Failure to Record Dish Machine Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food service safety by not consistently recording dish machine temperatures in the main kitchen. The review of the Dish Machine Temperature Logs revealed numerous instances where temperatures were not recorded during various meal periods across several months, including May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December 2024, and January 2025. Specifically, there were no temperature recordings for dinner throughout these months, and some logs for June and July 2024 were missing entirely. An interview with the Food Service Director indicated that the lack of supervision during dinner might have contributed to the failure to log temperatures. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that it is the facility's expectation to utilize kitchen equipment according to professional standards, highlighting a discrepancy between expected practices and actual operations. This deficiency in maintaining proper food safety protocols was identified through staff interviews and documentation reviews.
Plan Of Correction
1. The dish machine temporary log and utilizing kitchen equipment has been corrected and the NHA educated (E8) Food Service Director and dietary staff immediately on the professional standards for food service safety in the main kitchen, including logging the dishwasher temperatures. 2. The facility has determined that all residents have the potential to be affected by this alleged deficient practice. No adverse effects related to the deficiency cited. 3. The Food Service Director (E8), Assisted Food Director and dietary staff were educated immediately by the NHA and will continued to be monitored by March 14, 2025 and observed by the NHA on utilizing professional standard kitchen equipment for food service safety and logging the dish machine temperature during all meal periods. 4. The Food Director and Assistant Director of Dining Services will be auditing the dish machine logs during each meal period and the dish machine log along with the dinner cook weekly x 4 weeks then monthly x 2 months by the NHA and/or Vice President of Facilities. This plan of correction will be monitored at the monthly QAPI meeting until such time consistent substantial compliance has been met.