Deficiencies in Hand Hygiene and Sanitizing Procedures in Dietary Department
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to proper hand hygiene and sanitizing procedures in the dietary department, affecting all 83 residents. During an observation in the dish machine room, a dietary aide, identified as V15, was seen handling both soiled and clean dishes without washing hands or changing gloves as required by the facility's policy. V15 removed gloves after handling dirty dishes but did not wash hands before touching clean, sanitized bowls and other dishware, which were then placed into storage. This practice was contrary to the facility's policy, which mandates handwashing between glove use to prevent cross-contamination. Additionally, the facility did not maintain the correct concentration of sanitizing solution for food contact surfaces. During a lunch meal preparation, a dietary aide, V6, used a sanitizing solution with a concentration of 100 ppm, which was below the required 150-400 ppm as per the facility's chemical manufacturing product information. The Food Service Director, V5, confirmed that the sanitizing solution should be within the specified range, indicating a failure to comply with the manufacturer's instructions for maintaining proper sanitizing standards.