Deficient Food Storage, Preparation, and Service Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety, as evidenced by multiple observations of unsanitary and unsafe kitchen conditions. Surveyors observed significant standing water covering half of the kitchen floor, a broken and leaking sink, uneven and missing floor tiles, and a collapsing ceiling with black spots above food preparation areas. The walk-in freezer had excessive ice buildup on the floor, walls, and food items, while the walk-in cooler contributed to the flooding issue. Staff interviews confirmed these issues were ongoing, had been repeatedly reported to management, and had persisted for months to years without resolution. No maintenance or service logs were available for the walk-in cooler or freezer. During meal service observations, staff were seen directly touching residents' food with ungloved hands on multiple occasions. One resident refused to eat a dessert after reporting that a staff member's finger had been in the food. Staff interviews confirmed that direct hand contact with food was against facility policy and that food should be replaced if touched. Additionally, room trays were observed with ill-fitting covers that did not properly protect the food during transport, and several trays sat uncovered and unserved in the hallway for extended periods, resulting in food being served at unsafe temperatures and melted ice cream. Facility policy documents reviewed by surveyors stated that food must be served at safe and appetizing temperatures, staff must never touch residents' food with bare hands, and food must be covered during transportation. The policies also required timely equipment repairs and regular defrosting of freezers. Despite these policies, the facility failed to maintain a safe and hygienic kitchen environment and did not ensure proper food handling and service practices, as evidenced by the direct observations and staff interviews.