Failure to Ensure Proper Hand Hygiene in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified regarding the facility's failure to ensure proper hand hygiene practices in the kitchen, as required to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. During meal preparation, the cook was observed performing hand hygiene with soap and water for less than the facility's required 20 seconds on multiple occasions. Additionally, the cook was seen donning gloves without performing hand hygiene beforehand, specifically before serving breakfast plates to staff for resident service. These actions were not in accordance with the facility's Infection Control Prevention and Control Program-Hand Hygiene Policy, which mandates hand hygiene before handling food and before donning gloves. The Certified Dietary Manager confirmed that the cook should have performed hand hygiene for at least 20 seconds and before putting on gloves. The facility's policy also specifies the use of alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water before and after handling food. The failure to follow these procedures had the potential to affect all 55 residents in the facility, as proper hand hygiene is considered the primary means to prevent the spread of infection.