Failure to Serve Palatable Food at Appropriate Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to serve palatable food at appropriate temperatures, as evidenced by observations during a lunch meal service. The facility's policy, dated January 20, 2025, required hot foods to be held at temperatures of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above, with efforts to maintain hot food hot and cold food cold at the point of service. However, during the lunch meal tray line on February 10, 2025, the food temperatures were found to be below the required levels. Specifically, the barbecued ribs were at 114 degrees F, baked beans at 127 degrees F, corn at 102 degrees F, and watermelon at 53.1 degrees F. Additionally, pureed versions of these foods were also below the required temperatures, making them cold and not palatable. The delay in the tray line and tray passing process contributed to the food being served at inadequate temperatures. The last tray was placed on the cart at 12:14 p.m., arrived on the unit at 12:17 p.m., and the last tray was served at 12:27 p.m. A test tray removed at 12:42 p.m. confirmed the low temperatures. An interview with the Director of Dietary confirmed that the temperatures were not palatable due to these delays. This deficiency was noted under the regulations 28 Pa. Code 201.18(b)(1) Management and 28 Pa. Code 211.6(f) Dietary Services.
Plan Of Correction
Unable to retroactively correct the temperatures of the food. Residents receiving meals from Dining Services have the potential to be affected. Trays will be distributed within 15 minutes of the cart being delivered to the floor. Monitoring will be captured through auditing test trays. Audits will be conducted 6 trays weekly for 4 weeks, then 3 trays weekly for 2 months. The audits will be conducted by the Director of Dietary, the Dietitian or designee. Results of the audits will be provided to the Administrator by the Director of Dietary and be presented for review at the monthly Quality Assurance Improvement Committee (QAPI) meeting monthly for a period of three months. Any revisions to the audit plan will be reviewed and implemented with coordination of the interdisciplinary team at QAPI Committee meeting.