Case Studies: Special Projects

Hospital ice machines, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Client: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Background: One of the nation's leading academic medical centers, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital provides state-of-the-art care across the full range of health care services. The hospital has earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital was ranked number 26 in the nation for heart care according to U.S.News & World Report's 2007 ranking of "America's Best Hospitals." The hospital has won numerous additional accolades and is rated among the nation's best comprehensive cancer centers. RWJUH is the principal teaching hospital of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Challenge: To develop the documentation needed in order to comply with the Joint Commission's standards for the preventive maintenance of ice machines throughout the hospital complex.

Solution: Hawks & Company implemented a preventive maintenance program for bi-annual visits established by the ice machine manufacturer. The documentation included the tasking procedures such as sanitizing, cleaning each ice machine bin, and replacing water filters.

Results: By implementing this preventive maintenance procedure, the quality of the ice has improved and the number of ice machine service calls reduced. RWJUH maintains compliance with the Joint Commission for best preventive maintenance practices. In addition, Hawks' efforts contribute to overall patient satisfaction, risk mitigation, cost containment, regulatory compliance for this award-winning client.