Failure to Label and Store Leftover Food Brought by Visitors
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that leftover food brought in by family or visitors for two residents was properly labeled with the resident's identifier and a use by date, as required by facility policy. In the case of one resident with chronic kidney disease and hypertension, who was cognitively intact and independent in activities of daily living, two containers of food brought by a family member were found on the overbed table without any labeling. The resident confirmed the food was brought the previous day. A registered nurse acknowledged that the food should have been labeled and refrigerated according to policy, but this was not done. Similarly, another resident with chronic kidney disease and hypertension, who required assistance with activities of daily living but was cognitively intact, had a box of pizza left on the overbed table, also brought by a visitor the previous day. This food was not labeled or refrigerated as required. The registered nurse confirmed that the leftover pizza should have been labeled with the resident's name and use by date and refrigerated to prevent spoilage, in accordance with the facility's policy. Both instances were observed and confirmed through interviews and record reviews.