Medical device and pharmaceutical packaging manufacturers have a lot to think about when they are creating products.
Sterilization, making sure all the required FDA requirements are met, validation.
But, what about the end user? How does it work for them? Does it really function well in a practical setting?
Those attending HealthPack got to hear first hand what does, and maybe more importantly, what does not, work when it comes to medical device packaging when a panel of end users, mostly nurses, were given a series of medical items and packages, and asked for feedback.
Arguably the most popular yearly session of the two-day event, the nurses were first hands on opening and playing with the packaging, followed by a panel discussion and questions.
One of the major points they made was the writing on the packaging needs to be easily readable, specifically the expiration date on items.
"It's frustrating if you cannot see it," said one of them. "It is nerveracking as a nurse, because you want to make sure it is not expired."
Another shared the same sentiment.
"Size and expiration date is important," she said. "Have a highlighted box area or a way for me to know where it is. If I don't know where it is, it is time consuming. If everything could be on the front and then just expiration date on the back, that would easy."
Another user suggested that when manufactures are designing the product, they take into consideration how it is stacked on a shelf, so they can easily see the expiration without having to remove it from the shelf.
In addition to the print size and expiration date location, another concern of the group was making sure the packaging is easy to open and hold on to so that the device doesn't fall out either when they open it and hand it to their tech.
To that point, they said they prefer a hard tray over a flexible package.
"I must be able to hold it my hand," said one of the nurses. "Sometimes underneath, the way it is molded to hold product there is no way to grasp it well. "
The result, another explained, is a "big worry" about dropping it when it is opened."
Expanding on that, the nurses debated the pros and cons of opening a package where you have to dump the items inside on a sterile place, or hold it open for their tech to reach in and take out.
"I never dump anything that's worth more than my paycheck," one of the nurses said, causing the crowd to get a good laugh.
And, although it was humorous, they elaborated that it is actually a pretty serious problem, especially since they don't want to take any chances with contamination the sterile product and risk any type of infection.
