Sanitary Deficiencies in Kitchen and Food Storage
Summary
The facility was found to have deficiencies in maintaining sanitary conditions in its kitchen, which serves food to residents. During a survey, it was observed that the compressor above the chest freezers was heavily dusted, and the mesh cover of the compressor in the walk-in refrigerator was dusty and in disrepair. Additionally, the compressor was leaking directly onto the floor of the walk-in refrigerator, where uncovered crates of milk cartons were stored directly underneath, and a puddle of standing water was present nearby. Further observations revealed that food debris was present on the floor under the racks storing food for resident consumption in the walk-in refrigerator. The Director of Food Services mentioned that the walk-in boxes are cleaned daily in the afternoon, but there were no cleaning logs to verify this, and the cleaning was part of the kitchen staff's job description. The Director of Maintenance acknowledged responsibility for the maintenance of the compressor fans and indicated plans to repair and clean them. The facility's policies and procedures, effective from October 2024, state that food should be stored in clean, dry areas free from contaminants and that refrigerated units should be kept clean and in good working condition. Additionally, a comprehensive cleaning schedule should be maintained, with tasks being initialed upon completion. However, the lack of adherence to these policies contributed to the observed deficiencies in food storage and equipment maintenance.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved March 10, 2025 Pine (NAME) Center For Rehabilitation and Healthcare provides the following Plan Of Correction: 1. No residents were affected by the deficient practice. 2. All residents have the potential to be affected by this deficient practice. 3. The food service director immediately moved the milk crates to a different location in the fridge. 4. The compressor above the chest freezer has been cleaned and will be checked weekly to ensure no dust build-up. 5. The walk-in fridge has been swept and cleaned. 6. The food service director inserviced all staff on filling out the cleaning logs. 7. The EVS Director reached out to the vendor who will be replacing the fan mesh cover and fixing the leak. The vendor came on site, and the facility received and approved the quote. The vendor will be onsite 3/12/2025 to complete the work. 8. The food service director will conduct daily checks of the walk-in fridge until it is repaired and report all findings to the administrator/EVS Director. 9. The food service director will conduct daily checks of the walk-in fridge to ensure it has been swept and cleaned. 10. The EVS Director/designee will present any findings at the quarterly QA/QAPI meetings. 11. The EVS Director/designee will be responsible to correct this deficiency.
Penalty
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