Failure to Maintain Sanitary Kitchen Conditions
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain proper sanitation and cleanliness in the kitchen area, as required by professional standards for food service safety. Specifically, two overhead ceiling light covers in the cooking area contained numerous dead brown insects, and the ceiling vent in the dishwashing area was covered with a black substance. These conditions were directly observed during a kitchen inspection. Interviews with facility staff, including the Administrator, DON (who also serves as the Infection Preventionist), Dietician, and Food Service Supervisor (FSS), confirmed awareness of the issues. The Administrator and DON acknowledged the presence of brown spots and a dirty vent, while the FSS admitted to not having checked the light fixtures prior to the survey but was aware of dust on the vent. The Dietician was not previously aware of these sanitation issues. Review of facility policies indicated that all food service areas should be kept clean, sanitary, and free from insects and debris, but these standards were not met at the time of the survey.