Failure to Monitor and Maintain Sanitation of Resident's Personal Refrigerator
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a personal refrigerator in a resident's shared room was found to be unsanitary and not properly monitored. The resident in question had severe cognitive impairment, required substantial to maximal staff assistance for mobility, and was dependent on staff for transfers. Diagnoses included hemiplegia, stroke, seizure disorder, and malnutrition. During observation, the refrigerator contained multiple unlabeled and undated food items, including plastic bags with unidentified contents, rolled aluminum foil, a cup with white liquid, and various containers. Temperature logs for the refrigerator were incomplete or missing for several dates, and a second refrigerator in the room was found unplugged and empty. A family member expressed concern about the cleanliness of the refrigerator, describing it as "very unsanitary." Interviews with staff revealed that nursing staff were responsible for checking and documenting refrigerator temperatures nightly, and that logs were to be turned in to management. However, the administrator was unable to provide complete temperature logs for the requested period, and the DON confirmed that the refrigerator should have been cleaned and logs updated prior to the survey. Facility policy required weekly temperature checks, removal of expired food, and monthly cleaning, but these procedures were not followed as observed and confirmed during the survey.