The scoring rules
- The report is based on inspection items with a total value of 100 points (EPHS 12.3.1.1).
- Items are weighted by their probability of increasing the risk of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (EPHS 12.3.1.2).
- Critical items are worth 3 to 5 points, noncritical items 1 to 2 points (EPHS 12.3.1.3 and 12.3.1.5). There are 16 critical items, together 60 points.
- For each item where the vessel does not meet the standards, the report gives the item number and its point value (EPHS 12.2.2.3). These points are deducted from 100 (EPHS 12.3.1.6).
- In 871 public VSP reports, a cited item cost its full points once or nothing, never points per deficiency. 15% of the cited items were deducted.
- The level of sanitation is acceptable if the score is 86 or higher (EPHS 13.18.1).
Critical deficiencies
A critical deficiency is corrected at the time of the inspection, with a corrective-action plan to monitor the item for continued compliance. VSP may agree to, or specify, a longer time frame of not more than 10 calendar days after the inspection (EPHS 12.3.2).
After the inspection
- 1 Closing conference: the results are explained to the master or a designee before VSP leaves. The draft report stays on board, so corrections can start at once (EPHS 12.4).
- 2 To contest a result: notify VSP within 72 hours of the closing conference, and send the facts within 2 weeks of the inspection (EPHS 12.5.1.1).
- 3 Corrective action statement: each deficiency with the corrective action taken, within 2 weeks of receiving the final report (EPHS 12.6.1).
- 4 A vessel that does not score at least 86 is reinspected, unannounced, within a reasonable time (EPHS 12.10).
CDC publishes the score and the complete report of each inspection on the VSP website (EPHS 13.18.1).
The 44 inspection items
| Item | Topic | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Disease reporting (critical) | 4 |
| 02 | Medical logs | 1 |
| 03 | Potable water source and bunkering, halogen (critical) | 5 |
| 04 | Potable water distribution halogen residual (critical) | 5 |
| 05 | Halogen analyzer | 2 |
| 06 | Chart recorder, records, microbiology | 2 |
| 07 | Cross-connections, backflow, disinfection (critical) | 3 |
| 08 | Hoses, caps, fittings, sample valves, system construction | 1 |
| 09 | RWF halogen residuals (critical) | 3 |
| 10 | RWF maintenance and safety equipment | 2 |
| 11 | Food handler infections (critical) | 5 |
| 12 | Handwashing and hygiene practices (critical) | 4 |
| 13 | Management, knowledge, monitoring (critical) | 3 |
| 14 | Clothing, jewelry, hair | 1 |
| 15 | Food source and condition, re-service (critical) | 5 |
| 16 | PHF temperatures (critical) | 5 |
| 17 | Temperature practices, thawing | 2 |
| 18 | Cross-contamination (critical) | 3 |
| 19 | Food protection, labeling, utensils | 2 |
| 20 | PHF temperature facilities, food-contact surfaces, thermometers | 2 |
| 21 | Nonfood-contact surfaces, ambient thermometers | 1 |
| 22 | Warewashing facilities, thermometers, test kits | 2 |
| 23 | Prewash, wash and rinse solutions | 2 |
| 24 | Sanitizing rinse (critical) | 3 |
| 25 | Wiping cloths | 1 |
| 26 | Food-contact surfaces clean, safe materials (critical) | 3 |
| 27 | Nonfood-contact surfaces clean | 1 |
| 28 | Storage of equipment, linen, single-service | 2 |
| 29 | Toilet and handwashing facilities accessible, design, installation (critical) | 3 |
| 30 | Soap, towels, waste receptacles, signs | 1 |
| 31 | Toxic substances (critical) | 3 |
| 32 | Garbage receptacles | 1 |
| 33 | Decks, bulkheads, deckheads | 1 |
| 34 | Plumbing fixtures, supply and waste lines | 1 |
| 35 | Liquid waste disposal | 2 |
| 36 | Lighting | 1 |
| 37 | Room and equipment venting | 1 |
| 38 | Unnecessary items, cleaning equipment | 1 |
| 39 | IPM effective, approved pesticides (critical) | 3 |
| 40 | IPM procedures, protection of outer openings | 1 |
| 41 | Housekeeping incl. OPRP | 2 |
| 42 | Child activity centers | 1 |
| 43 | Ventilation | 1 |
| 44 | Person in charge, knowledge, open construction deficiencies | 2 |
Item names are short forms. Which deficiencies VSP cites most often under these items: What VSP finds on cruise ships.