Failure to Ensure Staff Wore Hairnets During Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to serve food in a sanitary manner by not wearing hairnets while preparing and plating meals for residents on the 3rd floor of building 19. During observation, two staff members were seen using gloves but did not have their hair properly contained with hairnets as they stood over and handled food items, including fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, and buns. The food was brought into the facility for a special meal and was not served by dietary staff or from the kitchenette. Interviews with the assistant director of nursing, culinary director, director of dietary services, and director of nursing confirmed that the expectation was for staff to wear hairnets when plating food to prevent contamination. The facility's policy on dress, appearance, and hygiene also indicated that hair must be tied back and/or covered when required for sanitation reasons. The failure to follow these procedures had the potential to affect 32 residents residing on the 3rd floor of building 19.