Ice machine use in hospitals

Kitiger, RN · Jul 21, 2016

I don't see the problem with filling new bags directly from the machine.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

Why not find that specific hospital's policy? I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense to ask about other hospitals' policies... And if there is no specific hospital, just refer the student to follow policy when there is one. In the classroom, you get to decide (assuming you're the instructor).

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

I'm looking for hospital policies about the use of ice machines. In particular, filling new or refilling ice bags used on patients. I told a student that ice bags should not be filled from the ice machines directly. New, and especially, used ice bags. She argue, adamantly, that new can be filled directly from the ice machine. I looking for something to say it's safer to fill them from a separate container.

The only policy that matters, is YOUR facility's policy. You have a STUDENT that adamantly argues with YOU?

olcroner · Jul 21, 2016

I don't agree. Soon patient's family members see you fill a new one and they filling used ones.

olcroner · Jul 21, 2016

I am the instructor. So it's just because I say so.

olcroner · Jul 21, 2016

Do you suggest flogging them into submission or trying to educated them to do the right thing?

mrsboots87 · Jul 21, 2016

While instructors control the grade of the student, they do not control facility policy. If the hospital the clinical was at does not have a policy against using the ice machines to fill ice packs, then the student was fine to be using. She likely asked the precepting nurse where to fill it for her patient.

I dont int understand your logic on use of the ice machine for this. Because a patient or family of a patient may see it happen and use it to refill a "dirty" ice bag. What about all the cups they bring out of rooms to refill? What about their possibly unwashed hands in general? Ice is not going to be sterile and honestly, a machine left in a "public" gulley or nutrition room cannot be verified as clean and Uncontaminated. Using the machine to fill an ice bag, will not promote "dirty" use of the ice machine and it is very inappropriate to push your personal beliefs on this issue over hospital policy. However, if hospital policy is to not use the machines for directly filling ice bags, then you would be in the right for correcting the student.

pixierose, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

I suggest a good flogging. Obviously. That's how *I* learn best and remember my good manners!

Seriously, OP ... as a nursing student myself, refer the student to the policy, explain the why, end of story. End of debate.

mrsboots87 · Jul 21, 2016

I am the instructor. So it's just because I say so.

I find this to be poor teaching. Unless I am just misunderstanding your statement. You would be better suited using policy and rationale. Not just a "because I said so" attitude. Students should be thought to always ask or why not they are or are not doing something. Blindly following orders can lead to poor outcomes. A bet the student wouldn't be so argumentative if a valid rationale was given for not using it and hospital policy was used to back that rationale up.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

Not sure I understand OP's rationale that adding another step/container into the process is better. How could that possibly be cleaner/better than direct entry into the ice bag?

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

I'm looking for hospital policies about the use of ice machines. In particular, filling new or refilling ice bags used on patients. I told a student that ice bags should not be filled from the ice machines directly. New, and especially, used ice bags. She argue, adamantly, that new can be filled directly from the ice machine. I looking for something to say it's safer to fill them from a separate container.

If you hit the "quote" button in the right, bottom corner of the post you're responding to, the rest of us will know who you're responding to.