What are Joint Commission requirements for ice machines and dispensing ice for patients? Are ice machines that have ice bins and require a scoop compliant? Is providing tap water to patients for drinking acceptable or does it have to be filtered?
Joint Commission Requirements for Ice Machines
We are not aware of any written guidance on these questions from any regulator. In situations like this we always recommend that you perform a risk assessment weighing the pros and cons based on:
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- Published Literature
- Opinions of Local Experts (e.g., infection control, dietitian, etc)
This should help you arrive at the appropriate conclusion.
Steps to Avoid Ice Machine Contamination
To ensure you comply with Joint Commission requirements for ice machines, build in steps to avoid contamination. In addition, describe those steps in the risk assessment and make sure you follow them. For example, if you require the use of an ice scoop you must also include a step that specifies the scoop does not get placed back into the ice bin (because someone’s hand has touched the handle of the scoop and then those pathogens could transfer to the ice). There are similar considerations with tap water. If you have concerns about the water coming from the tap, part of your “steps to avoid contamination” in this case could well be a simple in-line filtration system or device.
Patton Healthcare Consulting
Patton Healthcare Consulting provides a complete range of Joint Commission and CMS Compliance Assistance and a full range of pre-survey and post survey services.
We serve more than 350 hospitals, behavioral health care organizations, ambulatory clinics and home care companies nationwide—hospitals ranging from critical access hospitals to the largest health systems. Contact us at (888) PHC-INC1 for more information.
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