From high-risk patients to healthcare workers, anyone who spends time in a healthcare setting faces a surprisingly high risk of acquiring an infection or illness. Whether it’s through direct contact with an infected person, or an improperly packaged medical device, healthcare-associated infections affect thousands of people across the United States every year. This is why packaging medical devices correctly is a vital part of infection management, and we’ll be discussing the true extent of its role in ensuring patient and worker safety – read on to find out more. 

The Importance of Plastic Medical Packages 

Plastic medical packages have played a crucial role in ensuring the safe delivery and storage of medical products for decades, so it’s important that medical device packages are designed to maintain product integrity and prevent contamination, as they are a critical component of the healthcare industry, where patient safety is paramount. Organizations like Sterile Aware and business’s like Van der Stahl Scientific strive to continuously improve their offering of sterile packaging systems, and revolutionary organizations like Van der Stähl Scientific are making brilliant ground on medical device pouch testing through their Internal ISO 17025 empirical testing laboratory and testing systems that they have codeveloped with an aim of managing  infection risks connected to failed packaging. 

What Are the Benefits of Plastic Medical Packaging?

Plastic medical device packaging offers organizations a huge number of benefits that make it the preferred choice for the healthcare industry when compared to alternative options, including: 

  • Protection against contamination: Plastic packaging provides a highly effective barrier against bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that can cause infections. For organizations like hospitals that face a high risk of healthcare-acquired infections, plastic can therefore make a big difference – from reduced infection spread to lower fatality rates, this choice is one that can truly change lives.
  • Durability: Medical plastic packaging can be carefully designed to withstand the rigors of transportation and storage, ensuring that the product remains intact and undamaged.
  • Versatility: Unlike other traditional packaging materials, plastic can be customized to meet the specific needs of the product it contains, accounting for factors like light or temperature sensitivity. For healthcare organizations who use unique devices and equipment, this versatility becomes incredibly significant.  
  • Cost-effectiveness: Medical plastic packaging is also relatively inexpensive, making it an affordable option for businesses operating in the healthcare sector. 

What Are The Different Types Of Plastic Medical Packages?

Depending on the specific needs of healthcare organizations, there are a range of plastic medical packages that businesses can choose from, such as: 

  • Blister packaging: Consisting of a plastic base and a clear plastic cover, blister packaging is commonly used for tablets and capsules.
  • Thermoformed trays: These trays are made from a single piece of plastic and are designed to hold multiple products, boosting efficiency without compromising safety. 
  • Pouches and bags: Pouches and bags are typically used for medical devices and equipment, and can be made from various types of plastic, like polyethylene and polypropylene.
  • Sterile packaging: For products that require a sterile environment, such as surgical instruments and implants, sterile packaging options from businesses like Sterile Aware are leading the way. 

So, What’s The Role of Plastic Medical Packages In Ensuring Safety?

Plastic medical packages play a critical role in ensuring the safety of medical products – not only do they provide a barrier against contamination and protect against physical damage, but they also maintain the stability of the product during transportation and storage. Moreover, they can also help to extend the shelf life of the product by providing a controlled environment that reduces the risk of degradation. 

In addition to ensuring product safety, plastic medical packages also help to prevent medication errors. By providing clear labeling and packaging that is easy to open and use, medical plastic packages reduce the risk of patients receiving the wrong medication or dose. These vital elements are tracked carefully in Van der Stähl Scientific’s testing processes, which ensure that when packaging medical devices, businesses follow strict and effective procedures that maintain the integrity of their products and promote the safety of all patients and hospital employees. 

The Key Considerations Needed for Plastic Medical Packaging 

When businesses are designing plastic medical packaging, several key considerations must be taken into account, including material selection, product protection, any environmental impact and how easy packaging is to open and use. These considerations ensure that the packaging is compatible with the product it contains and does not cause any adverse reactions.

A Bright Future for Plastic Medical Packaging?

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and so too is the technology and design of packaging medical devices. In the future, we can expect to see further advancements in the field, including the development of smart packaging that can monitor product integrity, as well as the use of biodegradable plastics that are environmentally sustainable.

Plus, there is an ever-increasing focus on using plastic medical packaging to improve patient outcomes – for example, some packaging designs are being developed to help patients manage their medication more effectively, like blister packs that include a calendar or reminder system.

Ultimately, plastic medical packages will always play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products – they protect against contamination, physical damage, and medication errors. So, it’s no surprise that when packaging medical devices, the top organizations in the field turn to stringent testing processes like those offered by Van der Stähl Scientific.