Quest Diagnostics 1997 Annual Report Download - page 14

Leading Innovator
At Nichols Institute, our research and development center, scientists develop assays, or tests, to
find answers to the most confounding clinical questions. Founded in 1971 to develop new
endocrine tests to detect hormones and diagnose thyroid and other diseases, Nichols Institute has
evolved into a global leader in HIV and cancer testing, using genetic testing and other advanced
technologies. As esoteric tests evolve to become routine, Nichols Institute makes its tests available
to our high-volume labs around the country. A growing Clinical Studies business based at Nichols
Institute is helping pharmaceutical companies speed the development of new drugs.
Nichols Institute Diagnostics turns the specialized tests developed at Nichols Institute into
kits and instruments. It manufactures and sells its products to hospital, commercial and physician
laboratories around the world. NID is currently awaiting approval from the Food and Drug
Administration for its first cancer diagnostic products, which will be featured on its recently
launched Nichols Advantage analyzer.
Exciting advances in biotechnology and computer science are unlocking the secrets of the human
genome. At the same time, the advent of miniaturization is starting to revolutionize the clinical
laboratory. Together, these trends have the potential to transform the clinical laboratory testing
business. We are teaming with technology partners while investing resources, capital and expertise,
primarily in genomics and medical informatics, to ensure our long-term success.
Identifying Patients at Risk
Increasingly, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies and large health care
delivery networks are interested in monitoring and managing the health of large populations of
patients. Many of these organizations have established disease management programs to identify
and track those members who are at the highest risk for certain diseases. Targeting care early to
those who need it most results in better patient care and helps reduce long-term treatment costs.
But finding these patients can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, Quest
Informatics has developed innovative data collection and analysis tools to quickly identify these
at-risk patients. We are mining a rich lode of data from our laboratoriesÕ test results.
ÒPreviously, labs throughout our industry did not recognize the value of clinical laboratory
databases,Ó explains R. Peter Mallon, Ph.D., Vice President, Medical Applications at Quest
Informatics. ÒAs disease management programs evolve and become established, we have
developed sophisticated processes to turn disparate data from multiple sources into valuable
information.Ó
Last year, Michigan managed care provider Blue Care Network of Southeast Michigan collaborated
with Quest Informatics to create an innovative disease management capability. Quest Informatics
developed a diabetes disease management tool which integrated clinical laboratory data with
prescription records. This effort continues to provide network-wide improvement in the care of
patients with diabetes. Research shows that proper monitoring of diabetes patients leads to
reduced complication rates and decreased hospital admissions.
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Our broad network of top
medical specialistsÑfrom our
laboratories and throughout
academiaÑgives us a unique
perspective from which to offer
diagnostic insights.