ATLANTA, March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Two of the nation's largest healthcare information networks, Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, and Surescripts®, The Nation's E-Prescription Network™, today announced an agreement to pioneer the formation of an integrated service to make laboratory and prescription information broadly and easily accessible to physicians. The collaboration is designed to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Quest Diagnostics tests approximately 150 million patients each year and has 150,000 physicians connected to its Care360™ platform. Surescripts processed nearly 600 million e-prescription messages in 2009. The company supports approximately 170,000 active prescribers.

"In recent years, Surescripts and Quest Diagnostics have each committed to pioneering advancements in healthcare technology solutions," said Richard A. Mahoney, Quest Diagnostics' Vice President, Healthcare Information Solutions. "Now, we are working together to support our nation's goal to achieve a National Health Information Network (NHIN), with an aim to make it possible and realistic for physicians to use technology meaningfully toward optimal and efficient patient care."

According to Harry Totonis, Surescripts' president and CEO, "Surescripts built the nation's e-prescribing network and the ecosystem to support it, based on the foundations of neutrality, efficiency and quality. This strategic alliance will leverage the strengths and experience behind our laboratory and prescription networks with an intent to form an information-rich, interoperable service that helps to lower costs and transform patient care throughout the healthcare system."

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.

About Surescripts

Surescripts operates the nation's largest e-prescription network and supports a rapidly expanding ecosystem of health care organizations nationwide. Surescripts was founded on the principles of neutrality, transparency, interoperability, efficiency, collaboration and quality. Surescripts connects prescribers in all 50 states through their choice of e-prescribing software to the nation's leading payers, chain pharmacies and independent pharmacies. Available during emergencies or routine care, The Nation's E-Prescription Network gives health care providers secure, low-cost, electronic access to prescription and health information that can save their patients' lives, improve efficiency and reduce the cost of health care for all. For more information, go to www.surescripts.com.

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they are made and which reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of the company include, but are not limited to, adverse results from pending or future government investigations, lawsuits or private actions, the competitive environment, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers and strategic partners and other factors discussed in "Business," in "Risk Factors," "Cautionary Factors that May Affect Future Results," "Legal Proceedings," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in the company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other items throughout the Form 10-K and the company's Current Reports on Form 8-K.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics