PITTSFIELD -- Sebasticook Valley Hospital has received a $50,000 grant to bolster its management of medications and patient safety.

The grant is from the Maine Health Access Foundation, a health care organization that provides $5 million in grant and program funding each year.

Sebasticook Valley plans to use the grant for a Barcode Medication Administration Program. The automated system uses barcodes for packaging, storing, tracking, and distributing medications. The hospital also plans to add Hospira Mednet "Smart Pumps" technology for intravenous pumps, and a bedside medication verification system. 

The overall project is designed to improve patient safety, hospital officials said.