Failure to Document Food and Equipment Safety Measures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to consistently measure and record food temperatures at mealtimes and to document daily refrigerator and freezer temperatures during the evening shift. Observations revealed that temperature logs for the refrigerator and freezer were missing entries for multiple days on the evening shift, and when these logs were later filled in, the entries contained identical temperatures for each day, raising concerns about their accuracy. Dietary staff confirmed that temperatures were supposed to be recorded daily, both in the morning and evening, and that meal temperatures were to be taken for every meal served. However, the logs lacked documentation for numerous meals throughout the month. Additionally, staff were observed plating meals using dishes that had dried food particles, and there were resident complaints about dirty dishes. The facility also failed to record the chemical Parts Per Million (PPM) of the sanitizing solution in the Sanitizer Bucket Log three times a day as required. Review of the logs showed frequent omissions in documenting the PPM levels for the morning, afternoon, and evening shifts. Staff acknowledged the lack of documentation and stated that recording the PPM was necessary to ensure proper sanitization. Facility policies required that food be prepared and served in accordance with safe food handling practices, and that equipment and utensils be properly sanitized, but these procedures were not consistently followed.