Failure to Label and Date Leftover and Opened Food Items in Refrigerators
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that leftover and opened food items were properly labeled and dated when stored in refrigerators, as required by facility policy. During an observation of the kitchen's reach-in refrigerator, surveyors found two plates containing a hamburger and French fries, and one plate with pureed hamburger and pureed French fries, none of which were labeled or dated. The Dietary Manager confirmed that these items should have been labeled and dated according to policy. Additionally, the facility's policy for foods brought by family or visitors requires perishable foods to be stored in resealable containers with labels indicating the resident's name, the item, and a use-by date. Further observations in the nourishment refrigerator on one of the stations revealed an empty drink bottle, an opened box of strawberry snack cakes, and an opened bottle of a sports-themed beverage, none of which were labeled or dated. The Dietary Manager stated these items appeared to belong to staff and should not have been in the residents' refrigerator, and also confirmed they should have been labeled and dated. Multiple staff interviews, including with a CNA, LPN, RN, DON, and the Administrator, confirmed that staff were aware of the requirement to label and date all food items placed in the refrigerator and that the responsibility for checking and removing items rested with nursing staff.