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Nugget and compressed nugget ice is the ice of choice for on-floor
patient care. Unlike cube ice, nugget and compressed nugget ice
is chewable without chipping or cracking teeth and is less likely
to cause choking. It is also used in rehabilitation ice baths and
bags because it conforms well to the body and does not melt as rapidly
as flake ice.
Nugget and compressed nugget machines are also valued in hospitals
and nursing homes because of their quiet operation. This is because,
unlike cubers, they have no sudden release of ice off the evaporator
plate.
Ice and water dispensers
JCAHO requires the use of sanitary, self-contained ice and water
dispensers for on-floor patient care. These dispensers combine the
production of nugget or compressed nugget ice with the dispensing
of that ice and water. Models storing as little as 9 lbs up to 100
lbs of ice are generally available, with most using an integral
or remote ice maker to produce between 200 and 700 lbs of ice a
day. Most have separate chutes for water and ice. Most models are
available with either air-
or water-cooled ice production. Some models are available with
a remote ice maker that can be located up to 20 feet from the dispenser.
Ice and water dispensers provide a high level of sanitation since
no one touches the ice as it is produced and dispensed.
Configurations
Most manufacturers offer more than one model configuration in a
particular capacity to meet the varied needs within a facility.
Configurations include:
- Countertop
- Wall mount
- Freestanding or floor model
- Undercounter
Click
here to see examples of ice and water dispensers.
New features
- Infrared dispensing - Available in many models, infrared dispensing
can reduce the risk of cross-contamination because it eliminates
contact between the container and dispenser. Instead, an infrared
sensor “sees” the presence or absence of a container
below the chute and uses this information to automatically start
and stop dispensing. It is important for healthcare applications
and should also be considered for applications where refills using
the same cup will be common, such as in lounges.
Sizing ice and water dispensers
There are some general rules of thumb for determining what size
dispenser is required. Ice required for each serving will equal
the size of the average cup or container in oz x .40. Therefore,
someone filling a 32 oz carafe would, on average, use about 13 oz
of ice. Add a 20% “safety factor” to this number to
accommodate changed usage patterns or growth.
Click here to see our ice and
water dispenser sizing recommendations for on-floor patient ice.
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