ALARIS Medical Introduces Signature Edition GOLD Infusion System; Human Factors Design, Customer Input Combine to Offer Unique Clinical and Safety Features.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 1999--ALARIS Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:ALRS) Friday announced that it is launching the Signature Edition(r) GOLD infusion pump platform, a new large-volume single- and dual-channel infusion system intended for broad clinical applications.

Building on the human factors design of the original Signature Edition (SE) instrument, the system is intended to help clinicians provide more efficient and safer patient care. Among the pump's unique clinical and safety features are advanced infusion management (AIM), a comprehensive intravenous (IV) infusion monitoring and management system, and precision flow, designed to provide consistent flow continuity and resolution over time.

"The design process for the original Signature Edition infusion instrument began with the voice of the customer. Our engineers and clinicians used input from health-care professionals and pharmacists in 56 hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada to create design specifications for the classic SE instrument design," said Jake St. Philip, vice president and general manager, North America Strategic Business Unit, ALARIS Medical Systems.

"Regarding the design of the SE Gold pump, customers told us they wanted a balance of simple operating features with advanced delivery system capabilities," St. Philip said.

"As part of the design process for the SE Gold instrument, clinicians came onsite and worked side by side with ALARIS Medical Systems' engineers, nurses and pharmacists to help us better understand their programming requirements. With thousands of hours of behavioral testing performed on this product, we took nursing input to a new level and gained an even better understanding of our customers' needs."

Human factors design refers to the creation of a medical device with controls and displays engineered to reduce errors in operation while simplifying programming procedures. These factors include large symbols, good legibility with high-contrast displays, easy-to-operate controls and designs that are highly intuitive for the user.

In short, human factors engineering takes into consideration how humans interact with a product. Among the potential results from this design process are increased efficiency and productivity; minimum in-service training; enhanced safety; and increased user acceptance.

"We like to say the Signature Edition infusion series has the signature of our customers all over it because many of the instrument's innovations resulted from customer input, as well as human factors design principles," said Carole Bernauer, product manager, SE infusion therapy systems.

"Clinicians who've tested the SE Gold instrument give it high marks and are excited about the advanced infusion management and precision flow features."

The precision flow feature is designed to provide flow continuity and resolution over time. The company believes this ability to deliver a steady flow at very low rates makes the instrument well suited for the delivery of short half-life vasoactive and cardiac drugs, as well as pediatric and neonatal intensive care applications.

AIM, a comprehensive system for monitoring and managing IV infusions, is designed to provide the clinician with an on-screen display of the infusion status and history.

In addition to AIM and precision flow, the Signature Edition GOLD infusion system has a long list of unique features designed to enhance safety, including:

AccuSlide Free-Flow Protection -- a patented disposable system designed to clamp the tubing when the administration set is removed and automatically open it when the set is installed. This feature is intended to simplify loading and unloading of the administration set and to reduce the potential for free-flow accidents.

Battery Gauge Display -- a display that indicates remaining battery time and is intended to assist clinicians in making safer patient transport decisions.

Drug Rate Calculation with Drug Name Display -- internal software designed to eliminate bedside calculations, save time and reduce the potential for medication errors. It includes a comprehensive drug list with on-screen drug name display designed to simplify programming and enhance patient safety.

Automatic Trending -- a graphic display of pressure or resistance trends in 15-minute one-, four- or 12-hour intervals for quick assessment of IV site status.

The one-channel SE Gold instrument weighs about six pounds; the two-channel version weighs approximately eight pounds, making the instruments among the lightest single- or dual-channel infusion pumps available.

"We believe the Signature Edition GOLD system is an excellent addition to the SE instrument family," said William J. Mercer, ALARIS Medical Systems' president and CEO. "Our goal was to provide our customers with the features to match their clinical needs in a truly flexible package.

"We've now launched a product platform that we believe will be the gold standard for infusion therapy and that our customers have told us will help them deliver the economies of true standardization without compromise."

The Signature Edition Gold instruments are being launched in the North America Business Unit; the company plans to launch an international version during the second quarter of 1999.

ALARIS Medical Inc., through its operating company, ALARIS Medical Systems Inc., is known for its IMED(r) and IVAC(r) brand names of intravenous infusion therapy systems and Instromedix(r) cardiac event recorders and pacemaker follow-up systems. The company's principal line of business is the design, manufacture and marketing of intravenous infusion therapy products, patient monitoring instruments and related disposables.

The company's products are distributed to more than 120 countries worldwide. In addition to its San Diego world headquarters and manufacturing facility, the company also operates manufacturing facilities in Creedmoor, N.C.; Hillsboro, Ore.; Basingstoke, Hampshire, U.K.; and Tijuana, Mexico. Additional information on ALARIS Medical can be found at www.alarismed.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based largely upon the company's expectations for demand and acceptance of new and existing products, technologies and opportunities, regulatory approvals and market and industry segment growth. Actual results could vary materially from these expected results due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, changes in the market, competition, government regulation and foreign operations. Such risk factors are detailed in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of ALARIS Medical Inc. including Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 1997.