Failure to Maintain and Document Proper Dishwasher Sanitation Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that its low-temperature dishwasher consistently met the required minimum wash and rinse temperatures for proper sanitation, as well as failed to consistently monitor and document dishwasher temperatures. Observations and record reviews revealed that the dishwasher frequently operated below the minimum required temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, with numerous recorded temperatures ranging from as low as 85 to 137.8 degrees Fahrenheit over several months. Additionally, there were multiple instances where temperatures were not recorded at all, with several unrecorded entries each month. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of the low temperatures and lapses in documentation, but issues persisted despite attempts to address the problem, such as installing a holding tank and servicing the dishwasher. The dietary manager acknowledged knowledge of the ongoing temperature issues and admitted to not consistently checking the logs due to being busy. Dietary staff also reported recording temperatures below the required threshold and not notifying the manager of these deficiencies. The facility's policy required staff to monitor, record, and report dish machine temperatures, but these procedures were not consistently followed. There were no reports of gastrointestinal outbreaks related to this deficiency at the time of the survey.