Improper Trash Containment
Summary
The facility failed to properly contain trash in a closed dumpster, resulting in trash overflowing the dumpster area and spilling onto the ground. During multiple observations, the dumpster area was seen with trash, including plastic wrappings, cardboard boxes, and pieces of boxes, overflowing and the lid left open. Despite the Dietary Manager's statement that trash would be picked up the next day, the issue persisted over several days. The Administrator confirmed there was no specific policy for trash disposal, although it was acknowledged that trash is picked up twice a week and the area is required to be kept clean and contained.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Surveyors observed that staff did not properly dispose of or contain garbage and waste, with dumpster doors left open and various debris such as medical gloves, cups, and towels found scattered around the disposal area. These findings were discussed with facility leadership.
Staff failed to properly dispose of refuse and maintain a clean dumpster area, resulting in food debris and trash being left exposed around and protruding from dumpsters. The facility's policy requiring waste to be kept in covered, leak-proof containers and deposited into sealed containers was not followed.
Staff failed to keep a dumpster lid closed, leaving trash bags exposed. The responsibility for maintaining the dumpsters was shared between dietary and maintenance departments, but the trash was not pushed down to allow the lid to close. Facility leadership was informed of the issue.
Staff failed to keep three dumpsters closed and the surrounding area clean, leaving dumpster lids and side doors open and debris scattered nearby. The food service director confirmed the dumpsters should be kept closed and the area cleaned, in accordance with facility policy, but these practices were not followed.
The facility staff failed to properly dispose of garbage and waste, resulting in a large pile of debris beside the dumpster. The debris included computer screens, keyboards, wooden pallets, wet decorative hay, outdated chicken noodle soup, nightstands, drinking straws, medication cups, drinking cups, and surgical masks. The dumpster was too full to accommodate the debris, and an employee noted that it had been emptied earlier but the debris was not collected. The Administrator stated that the dumpster had been replaced with a smaller one and plans were in place to switch back to a larger size.
The facility staff failed to maintain sanitary garbage areas, as observed with an open trash compactor door and two open trash bin lids, allowing access to pests. Interviews with maintenance staff confirmed that these should be kept closed, in line with the facility's policy on food-related garbage disposal.
Improper Disposal and Containment of Facility Garbage and Waste
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure proper disposal and containment of garbage and waste, as observed by surveyors and the Dietary Manager. During an inspection of the facility's outdoor garbage disposal area, it was noted that one dumpster had both doors open and the other had one door open. Additionally, various debris, including blue medical gloves, plastic drinking cups, a piece of foil, a disposable towel, small medication cups, and an empty plastic cup previously containing jello or pudding, were found scattered on the ground around the dumpsters. These observations were discussed with facility leadership during a meeting following the inspection. No information regarding specific residents or their medical conditions was provided in the report.
Improper Disposal and Maintenance of Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to properly dispose of refuse and maintain a clean dumpster area, as observed during a kitchen task. During an observation outside the main kitchen, one dumpster had an open seam at the bottom with tin foil containing food debris and a trash bag protruding from it, while food waste such as a half sandwich and citrus peel were found in front of the dumpster. Another dumpster had its bifold lid fully open on one side. Staff interviews confirmed that the area had not been cleaned after trash pickup and that responsibility for the dumpster area was shared between maintenance and dietary staff. The facility's Waste Disposal policy requires all waste to be kept in leak-proof, covered containers and deposited into sealed containers outside, which was not followed in this instance.
Dumpster Lid Left Open, Exposing Trash
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain one of two dumpsters in a sanitary manner by not ensuring that the lid was closed. During an observation, it was noted that the left lid of the right-side dumpster was left open, resting on a bag of trash, which resulted in the trash bags being exposed. Staff interviews confirmed that the responsibility for maintaining the dumpsters was shared between the dietary and maintenance departments, alternating monthly. The assistant dietary manager acknowledged that the trash should have been pushed down to allow the lid to close and that the lid should have been closed to prevent pest access. Further interviews with the director of environmental services confirmed the shared responsibility for dumpster maintenance and the frequency of trash removal. The director also agreed that the trash should have been managed to allow the lid to close. The deficiency was brought to the attention of facility leadership, including the administrator, director of nursing, and regional vice president of operations. No additional information was provided prior to the survey exit.
Improper Disposal and Maintenance of Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain three dumpsters in a sanitary manner, as observed during a survey. The tops of the dumpsters were left open to the environment, with the covers of the middle dumpster crushed down inside, and the side sliding doors on all three dumpsters also left open. The area surrounding the dumpsters contained numerous pieces of debris, including plastics and paper products. These observations were made in the back parking area behind the facility. During a follow-up observation with the food service director, it was confirmed that the dumpsters should be kept closed and the area cleaned to prevent attracting rodents. The food service director stated that the kitchen and maintenance departments alternate cleaning the dumpster area every other day. Facility policy requires regular inspection and cleaning of dumpsters and surrounding areas, but these procedures were not followed as evidenced by the observed conditions.
Improper Disposal and Containment of Facility Waste
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to ensure proper disposal and containment of garbage and waste. During an observation, a surveyor noted a large pile of debris beside the facility's dumpster, which included computer screens, keyboards, wooden pallets, wet decorative hay, outdated chicken noodle soup, nightstands, drinking straws, medication cups, drinking cups, and surgical masks. The dumpster doors were shut, but the debris was left outside because the dumpster was too full. An employee mentioned that the dumpster had been emptied earlier that day, but the debris was not picked up. The facility's Administrator explained that the dumpster had been replaced with a smaller one due to holes in the previous dumpster, and plans were in place to switch back to a larger size after a concrete pad was poured.
Improper Garbage Disposal Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain the garbage areas in a sanitary manner, as observed with one trash compactor and two trash bins. During an observation, the side door of the trash compactor was found open with multiple bags of trash inside. Additionally, two outside trash bins were observed with their lids open, also containing multiple bags of trash. Interviews with the regional director of maintenance and the maintenance director confirmed that the doors and lids should be kept closed to prevent animal access. The facility's policy on food-related garbage and refuse disposal requires that garbage containing food waste be stored in a manner inaccessible to pests. This policy was not adhered to, leading to the deficiency.
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