From Manual Bottlenecks to Streamlined Operations: How One Hospital Transformed Medication Packaging

In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, operational efficiency isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential for delivering quality patient care. For one community hospital in the Northeastern United States, the journey toward better hospital automation began with a simple realization: their medication packaging process was holding them back.

The Challenge: When Manual Processes Create a Bottleneck

This 113-bed healthcare organization serves its community with a range of services, including an ICU and dialysis center. Like many hospitals of its size, the hospital pharmacy team faced a daily challenge that consumed precious time and resources: medication repackaging.

This 113-bed healthcare organization serves its community with a range of services, including an ICU and dialysis center. Like many hospitals of its size, the hospital pharmacy team faced a daily challenge that consumed precious time and resources: medication repackaging.

The hospital relied entirely on manual repackaging methods—a process that created significant operational strain. Staff members often dedicated an entire day just to work through the repackaging list. The repetitive nature of the task increased the risk of human error, from mislabeled medications to inconsistent packaging. Every label required manual data entry, leaving room for typos and transcription mistakes that could compromise patient safety.

Beyond accuracy concerns, the process pulled skilled healthcare professionals away from higher-value clinical activities. Pharmacists and technicians who could have been reviewing drug interactions, counseling patients, or supporting care teams were instead tied up with tedious packaging tasks. The administrative burden strained already limited resources and made it difficult to keep pace with patient demand.

As the healthcare industry continued to evolve, hospital leadership recognized that manual processes simply couldn’t scale. They needed a solution that would free up staff time, eliminate labeling errors, and support their commitment to patient safety—without creating new headaches along the way.

The Search for a Better Solution

Finding the right replacement required careful evaluation. The hospital explored several options, each with distinct advantages and drawbacks.

Outsourcing was considered first, but it presented immediate concerns. The costs were higher, and more importantly, the hospital would lose control over the process. Supply constraints with third-party repackagers meant potential disruptions in medication management. References the hospital contacted had little positive feedback about these companies. Without a reliable backup plan, the hospital could find itself back to manual repackaging during shortages, erasing any efficiency gains.

Similar automation tools from other manufacturers were also evaluated. The hospital looked at machines comparable to their existing system but found the same limitations that had frustrated them before.

Network consultation proved to be the turning point. The hospital reached out to affiliated institutions to learn what systems they were using and whether they were satisfied. A larger academic medical center in their network had experience with Medical Packaging Inc., LLC (MPI), and feedback was positive. Users described MPI’s systems as more user-friendly and noted the company’s responsive customer service.

A local hospital with an active MPI machine offered to host a tour. Seeing the system in operation gave the team confidence. They were looking for something that wouldn’t require constant assistance to fix things. With their previous machine, even minor issues required a service call, and staff couldn’t troubleshoot or resolve problems independently. That dependency had created frustration and delays that affected hospital operations.

Why MPI Stood Out

Several factors made MPI the clear choice for this healthcare organization:

Security First. MPI was able to offer the security features the previous system lacked. In an industry where protecting patient information is non-negotiable, this was the deciding factor.

User-Friendly Interface. The system’s intuitive user interface meant healthcare professionals could learn and operate it with minimal difficulty. Library edits, reporting features, and day-to-day functions were accessible and straightforward, exactly what the team needed.

Customer Service Excellence. While the hospital couldn’t fully evaluate customer support before purchasing, conversations with other MPI users painted a compelling picture. Other hospitals spoke highly of MPI’s responsiveness, a notable difference from their previous vendor’s inadequate support. When problems arose, MPI addressed them immediately.

Accuracy Through Technology. The system’s GTIN and barcode scanning capabilities, coupled with First Data Bank integration, represented a significant upgrade for patient safety. By scanning manufacturer barcodes, the system automatically populates label information directly from the source. This eliminates the manual data entry that had previously led to labeling errors. Labels are now 100% accurate, reducing the risk of medication error and improving patient outcomes.

Customization and Flexibility. During installation, MPI’s representative worked closely with hospital staff to ensure labels contained exactly the information they needed. This wasn’t a one-size-fits-all implementation. The team went above and beyond to customize the system to the hospital’s specific requirements.

Implementation: Faster Than Expected

Staff training and installation were scheduled for two days. Despite a brief technical hiccup at the corporate level that took a couple of hours to resolve, the overall process moved quickly. Small groups of healthcare professionals received hands-on training, and the seamless integration into existing workflows exceeded expectations.

The transition didn’t disrupt patient care or create the extended learning curve the team had anticipated. Staff found the system user-friendly and easy to adopt.

Regulatory Compliance and Patient Safety

The hospital was already meeting regulatory requirements before the switch, but MPI’s system added capabilities that prepared them for future changes. Additional label fields provide flexibility to adapt as compliance standards evolve. The automated data collection from manufacturer barcodes ensures accuracy that manual processes simply cannot match.

For healthcare providers focused on clinical practice, knowing that medication management meets and exceeds regulatory standards provides peace of mind. The system supports the hospital’s commitment to patient safety without creating additional administrative tasks for care teams.

The Results: Time Saved, Care Improved

The impact of switching to MPI’s automated system has been substantial. By automating what was once a day-long manual process, the hospital has reclaimed 400 to 600 hours annually. That time translates directly into labor costs savings and allows health professionals to redirect their energy toward patient care.

Medication labeling accuracy has improved dramatically. The workflow automation that MPI provides has reduced the risk of errors that could compromise patient safety. Staff no longer worry about incorrect information appearing on labels because the system handles data with precision.

Operational efficiency across the hospital pharmacy has improved, supporting better patient flow and more effective medication management throughout the facility.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

Perhaps most valuable is the confidence the hospital now has in their technology partner. MPI provides regular updates, addressing security concerns and technological innovation proactively. The hospital no longer worries about being left with outdated, vulnerable systems.

The hospital won’t have to figure out and address future changes on their own. With MPI as a partner, they can focus their energy where it belongs: taking care of their patients.