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Blister Packaging Yields Patient, Healthcare Benefits: Part I

Holyoke Health Center transitions to blister cards for multimed, personalized patient packaging.

A view of the inside of a medication blister card used by Holyoke Health Center.
A view of the inside of a medication blister card used by Holyoke Health Center.

When patients testify that packaging may well save their lives, you know you’re on the right track.

That’s precisely how the Holyoke Health Center (HHC) sees its ongoing switch from traditional medication vials to SureMed® multi-medicine blister cards from Omnicell Inc.

HHC is a federally qualified, non-profit community health center in Holyoke, MA, with a second site in nearby Chicopee, with dental clinics at each location in addition to facilities as well in Westfield.

Challenges in healthcare

Lori Lewicki, RPh, and HHC Pharmacy Director, explains that the facility serves a mix of patients with challenges that range from high health illiteracy, language issues (many patients do not speak English), as well as physical challenges due to age or chronic disease. Many patients take double-digit numbers of medications, often more than once a day, further complicating their ability to comply with critical medication regimens.

And while the concept of multiple medications in calendared blister packs may be initially confusing, the ultimate result is better patient outcomes as well as financial benefits for HHC and the state’s overall healthcare system.

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