Why ICON Exists
Blocked macerators, inconsistent consumables, and unexpected downtime aren’t just inconveniences — they disrupt entire workflows. Nurses lose valuable time juggling workarounds. Estates teams face reactive callouts. Procurement has to firefight supplier complaints. And suppliers risk reputational damage for performance issues that may not be their products fault.
ICON was built to cut through this uncertainty. It doesn’t brand any consumable or macerator as “good” or “bad.” Instead, it looks at how they perform together as pairs. By providing transparent test data, ICON helps every role — nursing, estates, procurement, and suppliers — understand what works, what doesn’t, and how to make better choices that keep sluice rooms running smoothly.
The Value of Report Cards and Reports
Every tested pair (a macerator and a maceratable consumable) is summarised in a report card. These use a simple traffic light system:
- Green = performed well with no major concerns.
- Amber = mostly fine, with some issues worth noting.
- Red = struggled under test conditions.
Results also include shorthand outcomes like:
- SFM (Super Fine Maceration) = optimal breakdown.
- DNM (Did Not Macerate) = failed to break down.
This public information is invaluable for quick comparisons. But the real depth of analysis sits inside the full reports, which can be purchased individually. These reports show exactly how products were tested, where they performed well, and where they were more likely to cause problems.
For hospitals, this insight is practical: knowing which situations might increase the chance of a blockage allows teams to plan usage more carefully and avoid unnecessary downtime. For procurement, it turns purchasing into an evidence-based process instead of guesswork.
Understanding the Grading System
ICON applies a letter and symbol grading system:
- Letter Grades show performance across three test types:
- 1st Letter (Basic Score) – performance under minimal expected loading.
- 2nd Letter (Complementary Score) – performance with realistic use scenarios (e.g. in combination with other items).
- 3rd Letter (Stress Score) – performance under maximum expected loading.
- Symbol Grades reflect debris size after maceration:
- +++ = ≤5mm (finest breakdown).
- ++ = 6–10mm.
- + = >10mm.
- x = blockage observed.
Batch Checks: Confidence in Everyday Use
Even when a consumable has tested well, problems can still arise in day-to-day use. A batch might vary from the certified sample, a material change might have slipped through unnoticed, or transport/storage could have affected quality.
This is where batch checks come in. Hospitals can submit samples from their current supply to verify whether it matches the performance of the original certified batch. If problems appear — blockages, debris, incomplete breakdown — a batch check helps confirm whether the fault lies in the consumable supply, the macerator, or somewhere else.
For estates, this means less finger-pointing and quicker root cause analysis. For procurement, it means documented assurance when raising issues with suppliers. And for nurses, it means fewer frustrating shifts spent working around preventable blockages.
For Suppliers: A Chance to Stand Out
For suppliers, ICON is more than a testing service — it’s a sales tool. Publishing strong report cards builds trust with procurement teams.
In competitive tenders, suppliers can stand out by showing more than product claims — they can show impartial evidence. Hospitals are increasingly looking for partners who can prove reliability with data, not just promises, and ICON makes that proof both visible and credible.
Even more importantly, suppliers can opt for triple test certification, which provides greater reliability and enhanced visibility on the ICON platform. This is one of the strongest ways to demonstrate credibility and build sales momentum. (We’ll cover this in detail in the next blog: Triple Test Certification: How it Works.)
Next Steps
If you’re a hospital, start by exploring the shop section. Check the report cards for your current consumables, and consider creating a free account to access 5 personal licence reports. Use batch checks proactively when issues arise, so you can get to the root of problems quickly.
If you’re a supplier, look beyond the basics. Publishing report cards is just the start — dive into the detailed reports, and consider the benefits of triple test certification. Hospitals are looking for partners who bring confidence and evidence to the table, and ICON helps you deliver both.
This is a hub for everyone involved in single-use consumables — a place where suppliers, hospitals, estates teams, and frontline staff can all find reliable insights. For hospitals already using single-use, it’s about optimising performance, reducing blockages, and keeping systems consistent. For those still transitioning, it’s about making the process clearer, supported by evidence, and easier to adopt when the time is right.
This is as much about growing the market as it is about strengthening the systems already in place. Keep an eye on this space — it will continue to develop as we explore new ways to support the community around single-use consumables.
