Improper Trash and Biohazardous Waste Management
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that trash, including biohazardous waste, was collected and stored appropriately, potentially affecting all 57 residents. During an observation with the District Dietary Manager (DDM), multiple dumpsters were found in the parking lot area behind the facility. The designated dietary dumpster was open and surrounded by debris, including cut-up onions, leaves, Christmas lights, a broken dresser, chair, and couch. Additional trash, such as snow plow markers, a box, and takeout containers, were found outside another dumpster. A red biohazard barrel and a bookshelf were also improperly stored in a wooden open gated area near the dumpster. The DDM confirmed that the dumpster area was not reasonably clean and that the biohazardous waste should not have been in the parking lot. Further observation with the Director of Maintenance (DOM) revealed additional debris, including a large pile of mattresses and chairs, near the dietary dumpster. The biohazard barrel remained in the wooden open gated area. The DOM also showed the surveyor the first-floor biohazard room on the Critical Recovery Unit (CRU), which was overflowing with at least five red bags and a large box with a red bag. The DOM confirmed that the biohazardous waste barrel should not have been outside and that the biohazard room was overly full, indicating the need for waste pickup. Facility policies reviewed indicated that the area surrounding the exterior dumpster should be free of rubbish and that medical waste should be stored in designated biohazard rooms, protected from animals, and not providing a food source for insects and rodents.
Penalty
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Surveyors observed that the dumpster area was not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, with loose rubbish found around and under the stairs leading to the dumpster. The Administrator confirmed that maintenance was responsible for weekly cleaning after the dumpster was emptied, in accordance with facility policy. This lapse had the potential to impact all residents.
Surveyors found that garbage bags containing soiled briefs, gloves, wipes, plasticware, and food were left on the ground around dumpsters with open lids and doors, allowing raccoons to access and scatter the waste. A resident and an LPN confirmed the ongoing issue with raccoons tearing open the bags, and it was noted that the facility lacked a policy for maintaining a sanitary dumpster area.
Surveyors observed that the dumpster area was not maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, with significant debris such as used gloves, food containers, and a damaged cardboard box scattered around. The grease barrel was also left open with a stock pot of water on top. These conditions were confirmed by a dietary aide and had the potential to affect all 104 residents.
Surveyors found the dumpster area unsanitary, with the lid and enclosure left open and significant debris such as cups, plastic wrap, gloves, and food wrappers scattered around. The Dietary Manager confirmed the findings and indicated that the maintenance director was responsible for maintaining the area.
Surveyors observed that two garbage cans in the kitchen food preparation area were left uncovered on multiple occasions, which was confirmed by a dietary staff member. Facility policy requires that garbage and refuse containers be covered when not in use.
Staff did not keep garbage cans in the kitchen food prep areas covered, as required by facility policy. During observation, uncovered garbage receptacles were found near the handwashing and dishwashing sinks, and this was confirmed by the Dietary Director. This practice had the potential to affect all residents receiving food from the kitchen.
Improper Maintenance of Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the dumpster and refuse area in a clean and sanitary condition, as observed during a survey. On the date of observation, various loose rubbish was found around and underneath the stairs leading to the dumpster. The Administrator confirmed this finding and stated that maintenance is responsible for cleaning the area weekly after the dumpster is emptied to prevent rodent attraction. Review of the facility's policy on garbage and refuse disposal indicated that storage areas and receptacles should be kept in good repair and cleaned frequently enough to prevent buildup or attraction of pests. This deficiency had the potential to affect all 102 residents in the facility.
Unsanitary Dumpster Area and Lack of Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a sanitary area around the garbage dumpsters, as observed during a survey. Several large bags of garbage containing soiled briefs, latex gloves, wipes, plasticware, and food were found on the ground surrounding three dumpsters. The dumpster doors and lids were left open, which allowed raccoons to access and pull out the garbage. These findings were confirmed by both a resident and an LPN, who stated that raccoons frequently come from the woods and tear open the bags. Additionally, a review of facility policies revealed that there was no policy in place regarding the maintenance of a sanitary dumpster area. This deficiency was identified during a complaint investigation and had the potential to affect all residents in the facility.
Improper Disposal and Sanitation of Dumpster Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the dumpster area in a clean and sanitary condition, as observed during a survey with a dietary aide. Significant amounts of debris, including plastic gloves, used plastic silverware, paper plates with food residue, brown bags, and various plastic items were found scattered to the left of the dumpster. In front of the dumpster, a cardboard box was observed on the ground, appearing to have been run over multiple times by vehicles. To the right of the dumpster, the facility's grease barrel was found open to the air with a stock pot of water placed on top. These findings were confirmed by staff during the survey. This deficiency had the potential to affect all 104 residents residing in the facility, as noted in the facility census at the time of the survey.
Unsanitary Dumpster Area and Improper Refuse Disposal
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the dumpster area was not maintained in a sanitary condition. The lid of the dumpster and the enclosure were both left open, and there was significant debris, including cups, plastic wrap, gloves, and food wrappers, scattered around the dumpster inside the enclosure. The Dietary Manager confirmed these findings during the observation and stated that the maintenance director was responsible for the upkeep of the dumpster area. This deficiency had the potential to affect all residents in the facility, which had a census of 48 at the time of the survey.
Uncovered Garbage Cans in Kitchen Food Preparation Area
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to ensure that garbage cans in the kitchen food preparation area were covered, as required by facility policy. On two separate observations, surveyors noted that two garbage cans in the food preparation area were left uncovered. This was confirmed in an interview with a dietary staff member, who acknowledged that the garbage cans were not covered. Review of the facility's policy indicated that garbage and refuse containers should be covered when not in use. The facility census at the time was 68 residents. No information was provided regarding any specific residents' medical history or condition at the time of the deficiency.
Uncovered Kitchen Garbage Receptacles in Food Prep Areas
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to ensure that garbage receptacles in the kitchen food preparation areas were covered, as required by facility policy. During an observation, it was noted that the garbage can by the primary handwashing sink and another by the dishwashing sink next to a prep-area counter were both uncovered. The Dietary Director confirmed that these garbage receptacles were not covered with lids. The facility's policy states that garbage cans should be covered when not in use. This deficiency had the potential to affect all 73 residents who receive food from the kitchen. No specific residents were directly involved or affected at the time of the observation, but the census indicated 73 residents could be impacted by this practice.
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