To which group of patients have ice machines been linked in relation to Legionnaires' disease?

Ice machines have been linked specifically to hospital patients in relation to Legionnaires' disease due to the unique characteristics of these environments and the populations they serve. Hospitals often host patients with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions, making them more susceptible to infections, including those caused by Legionella bacteria.

Ice machines can serve as reservoirs for Legionella when they are not properly maintained or cleaned. When these machines are used in hospitals, any contaminated ice can then be ingested by patients, leading to potential outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease. The use of these machines in healthcare settings increases the risk among patients who are already at a higher risk of severe outcomes from infections.

In contrast, the other groups listed, while they might have some level of vulnerability, do not share the same level of exposure or risk that hospital patients do when it comes to contaminated ice or water sources like ice machines.