ALARIS Medical Systems Introduces Wireless Connectivity for Its Smart IV Medication Safety System

Business Wire, June 14, 2004

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 2004

ALARIS(R) Network and Enterprise Applications Provide Real-Time

Communication to All Points of Care in the Hospital to Help Improve

Medication Safety

ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: AMI), developer of products for the safe delivery of intravenous (IV) medications, announced today the full market release of wireless connectivity applications for the company's Medley(TM) Medication Safety System. The ALARIS(R) Network and enterprise applications for the smart IV medication safety system have been operational in three beta sites for the last four months: Adventist Medical Center in Portland, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Sharp HealthCare of San Diego.

ALARIS Medical Systems now provides a new level of medication safety by wirelessly (radio frequency) linking its point-of-care infusion delivery platform with the hospital's information network to create a real-time systems management for its Medley(TM) System with the Guardrails(R) Safety Software. The ALARIS(R) Network eliminates the need to manually transfer information to and from individual Medley(TM) Systems. Instead, data is automatically transmitted between each Medley(TM) System and the central server using the hospital's wireless infrastructure.

"With the wireless applications for the Medley(TM) System, now we can tap into the data whenever we choose, without worrying about logistics," said Stephen Smith, Chief Technology Officer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "These new IV medication safety systems from ALARIS Medical Systems mark a new era of greater intelligence at the bedside, streamlining the clinicians' activities so that they can focus on patient care rather than administration," Smith added.

On June 4, 2004, ALARIS Medical Systems announced the full market release of the most robust continuous quality improvement (CQI) database and graphics software ever developed for IV delivery systems. These features were integrated with the Company's proprietary Guardrails(R) Safety Software and amplify the benefits of the wireless networking capability now available with the Medley(TM) System.

Experts estimate that 61% of the most serious and life-threatening potential adverse drug events (ADEs) are IV drug related.(1)

Recent analysis of data collected from eighteen hospitals that use the Medley(TM) System, equipped with the Guardrails(R) CQI Software, indicates that a potentially life-threatening IV error was averted every 2.6 days at the average 350-bed hospital.(2)

The ALARIS Medical Systems proprietary Guardrails(R) Safety Software has over 240 million hours of patient use and has been shown to help reduce medication errors. The introduction of the wireless connectivity for the Medley(TM) System means that this information can now be gathered automatically, without the need to "touch" each device, therefore accelerating IV medication safety.

"The ability to transfer information to and from the IV medication safety systems wirelessly enables quick and easy data collection," said Bill Spooner, Chief Information Officer at Sharp HealthCare of San Diego. "The ALARIS(R) IV medication safety systems were implemented and started impacting medication safety in a short period of time. While other initiatives are valuable, they will require changes in infrastructure, training and workflow," he added.

"The wireless capability of the Medley(TM) System provides decision support at the bedside and throughout the institution," said Jake St. Philip, vice president and general manager of ALARIS Medical Systems' North American Business Unit. "Gathering real-time information increases process efficiency and productivity and creates a more dynamic and frequent communication between caregivers to assure the best quality of patient care and safety."

The foundation provided by the wireless network allows hospitals to leverage their investment in the Medley(TM) System, as well as their existing wireless infrastructure, and provides a platform for future ALARIS(R) Medication Safety System applications.

About ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc.

ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: AMI) develops and markets products for the safe delivery of intravenous (IV) medications. The Company's IV medication and infusion therapy delivery systems, software applications, needle-free disposables and related monitoring equipment are marketed in the United States and internationally. ALARIS Medical Systems' "smart" pumps, with the proprietary Guardrails(R) Safety Software, help to reduce the risks and costs of medication errors, help to safeguard patients and clinicians and gather and record clinical information for review, analysis and interpretation. The Company provides its products, professional and technical support and training services to over 5,000 hospital and health care systems, as well as alternative care sites, in more than 120 countries through its direct sales force and distributors. Headquartered in San Diego, California, ALARIS Medical Systems employs approximately 3,000 people worldwide. Additional information on ALARIS Medical Systems can be found at http://www.alarismed.com.