Failure to Maintain Kitchen Sanitation and Food Storage Standards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain kitchen sanitation in a safe and consistent manner, as observed during a surveyor's visit. In the kitchen freezer, an unlabeled and undated opened box of hotdogs/kielbasa was found with the plastic bag inside also opened, exposing the contents to air and freezer burn. Similarly, an opened 15-pound box of single slice bacon was found with the plastic bag inside opened, exposing the bacon to air. In the walk-in refrigerator, sliced turkey deli meat was wrapped in clear plastic wrap and labeled with a use-by date of the previous day, indicating it should have been discarded. Additionally, on the spice/dry storage rack, a four-quart plastic container with a green lid was found unlabeled and undated, containing an unidentifiable white powder identified as instant mashed potato mix. Other items such as garlic powder, paprika powder, and browning seasoning sauce were also found opened and undated. The facility's policies for frozen, refrigerated, and dry food storage were not adhered to, as evidenced by the lack of labeling and dating of opened food items. Furthermore, dented cans of mandarin orange slices and grape jelly were found on the canned goods rack, contrary to the facility's policy that dented cans should be stored separately. These observations were acknowledged by the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Director of Nursing, Assistant LNHA, and the Regional Director of Operations during the survey. The facility's policies, revised in late 2024, clearly outlined the requirements for labeling, dating, and proper storage of food items to prevent contamination and maintain food quality, which were not followed in this instance.
Plan Of Correction
1. Corrective Action The Facility was deficient in its practice of storing and handling food items. The unlabeled, undated, opened box of Kielbasa was discarded. The unlabeled, undated, and opened fifteen # box of bacon was discarded. The sliced turkey deli meat with an expired used by date of 12/2 was discarded. The unlabeled, undated 4-quart plastic container containing a white powder was discarded. The unlabeled, undated spices, garlic powder, paprika powder, and bottle of browning sauce were discarded. The two dented cans containing grape jelly and mandarin oranges were moved to the dented can rack in a separate location. 2. Identification of other residents having potential to be affected by the deficient practice The deficient practice has the potential to affect all residents. 3. Measures put in place • Dietary Staff received in person re-education on the Frozen Food Storage Policy, the Dry Food Storage Policy and the Dented/Compromised Cans Policy by the Regional Dietary Director. 4. How facility will monitor corrective actions to ensure the deficient practice does not recur Dietary Director/ Designee will conduct audit weekly x4 and monthly x2 and will report to the Quality Assurance Meeting for the duration of the audit period.