Sanitation and Maintenance Deficiencies in Kitchen and Dining Areas
Summary
The facility staff failed to maintain a sanitary and comfortable environment in the kitchen and dining areas, as evidenced by several deficiencies observed during a survey. Light fixtures in these areas contained dead bugs, were not clean, and some were missing covers or not functioning. The facility's cleaning schedule did not include tasks for cleaning or maintaining these lights, and staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and communication regarding the maintenance of these fixtures. The Dietary Manager and Maintenance Director were unaware of the issues, and there was no systematic process for reporting or addressing such maintenance needs. Additionally, the lower shelf of the prep table in the kitchen was found to be in poor condition, with visible grime, rust, and missing coating. Despite a cleaning schedule that included wiping down the prep table, staff interviews indicated that the table's condition was known but inadequately addressed. The Dietary Manager acknowledged the issue but relied on temporary measures like covering the table with plastic sheets, which did not resolve the underlying problem of rust and grime accumulation. The facility also failed to maintain the cleanliness of the ice machine and the stock room floor. The outside of the ice machine had white streaks and lint on the vent, with no clear responsibility assigned for its cleaning. Housekeeping and kitchen staff had conflicting views on who was responsible, leading to neglect. Similarly, the stock room floor was dirty, with no specific cleaning tasks outlined in the schedule. Staff interviews highlighted a lack of documentation and oversight in ensuring these areas were cleaned, with the Dietary Manager and Administrator acknowledging the oversight but not implementing effective solutions.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release July 29, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
In your survey window? See what surveyors are citing.
The Survey-Prep Report maps your facility's risk from 12 months of CMS and state citation data — what's being cited around you and what to check first. $129 one-time.