BLUE HILL – In the last of a series of votes, two boards gave final approval Wednesday for Blue Hill Memorial Hospital to become an affiliate of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

The hospital foundation board voted unanimously to change its bylaws relinquishing its role as the parent entity for the hospital. The hospital board also voted unanimously to approve the affiliation agreement with EMHS.

“On Monday, Oct. 3, we will be a member hospital of EMHS,” said Lynn Boulger, the hospital’s director of development and community relations.

The EMHS board had voted earlier this month to approve the agreement, which already has received state and federal approval.

The decision strengthens a bond between the two health care institutions that has existed for a long time, according to Boulger. Blue Hill Memorial Hospital has referred patients to Eastern Maine Medical Center for almost as long as it has existed, and it has been a strategic affiliate of EMHS since 1997.

The decision Tuesday comes after almost a year and a half of formal discussions and a series of board votes to pave the way for the final vote. A stronger affiliation was a key element of a three-year strategic plan adopted by Blue Hill Memorial Hospital in 2004.

Blue Hill hospital officials have indicated that economies of scale made possible by the affiliation will benefit the local hospital in a number of areas, including supplies and health insurance. An integrated information system and the ability to confer with colleagues at other member hospitals will help to improve clinical quality and hospital services, Boulger said.

“There are so many resources to tap and so many ways for us to share information and find best practices,” she said. “That’s so important for a small remote place like us.”

Although Blue Hill Memorial will change its logo to include “EMHS affiliate,” patients will notice little immediate change as a result of the affiliation.