Improper Storage of Non-Food Items in Walk-In Refrigerator
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to store food under sanitary conditions in the walk-in refrigerator, where four bouquets of flowers were found lying on the shelves among fruits and vegetables. This was identified during an initial kitchen tour with the Dietary Supervisor and Corporate CDM, who both confirmed that the flowers should not have been stored in the refrigerator. The facility's Food Storage Policy requires that food storage areas be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner, and that perishable foods are stored immediately after delivery. The presence of non-food items, specifically flower bouquets intended for Nurses' week, among food items was documented with photographic evidence. This deficiency had the potential to affect 128 out of 133 residents who were eating orally at the time of the survey.