Deficiencies in Kitchen Food Safety and Maintenance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was stored, prepared, distributed, and served in accordance with professional standards for food service safety in the main kitchen. During the recertification survey, it was observed that food in the walk-in freezer was not protected, with an uncovered open box of hamburgers and food and packaging debris under shelving. Additionally, there was ice build-up on the ceiling and an open junction box with exposed wiring. The kitchen lighting was not properly shielded, with the majority of lights lacking protection, and the facility could not confirm if the bulbs were shatter resistant. The condenser outside of the cooler had dirt and grease build-up, and there were several broken floor tiles under the three-door freezer in the dry storage room, which were not smooth or easily cleanable. Interviews with the Regional Food Service Director and Kitchen Supervisor revealed that the facility's cleaning and maintenance practices were inadequate. The Kitchen Cleaning log audit for December 2024 and January 2025 was blank, indicating a lack of documentation for cleaning activities. The Regional Food Service Director emphasized the importance of proper food storage and cleanliness to prevent contamination and pest control issues. The Kitchen Supervisor admitted that the light covers had been missing for several years and was unsure if the bulbs were shatter resistant, highlighting a long-standing issue with kitchen lighting protection. These deficiencies indicate a failure to adhere to the facility's policy on food storage and safety standards.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved March 3, 2025 The following corrective action(s) will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice: - Dispose of uncovered hamburgers in box in cooler - Fixed and cover the exposed wiring within the junction box - Remove ice buildup on the ceiling, and identify and correct source of ice - Remove and dispose of food and packaging debris under shelving in walk-in-freezer - Lights uncovered in kitchen – Replace with Shatterproof bulbs - Clean outside cooler of debris and dirt - Repair cove base below 2-sink bay - Repair/Replace tiles under 3-door freezer The facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and the following corrective action will be taken: - Audit kitchen for food procurement, storage, preparedness and serving - Work orders placed for any areas requiring repair The following measures will be put in place and/or systemic changes will be made to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur: - Education on food procurement and storage in the kitchen to dietary staff The corrective action(s) will be monitored to ensure the deficient practice will not recur: - Auditing food procurement and storage in the kitchen through the cleaning log for the kitchen for x1/day for 4 weeks, then x1/week for 3 months until 100% The date for correction and the title of the person responsible for correction of each deficiency: - Date of Correction: 3/5/2025 - Person Responsible: Director of Food Services