Failure to Enforce Hair Restraint Policy in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the CNA Class Instructor entered the facility's kitchen during lunch service without wearing a hairnet, as observed by surveyors. At the time, kitchen staff were actively plating food on the steam table. The instructor entered the kitchen to hand a sticky note to a dietary staff member on the serving line and then exited. When questioned, the instructor acknowledged not wearing a hairnet, stating she was only delivering a note. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and the Administrator confirmed that all staff entering the kitchen are expected to wear hairnets to prevent hair from contaminating food, in accordance with facility policy. The facility's written policy also specifies that only dietary staff are allowed in the kitchen, and that any other staff entering must wear hair restraints. This lapse in protocol was directly observed and confirmed through staff interviews and policy review.