973-520-2900

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

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