Failure to Ensure Safe Reheating of Food and Beverages Brought in by Families
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective policy and procedure for the safe reheating of food and beverages brought in by family members for residents. The policy required staff to use a thermometer to ensure food was reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F and to follow a reheating chart and USDA guidelines. However, observations revealed that staff, including the Activities Director (AD), reheated a resident's coffee without checking its temperature and were unsure of the correct reheating temperature. The thermometer available in the kitchenette was not functioning, and there was no regular process to ensure thermometers were in working order. Additionally, the posted instructions in the kitchenette did not clearly address reheating beverages or specify the correct temperature. Interviews with staff indicated a lack of clarity and training regarding the proper procedures for reheating food and beverages brought in by families. The Food Service Director (FSD) and Regional FSD were unaware of the training provided to non-dietary staff, and the Staff Development Coordinator (SDC) could not provide documentation showing that the AD or Certified Nurses Aide (CNA) had received education on safe reheating practices. These lapses resulted in the facility not ensuring that food and beverages were reheated in accordance with professional standards to prevent potential foodborne illnesses.