Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, and Houston Healthcare are teaming up to enhance the quality and value of diagnostic services to patients and their doctors through a new partnership agreement under which Quest will provide full laboratory management services for Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital.

 "We are pleased to partner with Houston Healthcare, a premier healthcare system in central Georgia," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, President and CEO, Quest Diagnostics. "In today's pressurized health care environment, health systems like Houston Healthcare are turning to Quest for help executing in their lab strategy. Each relationship begins and ends with how can we help, so they can focus on what they do best, providing quality care to their patients."

Under the agreement Quest will provide management expertise, laboratory equipment, supplies and procurement processes for both hospitals, in addition to providing reference testing for both hospitals.

"We are pleased to partner with Quest Diagnostics to benefit from their innovative technologies, scale, and commitment to quality," said Charles Briscoe, Chief Operating Officer and Acting CEO of Houston Healthcare. "With the ongoing challenges and opportunities in healthcare, this new relationship allows us to remain focused on improving patient care and outcomes, while teaming up with a leader in the field who has access to the most sophisticated diagnostic equipment available."