Failure to Maintain Proper Refrigerator Temperatures and Food Labeling
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the [NAME] Hall nourishment refrigerator at or below the required temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit, as documented by multiple temperature logs showing readings consistently above this threshold over a period of two months. Staff recorded temperatures ranging from 42 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit on numerous occasions, yet there was no evidence that appropriate action was taken to address these out-of-range temperatures. The facility's own policy required staff to notify the Food Nutrition Services Director, or in their absence, Maintenance and the Administrator, if temperatures were not within standards, but the Maintenance Supervisor confirmed he was not notified of the high temperatures until much later. Additionally, food items stored in the nourishment refrigerator were not consistently labeled or dated as required by facility policy. During an observation, an unlabeled and undated half-eaten carton of spaghetti was found in the refrigerator. Staff interviews revealed a lack of knowledge regarding the correct temperature standards and the procedures for labeling and dating food items. Some staff believed the acceptable temperature range was higher than the regulatory requirement, and there was confusion about who was responsible for monitoring and addressing temperature deviations. The Dietary Manager stated she did not monitor the nourishment refrigerators on the nursing units, and the Maintenance Supervisor only checked the refrigerator temperature monthly. The Administrator and Director of Nursing both stated their expectations that the refrigerator should be maintained at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit and that all food items should be labeled and dated, but these expectations were not consistently met in practice. The deficiency affected 64 of the 111 residents residing on the [NAME] Hall.