Failure to Ensure Proper Hand Hygiene During Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper hand hygiene practices during meal service, as observed in multiple instances involving dietary aides. On several occasions, dietary staff washed their hands for less than the required 20 seconds, turned off the faucet with their bare hands instead of using a paper towel, and subsequently proceeded to serve food or assist residents without following correct handwashing technique. These actions were directly observed during dining times, where staff either adjusted residents in their wheelchairs or handled food trays immediately after improper handwashing. Interviews with facility staff confirmed awareness of the improper hand hygiene practices, with acknowledgment that the correct technique was not followed during meal service. The facility's handwashing policy requires washing hands for 20 seconds, cleaning under nails and between fingers, rinsing without touching the faucet, and using a paper towel to turn off the faucet. However, the observed practices did not align with these standards, leading to the identified deficiency.