Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston Implements ALARIS Medical Systems' ``Smart'' Infusion System.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2003

The Medley(TM) Medication Safety System is the Latest Addition to

the Hospital's Arsenal of Technologies to Help Guard against Most

Serious Medication Delivery Errors

ALARIS Medical Systems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ALARIS Medical Inc. (AMEX:AMI), and Brigham and Women's Hospital of Boston, a recognized leader in patient safety, announced today the hospital's enterprise-wide implementation of the Medley(TM) Medication Safety System, with its proprietary Guardrails(R) Safety Software suite of applications.

This "smart" technology helps prevent serious intravenous (IV) medication errors by providing an automatic safety net in delivering high-risk intravenous drugs at the point of care.

"Inpatient medication errors continue to be an important problem at hospitals across the country," said Dr. David Bates, medical director of clinical and quality analysis at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We are delighted to have the help of these 'smart pumps' at our institution, especially since they improve safety at the administration stage of the process."

A 1995 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) by Bates and others found that administration errors account for 38% of errors, yet only 2% of these errors are intercepted, compared with about half of ordering errors. In another study, 61% of the most serious and life-threatening potential adverse drug events (ADEs) were IV drug related(1).

The Medley(TM) System acts as a computer at the point of care that performs a "test of reasonableness." Its Guardrails(R) Safety Software examines the type and amount of medication programmed into the "smart" IV system before allowing infusion to begin. The system alerts the clinician if a programmed dose is outside pre-established limits, helping to prevent a wrong dose from being infused. This system was engineered according to Human Factors Design principles to ensure that the system is easy for clinicians to use and can work in various departments throughout a hospital.

Brigham and Women's Hospital was among the first hospitals in the country to use computers to help prevent medication errors. It began computerizing its physician orders system in 1993 and extended this capability to its outpatient clinics and centers in July 2000.

"We are very pleased that Brigham and Women's Hospital, with its reputation as a real pioneer in patient safety, has chosen to integrate our 'smart' technology into its existing system," said Jake St. Philip, vice president and general manager of ALARIS Medical Systems' North American Business Unit. "The addition of our technology reflects Brigham and Women's continued commitment to providing the highest standard of patient safety and quality care."

"'Smart' infusion pumps are an important new way to help reduce medication error rates," Dr. Bates added. "They provide a 'safety net' for patients and nurses in situations in which they have not previously had one."

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recently reported, "With (computerized prescriber order entry), bar coding and 'smart' infusion pumps, we may finally have a solid defense against the most serious medication errors." (Medication Safety Alert, February 2002).

Part of the Partners HealthCare System, Brigham and Women's Hospital is a 725-bed hospital in Boston dedicated to serving the needs of the community and committed to providing the highest quality health care to patients and their families. Its vision is to take a leadership role in creating a premier, patient-focused, integrated health care delivery system while enhancing its tradition as a distinguished academic medical center.

About ALARIS Medical Inc.

ALARIS Medical Inc., through its wholly-owned operating company, ALARIS Medical Systems Inc., develops practical solutions for medication safety. The company designs, manufactures and markets intravenous (IV) medication delivery and infusion therapy devices, needle-free disposables and related monitoring equipment in the United States and internationally. ALARIS Medical's proprietary Guardrails(R) Safety Software, its other "smart" technologies and its "smart" services help to reduce the risks and costs of medication errors, help to safeguard patients and clinicians and also gather and record clinical information for review, analysis and transcription. 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. With headquarters in San Diego, ALARIS Medical employs approximately 2,900 people worldwide. Additional information on ALARIS Medical can be found at http://www.alarismed.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Persons reading this release are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including the effect of legislative and regulatory changes affecting the health care industry, the potential of increased levels of competition, technological changes, the dependence of ALARIS Medical upon the success of new products (including its proprietary Guardrails(R) Safety Software and the Medley(TM) Medication Safety System) and ongoing research and development efforts including obtaining regulatory approvals, restrictions contained in the instruments governing the company's indebtedness, and the significant leverage to which the company is subject. Such risk factors are detailed in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of ALARIS Medical Inc. and ALARIS Medical Systems Inc., including Forms 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2002, and other filings. The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

(1) Communication with DW Bates of Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, October 2001.