Improper Food Storage and Staff Hygiene Lapses Identified
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly monitor and manage two resident-designated refrigerator/freezers used for storing food brought in from outside. During observations, multiple food items were found in both the North and South wing refrigerators and freezers that were either not labeled, not dated, or improperly stored, such as uncovered containers, items with no resident name or date, and perishable foods kept beyond the indicated time frame. The facility had posted signs with clear instructions for labeling and dating, but these were not consistently followed. Additionally, there was no assigned staff responsible for monitoring these refrigerators, and the responsibility was described as shared among all staff, resulting in lapses in compliance with storage protocols. Furthermore, a culinary services cook was observed transporting resident meals without a beard cover, despite having a full beard. Both the cook and the culinary services director were unaware of the requirement for beard restraints, and the facility's policy on employee hygiene and sanitary practices did specify the use of hair nets or beard restraints to prevent hair from contacting food, equipment, or utensils. The facility's policy on food brought in from outside did not address food stored for individual residents in common area refrigerators, contributing to the lack of oversight.