Being in the hospital can be an unfamiliar and uncomfortable experience. One common thing patients may notice is being offered ice chips by hospital staff. So why exactly do hospitals provide ice chips to patients?
Purpose of Ice Chips
There are a few main reasons why hospitals give patients ice chips:
- Stay hydrated – Ice provides small amounts of water to keep patients hydrated, especially those who are having trouble drinking normal liquids.
- Soothe dry mouth – Ice can provide relief for a dry mouth, which is a common side effect of medications, oxygen therapy, and mouth breathing.
- Cooling – Sucking on ice chips causes a cooling sensation which can help lower body temperature or just provide comfort.
- Oral stimulation – The act of chewing ice chips provides sensory stimulation for the mouth which can be calming.
- Flavor – Ice has a mild cool flavor which can help freshen breath or mask unpleasant tastes.
For many hospital patients, ice chips offer a simple way to stay hydrated and comfortable when drinking normal fluids by mouth may be difficult for whatever reason. The nursing staff recognizes this need and ensures ice is available as a standard part of patient care.
Why Ice Chips Instead of Drinks
Hospitals typically provide ice chips rather than full drinks for several safety and convenience factors:
- Prevent choking/aspiration – Patients lying flat have increased risk of fluids going down the wrong pipe. Ice chips melt slowly to minimize choking risk.
- Manage fluid intake – Nursing staff can control the amount of fluid patients receive by monitoring how many ice chips are consumed.
- Accommodate dietary restrictions – Ice chips are very low calorie and avoid issues like fluid thickening needed for some patient diets.
- Easy to give – Ice chips can be spoon fed to patients having trouble holding or lifting cups to drink.
- Quickly available – Ice machines provide an unlimited supply throughout the hospital.
- Reduce spills – Small chips are less likely to spill compared to full liquids.
The controlled hydration and oral stimulation benefits of ice chips can be provided to more patients safely and easily compared to serving drinks.
Who Gets Ice Chips in the Hospital?
Almost any hospital patient may be offered ice chips as part of their care plan. Here are some of the most common situations where patients receive ice chips:
- After surgery – Patients are often kept NPO (nothing by mouth) after surgery until anesthetic side effects wear off to prevent aspiration. Small ice chips are usually given first to reintroduce oral intake.
- Labor and delivery – Ice chips are a go-to for hydration and comfort during labor when fluid intake may be restricted.
- With oxygen therapy – The drying effect of oxygen tubes can cause dry mouth. Ice helps moisten the mouth.
- With nausea/vomiting – Patients with these symptoms may tolerate ice chips better than liquids. The cold may also help soothe the stomach.
- With oral or throat pain – Ice can provide relief and hydration without needing to swallow full drinks.
- With loss of consciousness – Unconscious patients may reflexively swallow small ice chips.
- On thickened liquid diets – Ice allows hydration without affecting the thickness of drinks.
- With dementia or confusion – The familiar action of chewing ice chips can help calm agitated patients.
While nearly any hospital patient may get ice chips, they are especially utilized in the situations described above where standard liquid hydration is not ideal.
Should You Eat Hospital Ice Chips?
Ice chips given in the hospital are perfectly safe to consume. Here are a few facts about hospital ice chips:
- Hospitals follow food safety protocols to keep ice machines sanitary and free of bacteria.
- Nurses only use clean cups, spoon, or tongs to serve ice chips.
- The cold temperature of ice helps limit bacterial growth.
- Only small chips are served to minimize choking risks.
- Staff watches for any signs of coughing or difficulty swallowing ice.
- Ice helps prevent dry mouth which limits growth of oral bacteria.
Hospital patients can feel confident eating their ice chips. If you have any concerns, ask your nurse how your hospital’s ice machines are cleaned and monitored to put your mind at ease.
Are There Any Risks from Hospital Ice Chips?
The risks associated with hospital ice chips are very low. However, there are a couple precautions to keep in mind:
- Choking hazard – Taking large pieces could potentially block the airway in at-risk patients. Nurses are trained to monitor swallowing ability.
- Dampened thirst response – Getting hydration from ice could reduce normal thirst cues to drink liquids. Again, nurses help monitor overall fluid intake.
- Lowered core temperature – Eating large volumes of ice continually may drop body temperature. This is uncommon from small ice chip amounts.
- Irritation to sensitive teeth – Patients with tooth pain or sensitivity may find ice uncomfortable. Alternatives can be provided.
While very safe under proper usage, discuss any concerns about intolerances, choking risks, or other issues with your nurse for personalized guidance.
Special Considerations for Ice Chips
Certain patients may require extra precautions or monitoring with ice chips:
- Swallowing disorders – Patients with dysphagia or reduced gag reflex need assessment for choking risks.
- Oral surgery – Use of ice chips immediately after mouth surgeries should be discussed with the surgeon.
- Teeth sensitivities – Patients with dental pain should receive appropriate alternatives to plain ice chips.
- Throat pain – While ice helps some sore throats, cold may worsen pain from severe inflammation.
- Dehydration – Oral fluids alone may not be enough for patients with severe fluid loss.
- Pregnancy – Hydration needs increase during pregnancy, so ice may not meet fluid requirements.
Be sure to inform hospital staff about any specific conditions or risks that could impact your ice chip regimen.
What Are Typical Ice Chip Portions?
During a hospital stay, how much ice should a patient expect to receive? Typical ice chip quantities include:
- 1-3 chips per spoonful
- 1-2 spoonfuls every 30-60 minutes
- Up to 60 ml (4 tbsp) per hour
- Around 1 cup per day
These small, spaced out portions aim to provide oral comfort without affecting hydration levels. Intake is adjusted as needed or according to physician orders. Some patients receive unlimited ice chips at their discretion.
Alternatives to Plain Hospital Ice Chips
Instead of plain ice, some hospitals may offer:
- Flavored ice – Adding juice or other flavors to ice chips to mask unpleasant tastes
- Slushy ice – Partially melted for easier swallowing
- Popsicles – Provides longer lasting oral relief
- Ice cubes or crushed ice – Different shapes and sizes than chips
- Oral moisturizing gels – Provides moisture without the coldness of ice
Discuss options with staff if plain ice chips become unappealing or if you need certain consistencies.
Including Family and Friends in Ice Chip Care
Support persons visiting hospital patients often want to help provide care where possible. Here are some appropriate ways family and friends can assist with ice chips:
- Ask nursing staff for guidance on how best to give ice chips.
- Ensure hands are clean before touching cups or utensils.
- Give only allowed amounts at recommended intervals.
- Watch for any signs of difficulty chewing or swallowing.
- Offer cups with long straws for easier accessibility.
- Add lemon wedges or other flavor if permitted.
- Keep a button down call bell within reach in case help is needed.
With training on the care plan, family and friends can become a great asset in keeping patients comfortable with ice chips.
Can You Bring Your Own Ice Chips to the Hospital?
It is not recommended to bring outside ice into a hospital setting. Reasons to solely utilize hospital-provided ice chips include:
- Hospital protocols ensure quality control over ice production and distribution.
- Nursing staff needs to monitor and document how much ice patients receive.
- Outside items could introduce new bacteria or other contaminants.
- Shape or size of non-hospital ice may present choking risks.
- Added flavors like juice concentrates could interact with medication or diet.
Notify nurses if the hospital ice chips do not meet your needs so appropriate accommodations can be made.
Ensuring Excellence in Hospital Ice Chip Services
As relatively small aspects of care, ice chips are sometimes overlooked when evaluating hospital experiences. However, excellence in ice chip provision represents the overall commitment to patient comfort. Here are some attributes of a high quality ice chip program:
- Sanitary ice machines that are routinely disinfected
- Clear protocols to identify patients appropriate for ice chips
- Ongoing staff training on safe ice chip administration
- Individualized usage based on patient risks and preferences
- Ice accessible on demand instead of restricted times
- Flavor and consistency options for more appetizing ice
- Tracking of ice chip intake in medical charts
- Accommodating family assistance with ice chips
While simply frozen water, thoughtful ice chip care demonstrates a hospital’s overall patient-centered service approach.
Conclusion
Ice chips are a simple but vital part of the hospital patient experience. Nurses provide the comfort of ice for hydration without the risks of full liquids. Small portions given frequently let ice dissolve safely to moisten the mouth and throat. Hospital staff monitor ice chip use, but welcome involvement from family and friends as well. While plain ice is typical, hospitals aim to accommodate preferences for flavor, size, or alternative oral soothing products. Ice chips may seem trivial, but they represent an important tool to promote recovery and wellbeing during a hospital stay.
