Quest Diagnostics 2013 Annual Report Download - page 8

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automation, footprint optimization and Project Invigorate. In addition, we expect to make additional investments to restore
growth, including, for example, Project Restore.
Our Strengths
We offer high value diagnostic information services and diagnostic solutions, including those grounded in pathology
and gene-based and esoteric testing, that are attractive to patients, physicians, hospitals, health plans, IDNs, employers and
others. We believe that customers and payers prefer providers that offer a comprehensive and innovative range of tests and
services and the most convenient access to those services and that, by offering such services, we strengthen our market
offering, market position and reputation.
Our assets and capabilities. We are the world leader in the diagnostic information services business. We are the
leading provider in the United States of routine and gene-based and esoteric testing services, including anatomic pathology,
serving approximately one-third of the adult population of the United States each year. We have the leading test menu in the
industry. We offer national access and have the most extensive network in the United States. Our nationwide specimen
collection network includes over 2,200 of our own patient service centers and, in addition, approximately 3,200 phlebotomists
in physician offices. We also operate many additional locations where approximately 5,500 paramedical examiners coordinate
the provision of paramedical examinations related to life insurance applications. We have a medical and scientific staff
available for consultation, including over 725 M.D.s and Ph.D.s, primarily located in the United States, many of whom are
recognized leaders in their field, and genetic counselors. We serve approximately half of the physicians and half of the hospitals
in the United States. We have strong logistics capabilities, including approximately 3,000 courier vehicles and 20 aircraft that
collectively make tens of thousands of stops daily.
Innovation. We are a leading innovator in diagnostic information services with outstanding medical and technical
expertise. We collaborate with multiple organizations, including leading academic centers and others, and maintain
relationships with advisors and consultants that are leaders in key fields, such as cardiology, oncology, neurology and infectious
disease. Our medical and scientific experts publish research that demonstrates the clinical value and importance of diagnostic
testing, including in connection with our research and development efforts. In 2013, they authored approximately 150
publications, including about 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals, that provided insights into diagnostic testing, introduced
novel diagnostic approaches benefiting patients or provided the latest thinking in laboratory testing and disease diagnosis. We
also publish Quest Diagnostics Health TrendsTM reports identifying trends in disease and wellness. Recent reports focused on
cardiovascular health and prescription drug monitoring.
We see significant opportunity to use diagnostic information services to personalize treatment options based on the
individual genetic profile of each patient. For example, we can offer an “end-to-end” array of services for companion
diagnostics. We have expertise dealing with biomarkers in clinical trials, have biomarker discovery capabilities, and can make
available laboratory developed tests, in vitro diagnostics (“IVD”) test kits and late-stage commercialization support for
companion diagnostics for new therapies that will foster personalized patient treatment.
We continue to introduce new tests, technology and services, including many with a focus on personalized and
targeted medicine. In addition, as an industry leader with the largest and broadest U.S. network and presence outside the
United States, we believe we are the distribution channel of choice for developers of new tests to introduce their products to the
marketplace. Through our relationships with the academic medical community, pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms and
other collaborators, we believe that we are a leader in bringing technical innovation to the market.
Leading healthcare information technology solutions. We provide interoperable technologies that help healthcare
organizations and physicians enter, share and access clinical information without costly IT implementation or significant
workflow disruption, including through our Care360® suite of products, and our ChartMaxx® electronic document management
system for hospitals. These solutions offer access to a large national healthcare provider network using Quest Diagnostics'
Care360 connectivity products. The Care360 products, including Care360 Labs and Meds, enable physicians electronically to
order diagnostic testing and review test results from Quest Diagnostics and electronically to prescribe medications. Our
Care360 EHR product allows physicians to generate a complete record of a clinical patient encounter, automates and
streamlines the clinician's workflow, and allows for rapid deployment and implementation with minimal workflow disruption.
We believe that these products enhance the value we provide to our customers and result in increased customer loyalty by
providing more convenient ordering and reporting of diagnostic information services, greater convenience in electronically
prescribing medication and better access to clinical information.
We are a leader in providing patients with tools to manage their healthcare and medical information. Our automated
patient appointment scheduling enables patients to schedule appointments, including via mobile devices, at times that are