NEW EVENT! Cutting-edge Trends for Life Sciences at PACK EXPO Southeast
Discover all the latest packaging solutions for life sciences products at the all-new PACK EXPO Southeast in Atlanta, GA, March 10-12, 2025

4 Ways to Impress Nurses (and a Few Ways Not To)

Live from HealthPack 2018, the nurses' panel explored the ways that stickers, pouches, trays and cartons help or hurt aseptic presentation and daily operations in healthcare.

The nurses’ panel at HealthPack 2018 in Kansas City, MO, offered a look into the challenges (and opportunities!) that nurses encounter when opening packaging for aseptic presentation.
The nurses’ panel at HealthPack 2018 in Kansas City, MO, offered a look into the challenges (and opportunities!) that nurses encounter when opening packaging for aseptic presentation.

The ever-popular nurses’ panel at HealthPack 2018 in Kansas City, MO, offered a look into the challenges (and opportunities!) that nurses encounter when opening packaging for aseptic presentation.

The four panelists, who work in various clinical areas, gave feedback while opening medical packaging supplied by a number of manufacturers. After, they sat down for a lengthy Q&A session to talk to audiences about what packaging features they appreciate and where there’s still room for improvement.

It goes without saying that easy-to-open packaging was top of mind for the nurses. This can be subjective depending on the nurse, the field of expertise and other attributes, but the nurses offered their blunt (and often hilarious) takes.

The good

Peel-off labels (“stickers”) for implantable devices—intended for charts and patient cards—were popular. One cath lab nurse exclaimed, “Thank you, I’d like to see four!” Another asked for six, as one or two usually tear and her paper-based system needs them for log books, patient charts and more. They preferred them to be placed on the inner package as opposed to the outer foil cover, because in life-or-death situations, the outer foil is automatically thrown to the side.

Additionally, if the manufacturer provides a card for the patient to carry with the device’s traceability info, they should ensure it is right-sized for the sticker. One nurse pointed out that the sticker can be bigger than the card, leading them to wrap it around the card, which is clunky for an item that’s meant to be carried around 24/7.

Hand grips were also mentioned as a helpful feature, particularly for large packages that are held by one extended arm while the other peels the lid off. One of the packages in the demo had small bumps for easier grip where it was supposed to be held, which helped in maintaining control.

INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for Life Sciences at PACK EXPO Southeast
The exciting new PACK EXPO Southeast 2025 unites all vertical markets in one dynamic hub, generating more innovative answers to packaging challenges for life sciences products. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity for your business!
REGISTER FOR $30!
INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for Life Sciences at PACK EXPO Southeast