Unsanitary Conditions in Kitchen Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain kitchen equipment in a sanitary condition, which was identified during a survey. The deficiency was observed in the main kitchen, specifically in walk-in coolers #3 and #4. The cold air condenser fan covers in both coolers had a significant build-up of dust, grime, and dark-colored debris. Additionally, the floor of walk-in cooler #3 had a build-up of grime and dried food debris beneath stored cases of milk. These observations were made during a walkthrough with the Dietary Director, Employee E25, who confirmed the unsanitary conditions. The facility's policy titled "Food Safety Requirements: Sanitation of the Kitchen" mandates that food service staff maintain kitchen sanitation through adherence to a comprehensive cleaning schedule. However, the observed conditions in the walk-in coolers indicate non-compliance with this policy, creating the potential for cross-contamination. The Dietary Director acknowledged the failure to maintain the kitchen equipment in a sanitary state, which is a violation of the facility's responsibility to ensure food safety as per federal and state regulations.
Plan Of Correction
No residents were negatively affected by the deficient practice. The fan assembly, fan covers, and floors were cleaned of dust, food, and grime build-up in walk-in coolers #3 and #4. The Maintenance Director was educated by the Administrator on the need to put the walk-in cooler fan assembly and cover on a preventive maintenance schedule so that they are cleaned on a quarterly basis. Dietary staff were educated on the need to pull all stored materials on the floor prior to mopping the floor in all walk-in coolers. Maintenance has placed the fans on the walk-in coolers on a quarterly preventative maintenance program so they will be on a scheduled cleaning program. The floors in the walk-in are now placed on the daily cleaning checklist. The Dietary manager will audit the cleanliness of the walk-in coolers twice weekly for 4 weeks and then weekly for 2 months. Audits and education will be submitted to the QAPI committee for review and approval so the issue does not recur.