Failure to Maintain Sanitary Food Service Equipment and Storage Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain food service equipment and ensure sanitary conditions in the kitchen, as observed during a kitchen tour. Specific deficiencies included a refrigerator with a ripped door seal and food particles in the door corner, as well as streaks and smears on the exterior that were easily removed when wiped. Seven meal trays used for serving residents had jagged edges, and four plate warmers that were supposed to be clean had dried food particles. Five steam table lids had bent corners and dried food residue. The garbage can lid had a white substance, and a rack with clean, ready-to-use pans and lids was found with wet and dirty items. Additionally, a trolley in the back kitchen hallway had a resident's used meal tray and an unknown pink substance on its exterior, contrary to staff procedures for tray placement. Further issues were identified in the walk-in cooler and freezer. The cooler had a trail of water leading into the freezer, and the freezer itself had thick snow and ice buildup on the door frame, ceiling, and above the fan, which prevented the door from closing properly. There was condensation and ice on the plastic curtains and door frame, and during a delivery, boxes were observed with wet marks from ceiling drips. The freezer floor was visibly wet, with water tracking back into the cooler. The Maintenance Director acknowledged awareness of the ice and snow buildup, attributing it to dietary staff not closing the freezer door tightly. The facility's sanitization policy requires all equipment and utensils to be washed and sanitized, and for manually washed items to air dry whenever practical, which was not consistently followed.