Hospital, Laboratory and Physiotherapy

In the Medical sector, Scotsman ice machines are a familiar sight in hospitals, first-aid facilities, laboratories, health and sport centres, beauty centres and beauty parlours.

For all ice applications, Scotsman is able to offer a specific ice shape for each precise requirement: ice cubes, ice flakes and scale ice, with capacities ranging from 10 kg up to 24 tonnes plus in 24 hours.

Hospital

Scotsman recommends that Infection Control Professionals and Hospital Estate Managers regularly review their ice production protocol as a matter of routine. Ice can be offered as an alternative to water to patients as well as being used for some surgical procedures. Iced water, cubed and nugget ice are a highly popular, convenient, low cost source of relief to patients in many general and specialist wards but some older mechanical ice machines can harbour harmful bacteria and can offer the potential for infection during the production and dispensing of ice.

Scotsman Hands-Free icemakers effectively remove a major potential source of the spread of infection and disease. There are two main areas that offer the potential for contamination of ice cubes, the first is the water supply which should be clean and of drinking water quality and the other is the storage and handling of ice whilst being dispensed or collected.  In conjunction with other preventative methods, such as, personal hygiene and routine machine cleaning, the Scotsman system of ‘hands-free’ dispensing is regarded as the optimal method to prevent cross contamination by infection control professionals.

The Scotsman hands-free range of machines, supported by good user hygiene offers the best solution to minimising cross infections. Scotsman machines produce very hard, clear hygienic ice at very cold temperatures of –25°C and as they only supply ice on demand the ‘first-in, first-out’ principle applies, ensuring that cubes are as fresh as possible.  The Scotsman range of hands-free machines identify the presence of a user when a container is placed in the dispensing area using an infrared ‘magic eye’ system, dispensing cubes automatically. The range consists of two tabletop models, the MDT 5N 25 and TC180 supported by a small footprint, floor standing, vertical model the CD 40 ‘Ice-Station.

For theatre use where the ‘no-touch’ technique, to ensure that hands even though they have been washed do not contaminate sterile equipment or the patient, is critical the Scotsman MDT 5N 25 & CD 40 Ice and water dispensers are recommend. These machines are ideal for procedures where ice is required to regulate the temperature of fluids in intravenous tubing. The tubing can be run through a container of ice to keep it cool. In many operating theatres ice is also essential for organ preservation prior to transplant.

The Scotsman MDT ice dispensers ensure a steady supply of ice, easily accessed by health personnel without the risk of cross contamination. The machines can be sited in the main operating theatre so that fresh ice is available on demand. Both models produce up to 237kg in a 24-hour period with storage capacities of 12kg and 18kg respectively and operate from a 16amp electrical supply.

For ward level usethe Scotsman TC-180 is especially suitable. It is an ultra-hygienic ice and water dispenser tabletop model with stylish looks and compact size. It has easy-clean rounded corners, a removable dispensing chute for sanitising and electronic controls delivering ultra-reliable performance. The unit produces up to 140kg of ice every 24 hours.

For general areasthe Scotsman CD40 Ice Station also utilises hygienically hands-free operation. The CD40 is free standing and makes ‘supercube’ ice in 20gm cubes, producing up to 39kg per day. The system has a small footprint and simple lines making it ideal for use in public areas such as corridors, halls and waiting areas.

Better hygiene in the healthcare setting is obviously the best solution to HCAIs and hygiene practices have improved enormously in recent years, but standards of cleanliness vary within and between hospitals and many clinicians and patients remain concerned. The installation of a Scotsman hands-free ice-making system is a sure way of improving hygiene standards and reducing the incidence of HCAIs further.

Laboratory

The popular Scotsman range of ice makers offers providers of Laboratory Services to a comprehensive range of equipment manufactured to standards approved and accredited by Europe’s leading regulatory bodies including the UK’s WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval.

Scotsman flake ice-makers are offered in 15 different specifications with daily outputs of between 64 Kg and 4.5 Tonnes with both self-contained insulated bins and modular delivery, storage and cart systems. Scotsman machines are well known for their high quality levels of manufacture using predominantly Grade 304 Stainless steel which ensures not only a long life but preserves the integrity of flake ice production by minimising chances of contamination from the structure of the machine. Approval by WRAS in the UK, NSF in the USA, IMO in Europe and CSA worldwide endorses Scotsman’s commitment to quality and performance”.

This level of worldwide certification and approval is critical to those working within laboratory testing where any incidence of cross contamination can have serious consequences for the item undergoing test or development. Scotsman flake ice because of its inherent structure, it is extruded at just below zero degrees, is ideal for laboratory use. The ice is slow melting and easily moulded so it can be packed around flasks, containers or liquid lines, it is extremely dry and is available in two levels of moisture content. In turn the choice of either self-contained units which can sit under laboratory benches or high volume modular production units that can be sited remotely make the Scotsman range a highly popular choice with food technologists, microbiologists and laboratory professionals, worldwide.

Physiotherapy

Packing ice around strains, sprains, bruises and ligament injuries is a standard technique in sports medicine known as ‘Cryotherapy’.

Using an ice pack for up to 10 minutes-at-a-time an injured athlete can benefit from the chilling effect immediately after an injury, removing the ice for about 30 minutes, and subsequently reapplying it for another 10 minutes. This cycle of ice application assists athletes in responding quickly and effectively to injury.

Iced water baths are also an effective method of rejuvenation aiding faster recovery and reducing muscle pain and soreness after intense training sessions or competitions.

Flake ice is ice in its most natural shape and is preferred by many physiotherapists and sports clinicians. The Scotsman system is also favoured as it extrudes the ice at a temperature just below zero degrees creating a flaked ice that is highly malleable, easy to apply and, which can be shaped to match the injured area.