Partnership Engages Healthcare Product Manufacturers in Efforts to Improve Patient Safety

CHICAGO – July 31, 2003 – The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) announced today that six leading healthcare products and services companies have joined its Corporate Councils and Roundtables (CCR) program to develop innovative, attainable, and practical patient safety solutions. The CCR program provides a forum for these industry leaders to work alongside NPSF Board members, healthcare providers, and hospital executives to reduce medical errors.

The inaugural Corporate Council includes 3M Company, ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc., Battelle, Cardinal Health, Inc., Philips, and Precision Dynamics Corporation.

The CCR program offers many opportunities for participating companies to work with NPSF to improve the safety of patients. Corporate Council members are developing safety demonstration projects with the hospitals and health systems in NPSF’s Stand Up for Patient Safety membership program. These demonstration projects will create a dialogue between Corporate Council members and the provider community, allowing them to work collaboratively on patient safety solutions. The projects will also further the business case for patient safety by demonstrating the cost savings associated with fewer medical errors.

In addition, the CCR program serves as a vehicle for interaction between Council members and the NPSF Board. Corporate Council members may access NPSF’s Speakers Bureau, leveraging the expertise of NPSF’s Board. Council members may also participate in the Speakers Bureau, providing patient safety knowledge specific to their industry segments. Finally, the NPSF Board will turn to its Corporate Council members for guidance and advice on emerging patient safety topics. By pooling their resources and expertise, the NPSF Board and Corporate Council members can engage in joint problem-solving activities to advance the cause and culture of patient safety.

“Beyond hospitals and doctors, the challenge of establishing a culture of patient safety extends to healthcare businesses and executives,” said Robert Krawisz, Executive Director for NPSF. “The CCR program allows NPSF to draw on the expertise, knowledge, and experience of more healthcare leaders who share our dedication to improving patient safety.”

About the National Patient Safety Foundation
The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to improving the safety of patients. Founded in 1996 by the American Medical Association, CNA HealthPro, and 3M, with significant support from the Schering-Plough Corporation, NPSF is an independent organization focused on research and education, committed to making patient safety a national priority. This Foundation is an unprecedented partnership of healthcare practitioners and institutions, patients and their advocates, health product providers and manufacturers, researchers, educators, insurers, regulators, legal advisors, and policymakers who are committed to making health care safer for everyone. For more information, visit www.npsf.org.

About ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc.
ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc. (AMEX:AMI), develops practical solutions for medication safety. The company designs, manufactures, and markets intravenous, medication delivery, and infusion therapy devices, needle-free disposables, and related monitoring equipment. ALARIS Medical Systems’ “smart” technology, tools, and services help to reduce the risks and costs of medication errors and safeguard patients and clinicians. For more information, visit www.alarismed.com.

About Battelle
Battelle develops new technologies, commercializes products, and provides solutions for industry and government. Innovations range from medical products and pharmaceuticals to products for the agrochemical industries. Battelle develops environmental and energy solutions for industry and government and creates practical, technological solutions for national security, transportation, and health and human services. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

About Cardinal Health, Inc.
Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH), is the leading provider of products and services supporting the healthcare industry. Cardinal Health companies develop, manufacture, package, and market products for patient care; develop drug-delivery technologies; distribute pharmaceuticals, medical-surgical, and laboratory supplies; and offer consulting and other services that improve quality and efficiency in health care. For more information, visit www.cardinal.com.

About Philips
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG) is one of the world’s largest electronics companies. Its medical division is a global leader in the growing medical device industry, committed to delivering solutions with unique clinical benefits that meet healthcare’s challenges today and in the future. Its extensive portfolio includes X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, PET, radiation oncology systems, patient monitoring, information management, and resuscitation products, as well as a complete range of services, including asset management, training and education, business consultancy, financial services, and e-care business services. For more information, visit www.medical.philips.com.

About Precision Dynamics Corporation
Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC) is the global leader in Positive Patient Identification. The company’s bar code and radio frequency identification wristbands help streamline processes, reduce labor costs, save time, and minimize medical errors. PDC works with medical device manufacturers to integrate its technology into their products. For more information, visit www.pdcorp.com.