Food Storage and Preparation Deficiency Due to Water Intrusion
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store and prepare food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety, as evidenced by observations in the basement dry storage area. On December 4, 2024, standing water was found covering a 12-foot by 12-foot area, with a stream extending to a floor drain next to several metal shelves containing the emergency food supply and other items. These items included cans of chicken and dumplings, pureed beef stew, cans of chicken puree, cans of tomato soup, cans of ravioli, boxes of thick and easy Hormel dairy beverage, four cases of bottled water, and cases of plastic spoons and forks. Additionally, there was a noticeable sewer smell in the basement area, and a dehumidifier was in use by the floor drain. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and the Nursing Home Administrator, along with the Maintenance Director, confirmed the presence of standing water and the sewer odor. The Dietary Manager was unsure of the water's cause but noted a crawl space behind the wall. The Maintenance Director, upon re-examination, determined that a broken downspout was causing the excess water in the basement, which had increased significantly since it was last cleaned up. The recent rain and snow were cited as contributing factors to the increased groundwater in the basement.
Plan Of Correction
The water on the floor in the storage basement was immediately cleaned and a ventilator fan placed in the area to keep it dry. The cause was determined to be a detached drain spout along the outside wall at that point; it was immediately repaired. The other outside roof drain spouts were checked to ensure they were all in good working order and none were found to be out of order. While the entire sewer drainage system was recently rebuilt, this was not seen as a possible cause; nonetheless, a Sewer Drain contracting company was brought in with a line camera which was used to scope both drain pipes and no issues were found from the farthest point on both lines up to and including the initial drainage tank in the on-site sewage treatment plant. To ensure any rainwater or melting snow accumulation would not run down the wall to possibly penetrate the basement walls, dirt and mulch was added at the base of the exterior wall to provide drainage away from the building for any water that is not handled by the down spouts. As a preventative measure, Scenery Hill contracted with the sewage contractors for jet spray line cleaning for both the North and South halls' sewage pipes on a bi-annual basis. The roof down spouts will be added to the monthly maintenance checklist so these are reviewed monthly. The Maintenance team will be educated on the new monthly checklist requirements by the Nursing Home Administrator. They will also be educated on the new sewer cleanout contract requirements. The Maintenance Director or designee will audit the dietary storage floor for water daily for one week and weekly for three weeks. The Maintenance Director or designee will also audit the down spouts daily for a week and weekly for three weeks to ensure proper function and drainage. The results of these audits will be reviewed by the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement committee for adherence or further action. The plan of correction date of compliance will be January 7, 2025.