B. Braun Medical Statement In Support Of Health And Human Services Final Rule On Bar Code Use To Reduce Medical Errors; Government Rule Will Protect Patients and Reduce Health Costs.

Business Editors

BETHLEHEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2004

We applaud the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for moving quickly to require bar codes on the labels of thousands of prescription medications. This decision will support medical professionals in their efforts to protect the lives of their patients.

The rule, which will be driven by the department's Food and Drug Administration, requires the inclusion of linear bar codes - similar to the identifying lines quickly found on consumer packaged goods - on most prescription and over-the-counter products used in hospitals across the United States. Government experts expect that implementing this system will reduce medication error rates as much as 85 percent.

The risks outlined by HSS are real. According to a 2001 report from the Agency for Health Research and Quality adverse drug events result in more than 700,000 injuries and deaths each year and cost up to $5.6 million per hospital. Additionally, patients who suffer unintended drug events remain in the hospital an average of eight-to-10 days longer than patients with no incidence.

B. Braun Medical recognizes that technology made easy can augment the efforts of the health system to provide safe, quality care. As a leader in hospital-based safety products, B. Braun developed the Outlook(TM) Safety Infusion System to create new standards in the management of infusion therapy through barcoding.

The Outlook Safety Infusion System is the only FDA cleared IV administration safety system that uses barcodes to guard against the primary causes of IV medication errors - administering the wrong drug to the patient and manual pump programming. Using barcodes, the Outlook Safety Infusion System automates the programming of infusion parameters to help ensure the "right" patient receives the "right" drug in the "right" dose. A second level of protection notifies health professionals if hospital defined dose limits are exceeded.

Health professionals are committed to providing life enhancing and saving care. Practical technologies - systems that support the goals of quality care - are to the benefit of clinician, patient, and payer.

Media seeking more information on medical error statistics, Outlook Safety Infusion System barcode technologies, and contact with hospital systems that have already implemented these guidelines are invited to contact B. Braun for assistance.

About B. Braun

Since its founding in 1839, B. Braun has built an unparalleled store of knowledge and expertise in delivering innovative healthcare products, medical devices and programs that enhance both patient and health-professional safety. Its 29,000 employees worldwide are proud of their commitment to translating customer needs into products with unmatched quality, superior technology, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility.

Through its "Sharing Expertise(TM)" initiative, B. Braun promotes best practices for continuous improvement of healthcare products and services. For more information about B. Braun or its safety healthcare products, call 800-854-6851, or visit B. Braun at www.bbraunusa.com.