In 1987, hospitals were experiencing escalating insurance costs and employment actions. Hospitals, as employers, needed complete, accurate and timely work history information yet the reference information was not forthcoming. Dates and Title were the only verifications being given. We had to do better.

Initially, several DFW hospitals, representing 55 percent full-time equivalent of employees, agreed to provide the critical volume necessary to make the initiative a reality. Dr. Ron Anderson, Parkland Hospital Chief Executive Officer, said at the time, "We need to make this work. Our patients depend upon us to have the right employees caring for them."

In June, 1988, Trustees voted for the development of a database employment reporting service to reduce risk and assist in the appropriate placement of employees. Exactly one year later, 25 hospitals agreed to become charter clients, and a modem operation transmitted data between clients and our database.

Today, GroupOne has grown to over 350 healthcare-exclusive employers in several states. Information is communicated through the internet, and employers have instant access to meaningful data.